Category: Fort Frances

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

MORRISON Arrested For Drunk Driving

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Fort Frances arrested and charged an impaired driver following a series of public complaints.

On May 9, 2025, at approximately 10:30 pm, the OPP in Fort Frances received a 9-1-1 call reporting an intoxicated person in the Webster Avenue North area of town. A short while later police received additional calls reporting the same subject was driving and fleeing the area.

Police located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was obviously impaired and was arrested at the scene. The driver was transported to the Fort Frances Detachment where additional breath testing was completed by way of demand.

Jana Raelle MORRISON, 27-years-old from Devlin ON is charged criminally with: impaired operation alcohol or drug, and impaired operation blood alcohol concentration 80 mgs and over. The accused was also charged with having open liquor and failing to wear a seat belt. The accused’s driver license was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

The accused was released by police and is scheduled for first appearance in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on June 16, 2025.

The Rainy River District Detachment OPP would like to thank the public for their help in this case. If you suspect someone is driving impaired call 9-1-1. Road safety is everyone’s shared responsibility. 

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

Benjamin HUMBERT Was Arrested – Details Released

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – An officer with the Fort Frances Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped an impaired driver leaving a licensed establishment.

On April 14, 2025, at approximately 12:00 am, an officer with the Fort Frances OPP witnessed a person with unsteady gait leave a licensed establishment on King’s Highway and get behind the wheel.

The officer stopped the vehicle and demanded a roadside alcohol test. The driver failed the test, was arrested, and transported to the Fort Frances OPP Detachment where additional breath testing was completed.

Benjamin HUMBERT, 28-years-old, from International Falls MN is charged criminally with one count each of impaired operation alcohol or drug, and impaired operation blood alcohol concentration 80 milligrams or over. The accused’s driver licence was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

The accused was released by police and has a first appearance in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on May 12, 2025.

There is no excuse for any driver to operate a motor vehicle while impaired. Even one life lost to an impaired driver will always be one too many. The OPP continues in its efforts to keep impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. We need drivers to do their part to make our roads safe.

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

Deidrick SMITH Was Arrested

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – An officer with the Fort Frances Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) found an impaired driver after witnessing aggressive driving behaviour.

On April 13, 2025, at approximately 12:30 am, an officer with the Fort Frances OPP observed a pick-up truck rapidly accelerating on Crowe Avenue. The vehicle was stopped, and a roadside screening test was demanded. The driver failed the test and was placed under arrest.

The driver was transported to the Fort Frances Detachment where additional breath testing was completed by way of demand.

Deidrick SMITH, 26-years-old, from Emo, ON is charged criminally with one count each of impaired operation alcohol or drug, and impaired operation blood alcohol concentration 80 milligrams or over. The accused’s driver licence was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days. The accused also received provincial offence notices for unnecessary noise and expired validation.

The accused was released by police and has a first appearance in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on May 26, 2025.

Did you know that increased risk taking is one of the effects of alcohol consumption? Studies show that males in the 21 – 34 year old age group are at highest risk for fatal crashes.

The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 9-1-1 to report it. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

John Peter SPOON – Impaired Operation

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) stopped by the Fort Frances Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) resulted in the arrest of an impaired driver.

On April 12, 2025, at approximately 5:00 pm, the Fort Frances OPP observed an ATV operating with two helmetless riders in the Christie Avenue North area of Town. The ATV was stopped and the officer determined that the driver was obviously impaired by alcohol. The driver was arrested at the scene. When the driver was searched incident to arrest, a large quantity of suspected Schedule I – Percocet was located.

The driver was transported to the Fort Frances Detachment for further investigation and breath testing.

John Peter SPOON, 54-years-old, from Seine River ON is charged criminally with one count each of impaired operation alcohol or drug, failure or refusal to provide a breath sample, and possession of a controlled substance (Schedule I – opioid) for the purpose of trafficking. The accused’s driver licence was suspended for 90 days, and the ATV was impounded for seven days.

The accused was released by police and has a first appearance in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on May 26, 2025.

The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 9-1-1 to report it. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

Repeat Offender Arrested For Murder

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – A missing person has been located deceased, and one person has been arrested and charged with second degree murder in Fort Frances.  

