Bombardiers Sachintha Fernando and James Moreau arrested on organized‑crime, kidnapping charges in Toronto

What happened

On Aug. 11, 2026 the Toronto Police Service arrested two members of the Canadian Armed Forces on three sets of allegations: participation in organised crime, kidnapping and the unlawful taking of firearms or other weapons. The two soldiers are identified as Bombardier Sachintha Fernando and Bombardier James Moreau, both serving in the 7th Toronto Regiment, a reserve artillery unit based out of the Moss Park Armoury.

Who is involved

• Bombardier Sachintha Fernando – enlisted as a reservist in Jan 2020; the DND says he has never been deployed overseas.
• Bombardier James Moreau – joined the reserves in Mar 2018 and was deployed on Operation LASER in 2020, the CAF’s domestic response to the COVID‑19 pandemic.
• Andrée‑Anne Poulin, spokesperson for the Department of National Defence, confirmed the arrests and described the subsequent administrative actions.
• Toronto Police Service, the civilian agency that effected the arrests.
• 7th Toronto Regiment – Royal Canadian Artillery, the unit to which both men belong.
• Moss Park Armoury, the regiment’s headquarters in Toronto.
• CFB Borden, a training base where a source says the soldiers have previously taught recruits (unverified).

What the Department of National Defence says

In an email response, DND spokesperson Andrée‑Anne Poulin said the two bombardiers have been removed from all military duties and barred from accessing CAF equipment, facilities or bases while the criminal investigation proceeds. She added that the soldiers remain members of the CAF pending the outcome of an administrative review – a formal process that assesses whether a member should continue to serve while ensuring procedural fairness.

What happens next

The Toronto Police Service has not released further details about the investigation, citing the ongoing nature of the case. Both men face multiple charges that, if proven, could lead to significant prison time and the loss of their military status. The CAF has indicated it is cooperating fully with the police, but no comment was made about any internal disciplinary measures beyond the administrative review.

Key numbers and dates

• Arrest date: 11 August 2026
• Ranks: Bombardier (equivalent to corporal) – both men
• Regiment: 7th Toronto Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
• Enlistment: Fernando – Jan 2020; Moreau – Mar 2018
• Deployment: Moreau – Operation LASER, 2020
• Charges: organised‑crime participation, kidnapping, theft of firearms/weapons

The case underscores the challenges of handling alleged criminal conduct by serving military personnel within the civilian justice system, and it is likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of internal oversight mechanisms in the Canadian Armed Forces.