Massive Police Corruption in GTA

Seven Toronto Police Service officers, including a Barrie resident, one retired Toronto Police Service officer from Barrie and numerous additional suspects have been arrested and charged in a seven-month York Regional Police investigation into organized crime and corruption.

The active and retired officer from Barrie are a father and son, police said at a news conference this morning at York Regional Police headquarters in Aurora.

"While this is a deeply disappointing and sad day for policing, this investigation also underscores the insidious, corrosive nature of organized crime, and highlights how these criminals find a way to infiltrate even the most well protected institutions across our society," said Chief Jim MacSween.

"This news is shocking and completely unacceptable," he added. "Corruption has no place in policing — it is never, and will never, be tolerated.”

The Project South investigation, which involved more than 300 officers, began last June when police uncovered a conspiracy to commit murder at the home of a corrections services manager in York Region, York Regional Police Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan said.

On June 20, a vehicle at the residence collided with a marked cruiser stationed at the home, resulting in the arrests of two youths and one adult, Almar Heath.

Investigators allege that prior to this incident, Toronto Const. Timothy Barnhardt had unlawfully accessed a police database, performing a query that produced confidential information that was released to criminal networks, Hogan said.

Police then found evidence of numerous unlawful queries alleged to be conducted by Barnhardt and other officers within the Toronto Police Service. In multiple cases, investigators determined the addresses returned by the unlawful queries were later the location of criminal incidents, including extortion, commercial robberies and shootings.

Investigators allege that the confidential information gleaned from the queries was shared with Brian Da Costa, Elwyn Satanowsky and others, who police believe are known to various criminal networks.

Three of the officers and one retired officer have been charged with offences related to unlawful queries and the distribution of confidential, personal information, police said.

At the scene of a shooting in Vaughan in September, police arrested Innisfil resident Kaejean Doman, who was alleged to be in possession of a firearm police believe was imported illegally into Canada. Forensic examination has since connected that weapon to at least eight shootings across southern Ontario, Hogan said.

Doman has been charged with a number of firearm-related offences and remains in custody.

Police allege that Doman, along with Median Jackson and Devonte Barker Campbell, had access to confidential information obtained by Barnhardt and were recruiting others to conduct crimes at various locations.

As the investigation unfolded, police also uncovered a plan, allegedly led by Da Costa, in which Toronto police officers intended to support the operation of illegal cannabis dispensaries by accepting bribes to obstruct possible enforcement action.

Four officers face bribery charges in connection with the operation.

Three Toronto officers also face charges related to the trafficking of cocaine. One officer faces charges for the theft of personal property, which included driver's licences, health cards, passports and credit cards.

Project South investigators also arrested numerous suspects who face charges for the commercial drug trafficking of cocaine, methamphetamine, illicit cannabis, fentanyl, heroin and oxycodone.

“We will not rest until we are sure corrupt, criminal actors and anyone abusing their power as a police officer is held accountable,” MacSween said, highlighting the investigation is ongoing.

"The investigating officers represent the very best in what we expect of our police officers, demonstrating integrity, professionalism, ethical investigations and a commitment to uncovering the truth and holding offenders accountable —including fellow police officers,” Hogan said.

“We understand this news is deeply disappointing for Torontonians and our members,” Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Demkiw said at today's news conference. “Throughout this investigation, our highest priority was to do everything possible to respond in a way that preserves the trust of the people we serve.

"From Day 1, that has meant offering our full support to the York Regional Police Service, and to pursuing the evidence, wherever it leads. We have left no stone unturned. These are serious allegations and I can assure Torontonians they will be met with an equally serious response from our service.”

Arrests and charges:

Timothy Barnhardt, 56, of Mississauga, Toronto Police Service constable
Peace Officer Accept a Bribe
Breach of Trust by Public Officer
Unauthorized Use of Computer
Traffic Property Obtained by Crime Not Exceeding $5000
Traffic in Substance (Oxycodone)
Traffic in Substance (Cocaine)
Traffic in Substance (Xanax)
Traffic in Substance (Adderall)
Traffic in Substance (MDMA)
Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice
Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice
Conspiracy to Commit Public Mischief – Falsely Accuse Person
Peace Office Conspiracy to Accept a Bribe • Conspiracy to Traffic in Substance (Cocaine) • Careless Storage of Firearm
Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose • Possess Firearm at a Place Not Under Firearms Act

Robert Black, 42, of Vaughan, Toronto Police Service sergeant
Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Adderall)
Counsel an Uncommitted Indictable Offence: Fraud Exceeding $5000
John Madeley (Sr.), 55, of Barrie, Toronto Police Service constable (retired)

Breach of Trust by Public Officer
Unauthorized Use of Computer (x4)
Possess Firearm at Unauthorized Place
Possession of Prohibited Device
Possession of Prohibited Weapon
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
Breach of Trust by Public Officer
Unauthorized Use of Computer