On Thursday, April 3, 2025, members of the Fort Frances Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a missing person, identified as Curtis MEDICINE, 41 years old of Rainy River First Nation. On Saturday, April 5, 2025, police located the male deceased in a residence on Fifth Street West.

A postmortem will be conducted at the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS) in Toronto.

As a result of the investigation, Joseph DESROSIERS, 53 years old of Fort Frances, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

·      Second degree murder, section 235(1)

·      Indignity to dead body, section 182(b)

·      Failure to comply with release order, section 145(5)(a)

The accused has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

There is no threat to public safety. Residents can continue to expect a police presence in the area for the investigation.

The OPP North West Region Crime Unit is continuing the investigation under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the OFPS. Assistance is being provided by OPP Forensic Identification Services.

Anyone who has not yet spoken with investigators and has information in relation to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Fort Frances OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

Walter MAINVILLE Was Arrested

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – A motorist stopped for a moving violation was arrested for impaired driving.

On March 28, 2025, at approximately 9:00 pm, an officer with the Fort Frances Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped a vehicle in the Scott Street area of town for disobeying a stop sign. The officer detected that the driver had been drinking and demanded an approved screening device test. The driver failed the test and was arrested at the scene for further investigation.  

Walter MAINVILLE, 43-years-old from Fort Frances is charged criminally with one count of impaired operation drug and alcohol, and one count of failure or refusal to comply with a demand. The accused was also charged with provincial offences for disobeying a sign, turn not in safety and failing to notify change of address. The accused’s driver licence was suspended for 90 days, and the involved vehicle was impounded for seven days.

The accused was released by police and has a first appearance in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on May 5, 2025, to speak to the charges.   

The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 9-1-1 to report it.

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

Drug Bust – Names Released

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) drug trafficking investigation concluded with several arrests and the seizure of drugs, currency and offence related property.

On March 26, 2025, the Fort Frances OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) working with the OPP North West Region Intelligence Unit (NWRIU), Kenora OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), Treaty Three Police, the OPP North West Region Emergency Response Team (ERT), and the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU) executed search warrants in Fort Frances and Rainy River.

Seven people were arrested during the warrant execution and police seized approximately 130 grams of cocaine, approximately $2000 in Canadian currency, as well as fraudulent identification, financial cards and other offence related property.

As a result of the investigation, two of the individuals were charged and held by police for a bail hearing.

Mitchell JONES-FOY, 29-years-old of Fort Frances is charged with possession of a Schedule I substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime, and possession of an identity document. 

David Ryan NELSON, 41-years-old of Scarborough is charged with possession of a Schedule I substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime, possession of a credit card, and possession of an identity document.

Both subjects have been released in bail court and are to appear next in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on April 28, 2025, to speak to the charges.

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

Trion JOURDAIN Was Arrested

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – An impaired driver was charged with several offences after a proactive traffic stop.  

On March 22, 2025, at approximately 10:00 pm, an officer with the Fort Frances Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped a vehicle in the Minnie Avenue area of town.  

Roadside investigation determined that the driver was showing obvious signs of impairment. The driver was arrested at the scene and transported to the Fort Frances Detachment for further investigation.   

Trion JOURDAIN, 29-years-old, from Fort Frances is charged criminally with one count operation while impaired drugs and alcohol, and one count of failure or refusal to comply with a demand. The accused was additionally charged with provincial offences related to novice driver and licensing violations as well as having open liquor in the vehicle. The involved vehicle was impounded for seven days, and the accused received a 90-day licence suspension.

The accused was released by police and is scheduled to appear in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on April 28, 2025, to answer to the charges.

The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 9-1-1 to report it.

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

Erica Stonefish Facing Numerous Charges

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – An impaired driver was charged with several offences after a proactive traffic stop to check sobriety.  

On March 7, 2025, at approximately 7:30 pm, an officer with the Fort Frances Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped a suspicious vehicle in the 5th Street East area of town.  

Investigation determined that the driver was suspended and showing obvious signs of impairment. The driver was arrested at the scene and transported to the Fort Frances Detachment where a drug recognition evaluation was completed by one of the Detachment’s Drug Recognition Experts.  

