Two CAF Reservists Arrested in Organized Crime and Kidnapping Probe

As CBC Toronto first reported, Toronto police arrested two members of the Canadian Armed Forces on Aug. 11.

The Department of National Defence (DND) stated the arrests involve allegations of firearms theft, kidnapping, and organized crime.

Toronto police spokesperson Nadine Ramadan stated that Sachintha Fernando, 22, and James Moreau, 29, face a combined 49 charges. Both men, who hold the rank of bombardier, are charged with forcible confinement, kidnapping for ransom, mischief interfering with property, and the use of a firearm during the commission of an indictable offence, as well as unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle. Reporting from CBC Toronto notes that Fernando faces additional charges for the careless storage of ammunition, possession of property obtained by crime, and unauthorized possession of a prohibited device.

The DND confirmed that both individuals are members of the 7 Toronto Regiment. Fernando joined as a reservist in January 2020 and has not been deployed. James Moreau enrolled as a reservist in March 2018 and served during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of Operation Laser in 2020. Following their arrests, both were removed from their duties and had their access to military bases and facilities restricted.

While the DND stated that Fernando and Moreau remain members of the armed forces pending an administrative review, the incident has raised questions regarding military oversight. Christian Leuprecht, a professor at Queens University and the Royal Military College, told CBC Radio's Metro Morning that while reservists do not hold the same sensitive positions of responsibility as regular force members, the Canadian Armed Forces must ensure members are properly supervised. Leuprecht noted that the organization is attempting to grow quickly to meet targets, though he described such incidents as outliers.