Court documents reveal that suspects orchestrated a plot to harm a senior corrections officer at Toronto South Detention Centre, sparking a police corruption and organized crime investigation dubbed Project South. Using aliases on an encrypted messaging platform, the suspects allegedly planned the hit before the attempted murder, sharing personal details and photos of the target via the Signal app.
The Crown prosecutors’ factum, filed in Ontario Superior Court, details how an alleged gun-for-hire network was behind the attempted hit, as revealed in chats found on seized cellphones. The investigation commenced in June 2025 after York Regional Police intervened and prevented the planned attack outside the officer’s residence.
Initially, nearly 30 individuals, including seven Toronto police officers and one retired constable, faced charges in Project South. Recently, one officer pleaded guilty, while another civilian’s charge was stayed. Allegations suggest that suspects utilized the Signal app to coordinate the hit, discussing recruitment, job pricing, and money distribution.
The court records indicate that suspects communicated via Signal, with one individual, identified as “Dwayne Casey,” attempting to recruit others for the hit on the corrections officer. Despite encountering challenges with their stolen vehicle, the suspects proceeded with their plan, leading to the interception by police at the officer’s home.
Charges of conspiracy to murder the corrections officer have been laid against Almar Heath, Median Jackson, Dequon Lemonious, Devonte Barker-Campbell, and two unidentified youths. However, these allegations are yet to be proven in court. While legal representatives for some of the accused declined to comment, investigations revealed a Toronto police officer’s involvement in unlawfully obtaining information about the officer.
The factum also mentions that the suspect vehicle was observed near the officer’s home days before the takedown, with a masked individual confronting the officer’s grandfather. Subsequent police surveillance led to the arrests of the suspects involved in the alleged murder plot. Additionally, footage on a suspect’s phone showed discussions regarding a previous shooting incident at a restaurant.
The unfolding details shed light on the intricate web of events surrounding the Project South investigation, emphasizing the gravity of the alleged criminal activities orchestrated through encrypted communication channels.