Erica Stonefish, 42-years-old, from Fort Frances is charged with the following offences:

·      Operation while impaired drugs and alcohol

·      Fail to comply with a release order

·      Driving while under suspension

·      Novice driver presence of drug

·      Drive motor vehicle with open container of liquor

·      Drive motor vehicle with cannabis readily available

·      Use plate not authorized for vehicle

The accused received an additional 90-day licence suspension, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days. The accused was held in custody and has a bail hearing scheduled for March 12, 2025, in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice.

The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 9-1-1 to report it.

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

43 Year Old Arrested Following 911 Call – Details Released

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – An impaired driver was taken off the road thanks to a 9-1-1 call from a concerned citizen.  

On March 7, 2025, at approximately 3:00 pm, the Fort Frances Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a 9-1-1 call from a concerned citizen who reported seeing an obviously impaired driver in the Flinders Avenue area of town.  

Officers located the vehicle in the Walmart parking lot and conducted field sobriety testing on the driver. The roadside testing confirmed that the driver was impaired by drug. The driver was arrested at the scene and transported to the Fort Frances Detachment where a drug recognition evaluation was completed by one of the Detachment’s Drug Recognition Experts.  

Brianna van Dulmen, 43-years-old, from Fort Frances is charged criminally with one count of impaired operation alcohol or drug.   

The accused driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days. The accused was released by the Fort Frances OPP and is scheduled to appear in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on March 31, 2025, to speak to the charges.

The OPP relies on the public to report crime. Impaired driving is a serious crime that should be treated no differently. No amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe when driving. If you know or suspect that a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 9-1-1. In doing so, you may save a life. 

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

Councillor Arrested For Impaired Driving – Name Released

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – Treaty Three Police assist Fort Frances OPP to recover a stolen vehicle with an impaired driver.  

On March 2, 2025, at approximately 2:00 pm, the Fort Frances Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a stolen vehicle from a residence in Fort Frances. Treaty Three Police located and stopped the vehicle in Couchiching First Nation Territory.   

Investigation determined that there was open liquor in the vehicle and the driver was obviously impaired.  The driver was arrested at the scene and transported to the Fort Frances Detachment where additional impaired driving testing was completed. The driver submitted to a drug recognition evaluation and was found to be impaired.

Ashley Councillor, 37-years-old, from Couchiching First Nation is charged criminally with one count of impaired operation alcohol or drug, and one count of take motor vehicle without consent. The accused was also charged provincially with an open liquor and driver’s licence offence.   

The accused driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was returned to the registered owner. The accused was released by the Fort Frances OPP and is scheduled to appear in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on April 7, 2025, to speak to the charges.

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

Drug Bust – Names Released

(FORT FRANCES , ON) – Members of the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested and charged multiple individuals for drug related offences after conducting a traffic stop in the Town of Fort Frances.

On February 11, 2025, shortly after 10:30 p.m., officers from Rainy River District OPP (Fort Frances) conducted a traffic stop that led officers to enter a criminal investigation after police located a male in the vehicle who was breaching his release conditions.

Police conducted a further search of the vehicle and located items that led police to initiate a drug investigation of the motor vehicle and the occupants in the motor vehicle.

Police seized:

  • Approximately $3300.00 in Canadian Currency,
  • Approximately 24 grams of suspected Cocaine
  • Approximately 5 grams of Methamphetamine
  • Approximately 13 grams of Fentanyl

As a result of the investigation police have arrested and charged the following individuals:

GABRIEL TUESDAY – 33 year old male from Big Grassy First Nation

  • Section 5(2) – CDSA – Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine
  • Section 5(2) – CDSA – Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl
  • Section 5(2) – CDSA – Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
  • Section 145(5)(a) – Criminal Code – Breach of Release Order x 4
  • Section 354(1)(a) – Criminal Code- Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000

Male was held for a bail hearing on the 12th of February 2025 and remanded to the Fort Frances Jail.

KAMRYN SINGLETON – 23 year old female from Couchiching First Nation

  • Section 5(2) – CDSA – Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine
  • Section 5(2) – CDSA – Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl
  • Section 5(2) – CDSA – Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
  • Section 354(1)(a) – Criminal Code- Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000

Female was held for a bail hearing on the 12th of February 2025 and remanded to the Fort Frances Jail.

