Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press
Posted Sunday February 19, 2023 5:18 pm EST
A Quebec man was found Sunday guilty on multiple counts over his role in the kidnapping of a couple in their 70s from upstate New York in September 2020.
A jury convicted Gary Arnold on five counts, including kidnapping, racketeering and conspiracy to kidnap James and Sandra Helm of Moira, NY
The Helms were taken from their home, smuggled into Quebec by boat through the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne, and held in a cottage in Magog, Que. for two days before he was rescued unharmed by a Quebec provincial police tactical unit on September 29, 2020.
Prosecutors said Arnold was one of four men behind a conspiracy to kidnap the couple.
The Crown argued the couple were kidnapped as leverage to recover 110 pounds of cocaine, $3.5 million in cash or their grandson Mackenzie, who was arrested with the drugs in Vermont six days earlier.
A total of 10 calls were made to the couple’s son, Michael Helm, asking for ransom or his nephew.
James Helm died before trial, but Sandra Helm testified that Arnold was one of two masked men in her bedroom on the night of September 27, 2020 when the couple was kidnapped.
Arnold’s prepaid cell phone was also discovered hanging from a cellphone tower near the Helms’ home when they were kidnapped. Prosecutors argued that Arnold was important because of his contacts and knowledge of how to get into Quebec through the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation from a previous cigarette smuggling conviction.
Prosecutors noted that phone records indicated that Arnold was in constant contact with the co-conspirators.
Arnold was never seen at the cabin where the Helms were being held about 125 kilometers southeast of Montreal.
The four other co-defendants were arrested the same day the Helms were rescued.
Arnold was intercepted in a farmer’s field and his phone was confiscated. He was arrested on October 1, 2020.
Arnold, 54, testified at his trial that he acted under threats against his life and family, had no knowledge of a kidnapping plan, never met any member of the Helm family and denied being at the couple’s home .
He said he followed directions from a man named “Big,” who directed him to perform various tasks, such as transporting phones, sending text messages and picking up catheters that Sandra Helm needed.
Arnold said he received a threatening letter at home summoning him to a meeting a few days before the Helms were kidnapped. Days later, he said in court, the same “Big” showed him photos of his wife and their daughters during a threatening meeting at a mall.
Arnold testified that he acted out of fear when he decided to do what Big asked of him instead of contacting the authorities. Because of this fear, he kept his silence even after his arrest.
His lawyer argued his involvement was “non-criminal” and that threats were the basis for his actions.
The dozen jurors returned the verdicts after they were seized on February 7 and began deliberations the following day. They were not told that the co-defendants in the case had pleaded guilty and are serving their sentences in the past year.
Arnold faced seven charges, but two counts of incarceration were withdrawn.
The case returns for the March 6 sentencing phase.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on February 19, 2023.
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