John Madeley (Jr.), 29, of Barrie, Toronto Police Service constable
Breach of Trust by Public Officer
Unauthorized Use of Computer

Carl Grellette, 49, of Vaughan, Toronto Police Service sergeant
Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice
Breach of Trust by Public Officer
Mischief Not Exceeding $5000
Harassment by Repeated Following Another Person

Saurabjit Bedi, 38, of Caledon, Toronto Police Service constable
Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice
Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice
Conspiracy to Commit Public Mischief – Falsely Accuse Person
Peace Officer Conspiracy to Accept a Bribe • Conspiracy to Traffic in Substance
Traffic in Substance

Derek McCormick, 57, of Toronto, Toronto Police Service constable
Theft Under $5,000 (x4)
Breach of Trust by Public Officer
Obstruction of Justice

Elias Mouawad, 24, of Mississauga, Toronto Police Service constable
Breach of Trust by Public Officer
Unauthorized Use of Computer

Almar Heath, 28, of Toronto
Conspiracy to Commit Murder
Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Disguise with Intent
Flight from Peace Officer
Two unnamed youths, of Toronto, each charged with:
Conspiracy to Commit Murder
Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Disguise with Intent

Brian Da Costa, 43, of Toronto
Cannabis Marihuana for the Purpose of Distribution
Possession of Cannabis Marihuana for the Purpose of Exportation
Possess Substance for Purpose of Trafficking
Give Peace Officer Bribe
Unauthorized Use of Computer
Traffic Property Obtained by Crime Not Exceeding $5,000
Traffic in Substance (Oxycodone)
Traffic in Substance (MDMA)
Traffic in Substance (Xanax)
Traffic in Substance (Adderall)
Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice
Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice
Conspiracy to Commit Public Mischief – Falsely Accuse Person
Conspiracy to Give Peace Officer Bribe
Export Cannabis
Fail to Comply with Release Order

Mahyar Soldouzi, 42, of Vaughan
Conspiracy to Commit an Extortion
Ryan Cribbie, 33, of Barrie
Conspiracy to Commit an Extortion
Careless Storage of Firearm
Careless Storage of Firearm

Kaejean Doman, 23, of Innisfil
Discharge Firearm with Intent (x8)
Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Flight from a Peace Officer
Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition (x8)
Attempt to Commit Murder
Conspiracy to Commit Murder
Discharge Firearm – Recklessness

Median Jackson, 32, of Mississauga
Conspiracy to Commit Murder
Discharge Firearm – Recklessness
Devonte Barker-Campbell, 31, of Toronto
Conspiracy to Commit Murder

Calvin Ru, 26, of Markham
Fail to Comply with Release Order

Rimssen Younan, 32, of Brampton
Traffic in Substance (Oxycodone)
Fail to comply with Release Order
Fail to comply with Release Order
Traffic in Substance (Oxycodone)
Traffic in Substance (Cocaine)

Daljit Singh, 32, of Milton
Unauthorized Use of Computer

Brandi Dixon, 35, of Mississauga
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Heroin)
Possession of a Controlled Substance (Crystal Methamphetamine)
Possession of a Controlled Substance (Oxycodone)
Careless Storage of Firearm
Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
Possession of a Restricted or Prohibited Firearm
Possess a Firearm Knowing the Serial Number Has Been Altered
Fail to Comply with Release Order

Robinson Alexandre, 34, of Toronto
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Methamphetamine)
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Distributing Cannabis
Possession of Proceeds Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
Identity Theft
Possession of Forged Document

Ashor Bato, 31, of Bradford
Traffic in Substance (Oxycodone)
Traffic in Substance (Cocaine)
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Oxycodone)
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)
Possess Proceeds Obtained by Crime Exceeding $5,000

Donald Kirkland, 62, of Toronto
Traffic in Substance (Oxycodone)
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (“Acid”)
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Psilocybin)
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (GHB)
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (MDMA)
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Methamphetamine)
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Oxycodone)
Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distributing

Elwyn Satanowsky, 34, of Richmond Hill
Conspiracy to Discharge Firearm with Intent to Injure
Discharge Firearm – Recklessness
Conspiracy to Discharge Firearm – Recklessness
Discharge Firearm – Recklessness
Discharge Firearm – Recklessness
Discharge Firearm – Recklessness
Discharge Firearm – Recklessness
Conspiracy to Discharge Firearm – Recklessness
Discharge Firearm – Recklessness
Discharge Firearm – Recklessness
Conspiracy to Discharge Firearm – Recklessness
Unauthorized Use of Computer

Phillip Lecos, 49, of King
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Exceeding $5,000

Jennifer Jasey, 57, of Toronto
Mischief Not Exceeding $5,000
Harassment by Repeated Following Another Person
Possess a Restricted Firearm Knowing Its Possession is Unauthorized
Careless Storage of a Firearm.