Former Toronto Cop Sentenced in Project South Corruption Probe
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Derek McCormick pleads guilty to theft and breach of trust after stealing a cellphone for a fellow officer described as the 'genesis' of a wide-ranging corruption investigation.
Former Toronto police constable Derek McCormick pleaded guilty Tuesday to theft under $5,000 and breach of trust (stealing found property) in the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto, according to CityNews Toronto.
Justice Jonathan Bliss sentenced the 57-year-old retired officer to a 10-month conditional sentence, which includes five months of house arrest and five months of a 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew. As part of the sentence, McCormick is prohibited from consuming alcohol or non-prescription substances, CBC Toronto reports.
According to an agreed statement of facts cited by CBC Toronto, McCormick stole a cellphone turned in by a member of the public at 52 division in October 2025. He stole the device for Toronto police Const. Timothy Barnhardt, who had requested burner phones. Crown prosecutor Vlatko Karadzic stated that McCormick suffered from PTSD and a painkiller addiction, noting that Barnhardt sold Percocet pills to McCormick at least 10 times between August and December 2025.
While four other charges—including obstruction of justice and three additional counts of theft—were withdrawn, the case is tied to "Project South." CityNews Toronto reports the investigation began in June 2025 following a plot to murder a corrections management member. York Regional Police alleged that seven Toronto police officers improperly accessed confidential databases to funnel information to criminals, leading to shootings and violent offenses. Global News Toronto reports the investigation further alleged links between police, jail guards, and the drug network of Ryan Wedding.
McCormick's lawyer, Gary Clewley, stated his client had no link to the broader conspiracy. Crown prosecutor Karadzic described McCormick as a "peripheral player," though CBC Toronto notes McCormick previously disposed of approximately 120 items—including Colombian passports and driver's licenses—in a sewer.
McCormick retired in July after 28 years of service, following a May suspension without pay, according to CBC Toronto.