Traffic stop leads to impaired driving and drug charges
Two Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory residents have been arrested and charged with impaired driving and drug charges following a traffic stop on Highway 6.
On November 3, shortly after 12 am, members of the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on Highway 6 in Mongowin Township.
During the stop, police determined that the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages and was arrested for impaired driving. Police also determined that one of the passengers was wanted on other charges and they were subsequently arrested.
Police conducted a search and located drugs suspected to be fentanyl and methamphetamine.
As a result of the investigation, two people have been charged. Jessica Manitowabi, 37, from Wiikwemkoong has been charged with operation while impaired, alcohol and drugs, operation while impaired, blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), possession of schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, drive vehicle with cannabis readily available, and driving motor vehicle with liquor readily available. The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on December 4.
Misty Plume, 45, also from Wiikwemkoong, has been charged with possession of a schedule 1 substance, opioid (other than heroin) and failure to comply with release order other than to attend court.
The accused were held in custody and scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury on November 6.
Anishinabek Police Services and Manitoulin OPP investigating a homicide
Additional arrest made
On November 5 the Manitoulin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Crime Unit, the OPP Community Street Crime Unit, the North East Region OPP Emergency Response Team and members of the Manitoulin detachment of the OPP executed a warrant that had been issued for the arrest of a person involved in assisting in committing an indictable offence after the fact, involving an ongoing homicide investigation in Sagamok First Nation.
As a result, Justin Solomon, 39, from Sagamok First Nation was arrested and charged with: accessory after the fact to commit indictable offence, section 463(b) of the criminal code (CC), possession of schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl, section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances act (CDSA), possession of schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking, methamphetamine, section 5 (2) CDSA, possession of schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, section 5(2) CDSA, failure to comply with release order-other than to attend court, section 145(5)(a)CC.
The accused was held in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in Sudbury on November 17.
On October 12, the Manitoulin OPP reported that they had arrested and charged one person in connection with a death in Sagamok First Nation. On September 24, 2023, shortly before 6 am, members of the Manitoulin detachment of the OPP responded to an assault with a weapon on Sagamok Road in Sagamok First Nation. Upon arrival, police learned that one person had sustained life-threatening injuries from an edged weapon and was transported to an area hospital by Sudbury-Manitoulin Paramedic Services. The victim, Sonny Toulouse, 46, from Sagamok, later died from those injuries.
As a result of the investigation, Stevie Ray Southwind, 32, from Sagamok First Nation has been arrested and charged with second degree murder, section 235(1) of the criminal code (CC), and three counts of fail to comply with probation order, section 162.2(4) of the CC. The accused was held in custody and was scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury on October 12.
The investigation is being conducted by the Manitoulin OPP Crime Unit and the Anishinabek Police Service under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, and in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner, Ontario Forensic Pathology Services and OPP Forensic Identification Services.
If anyone has further information regarding this incident, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or your nearest police service. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit your tip online at www.ontaricrimestoppers.com where you may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