BRADLEY DUSTIN -54 year old male from Fort Frances. ON

  • Section 5(2) – CDSA – Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine
  • Section 5(2) – CDSA – Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl
  • Section 5(2) – CDSA – Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
  • Section 354(1)(a) – Criminal Code- Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000

Male was held for a bail hearing on the 12th of February 2025 and released from custody by the courts.

REEVA CHEIFSON – 30 year old female from Fort Frances ON

  • Section 5(2) – CDSA – Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine
  • Section 5(2) – CDSA – Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl
  • Section 5(2) – CDSA – Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
  • Section 354(1)(a) – Criminal Code- Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000

Female was held for a bail hearing on the 12th of February 2025 and released from custody by the courts.

Members of the Rainy River District OPP are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.p3tips.com/273

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

Break & Enter – 3 Arrested

(FORT FRANCES , ON) – Rainy River District Detachment (Fort Frances) of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested three individuals following an investigation of a Break and Enter into a residence.

On January 26, 2025, just after 01:00 a.m. members of the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), were dispatched to reports of a Break and Enter at a Fort Frances address

Upon attending the residence police observed signs that someone had recently been inside the residence other than the owner.

As a result of the investigation, the following individuals have been arrested:

Stanley WENELL-JACK – 45 year old male from Fort Frances ON

  • Break and Enter dwelling house
  • Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose

Held in custody , appeared before Fort Frances Bail Court on 27 January 2025

Chandler MEDICINE 26 year old male from Emo ON

  • Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Released from custody – 03 March 2025 – Ontario Court of Justice of Fort Frances

Alysha BIGGEORGE 37 year old female from Fort Frances ON

  • Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Released from custody – 03 March 2025 – Ontario Court of Justice of Fort Frances

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.p3tips.com/273 where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

Meth Bust – Names Released

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – On Saturday January 4, 2025, members of the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in collaboration with the Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) conducted a search warrant on Birch Road in the Town of Fort Frances as part of an on-going ciminal investigation.

Police seized a quantity of suspected Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Psilocybin. , and other offence-related property. 

The drugs seized in this investigation have an estimated street value of $26,000.

As a result of the investigation, Sylvia MCKINNON, 58-year-old female of Fort Frances , has been arrested and charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with the following offences:

  • Possession of a schedule I substance for purpose of trafficking-Fentanyl
  • Possession of a schedule I substance for purpose of trafficking-Methamphetamine
  • Possession of schedule III substance for the purpose of trafficking -Psilocybin

Amanda HUNTER , 40-year-old female from Fort Frances has been arrested and charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with the following offences:

  • Possession of a schedule I substance for purpose of trafficking-Fentanyl
  • Possession of a schedule I substance for purpose of trafficking-Methamphetamine
  • Possession of schedule III substance for the purpose of trafficking -Psilocybin

Jason ELLMAN , 41-year-old male from Fort Frances has been arrested and charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with the following offences:

  • Possession of a schedule I substance for purpose of trafficking-Fentanyl
  • Possession of a schedule I substance for purpose of trafficking-Methamphetamine
  • Possession of schedule III substance for the purpose of trafficking -Psilocybin

All accused were released from police custody and are set to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on March 03, 2025, in Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances.

If you have information of any crime activity in the area, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or *OPP (677) on your mobile phone. Your call could make our communities safer for all. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or submit a tip online at  where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.http://www.p3tips.com/273

Categories
Fort Frances OPP Police Press Releases

Jordan LOYIE Was Arrested Again

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – A single vehicle collision with a fire hydrant ended with criminal charges for an impaired driver.  

On January 3, 2025, at approximately 12:30 am, members of the Fort Frances Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a single vehicle collision in the Williams Avenue and Fifth Street East area of Town.  

Investigation determined that the driver was impaired by a substance, and they were transported to the Fort Frances Detachment for further investigation. A Drug Recognition Evaluation was completed which confirmed that the driver was impaired. Additionally, the driver was found to be in violation of a curfew.  

Jordan LOYIE, 33-years-old, from Fort Frances is charged criminally with one count of impaired operation alcohol or drug, one count of dangerous operation, and one count of fail to comply with a judicial release order. 

The accused driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days. The accused was remanded to custody and is scheduled to appear in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on January 6, 2025, for a bail hearing.