WIIKWEMKOONG—The four accused in a vicious assault that sent a 39-year-old Wiikwemkoong man to the intensive care unit at Health Sciences North earlier this month are facing new more serious charges following their Friday, May 26 court appearance.
The Wikwemikong Tribal Police, with assistance from the North East Region Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Crime Unit and under the direction of Detective Staff Sergeant Gerald Scherer of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), is continuing the investigation related to the brutal attack that occurred on May 9 at approximately 12:32 am in the area of Mshaaboos Lane in Wiikwemkoong.
The four suspects, who fled the scene but were arrested a short time later by the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin (UCCM) Anishnaabe Police, re-appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on May 26 where their initial charges were amended as follows:
Angela Filazzola, a 23-year-old female from Scarborough, has been charged with possession for the purposes of trafficking, trafficking in a controlled substance and conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance. Ms. Filazzola has been released from custody.
Taun Dixon-Johnson, a 26-year-old male from Toronto, has been charged with attempted murder, assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, possession for the purposes of trafficking, trafficking in a controlled substance, conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance, proceeds of crime (under $5,000) and possession of cocaine.
Shamar Shaw, a 23-year-old male from Pickering, has been charged with attempted murder, assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, possession for the purposes of trafficking, trafficking in a controlled substance, conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance, fail to comply with a probation order (four counts) proceeds of crime (under $5,000) and possession of cocaine.
Billie-Jean Mills, a 22-year-old female from Sudbury, has been charged with possession for the purposes of trafficking, trafficking in a controlled substance, conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance and fail to comply with a probation order (three counts).
The new drug-related charges follow police activities many passersby witnessed two weeks ago when the OPP and Wikwemikong Tribal Police combed the ditches of Highway 6 between Sheguiandah and Little Current, where the accused were eventually apprehended.
Mr. Dixon-Johnson, Mr. Shaw and Ms. Mills have been remanded into custody. All four are scheduled to reappear in court in the coming days.
The investigation is continuing and any person with information about this incident is asked to immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122, the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service at (705) 859-3141 or their nearest police authority.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online at www.tipsubmit.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
