‘Psycho’ Romance Scammer Locked Up for Life
An active romance fraudster with psychopathic traits and a chronic gambling problem has been sentenced indefinitely by an Alberta judge in an unusual decision for a non-violent offense.
Jeffrey Paul Kent, 55, was labeled a “dangerous offender” by Justice Melanie Hayes-Richards, a classification typically assigned to the province's most violent offenders. This enabled the judge to set an indefinite sentence – essentially a life term.
Feigned Brain Tumor
Kent deceived numerous women in Alberta and British Columbia by creating fake online relationships and persuading them to give him thousands of dollars through deceitful means. The overall loss surpassed $170K, with the majority directed towards gambling.
Court documents reveal that Kent deceived women through dating sites, pretending to love them and crafting intricate falsehoods to take their money. These consisted of him having advanced brain cancer or being in the midst of a business emergency and requiring financial assistance.
Kent, 55, has an extensive criminal record that extends to the early 1990s, with over a dozen convictions for fraud.
In April 2022, he admitted to defrauding five victims he encountered on dating sites during 2016 and 2017. In many instances, he went by the name “Jeff Sheridan” or “Jeff Sheenan,” claiming to be a criminal defense attorney, a retired Crown prosecutor, or a law professor.
He also asserted that he was a successful real-estate investor on the side, falsely stating that he owned hotels and mobile home parks. This enabled him to rationalize pressing financial demands, claiming to victims that he required assistance in finalizing profitable real estate transactions.
No Regret
A court-introduced forensic psychiatric evaluation determined that Kent shows psychopathic characteristics, such as absence of guilt, compulsive dishonesty, and emotional exploitation. The report highlighted his compulsive gambling addiction as a key factor in his criminal activities, pointing out that money obtained through fraud was rapidly squandered at casinos and betting venues.
"Using lie upon lie, he inserted himself into his victims’ lives, promising a bright and secure future. Instead, he wreaked havoc,” Hayes-Richard said.
“He is utterly indifferent to the effect of his criminal behavior on his victims and, in some cases, their children. He has been treated for and intellectually understands his criminal behavior. He is at high risk of reoffending by committing a serious personal injury offence,” she added.
In addition to indefinite incarceration, Kent has been ordered to pay restitution to his victims.
