Loaded Firearm – Four Arrested Facing Numerous Charges

Source: OPP
Date: Thu Aug 22 03:39:55 MST 2024

(TIMMINS, ON) – A traffic stop on Highway 101 led to the seizure of a loaded firearm and four arrests.

On August 19, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the South Porcupine Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on Highway 101 in Hoyle.

Upon speaking with the driver, police observed a substance suspected to be cocaine, and the four occupants of the vehicle were arrested.

A search of the vehicle incident to arrest was conducted, and police located and seized drugs suspected to be fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine with a total estimated street value $30,000. Police also seized a loaded handgun, an extended magazine, ammunition, one machete, four folding knives, and four cell phones.

As a result of the investigation, Amanda CLOUATRE, 43 years of age of Timmins, was charged with:

· Transport firearm in a careless manner

· Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose

· Possession of a prohibited ammunition for a dangerous purpose

· Carrying a concealed weapon

· Carry a concealed prohibited ammunition

· Unauthorized possession of a restricted firearm

· Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm

· Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was a restricted weapon

· Possession of a loaded prohibited firearm

· Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl

· Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine

· Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine

· Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – crack cocaine

Gregory MCNEIL, 43 years of age of Timmins was charged with:

· Transport firearm in a careless manner

· Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose

· Possession of a prohibited ammunition for a dangerous purpose

· Carrying a concealed weapon

· Carry a concealed prohibited ammunition

· Unauthorized possession of a restricted firearm

· Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm

· Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was a restricted weapon

· Possession of a loaded prohibited firearm

· Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl

· Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine

· Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine

· Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – crack cocaine

· Drive vehicle with cannabis readily available

· Speeding – 111 km/h in a posted 90 km/h zone.

· Obstruct plate

A 17-year-old person of Timmins who cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), was charged with:

Transport firearm in a careless manner
Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
Possession of a prohibited ammunition for a dangerous purpose
Carrying a concealed weapon
Carry a concealed prohibited ammunition
Unauthorized possession of a restricted firearm
Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was a restricted weapon
Possession of a loaded prohibited firearm
Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl
Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine
Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – crack cocaine
Fail to comply with sentence (two counts)
· Possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order

A 16-year-old person of Timmins who cannot be named under the provisions of the YCJA, was charged with:

Transport firearm in a careless manner
Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
Possession of a prohibited ammunition for a dangerous purpose
Carrying a concealed weapon
Carry a concealed prohibited ammunition
Unauthorized possession of a restricted firearm
Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was a restricted weapon
Possession of a loaded prohibited firearm
Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl
Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine
Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – crack cocaine
Fail to comply with sentence
· Possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order (two counts)

All four accused persons appeared in bail court before the Ontario Court of Justice on August 20, 2024, in Timmins. Accused persons MCNEIL and CLOUATRE were released and will next appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on September 12, 2024, in Timmins. The two young persons remain in custody and will next appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on August 26, 2024, in Timmins.

Illicit firearms pose a serious risk to public safety. They are often used by organized crime groups, including street gangs, to broaden and secure drug trafficking networks. They are also used in violent crimes including theft, intimidation, extortion and homicide.