THUNDER BAY - A Thunder Bay correctional officer charged with breach of trust and drug trafficking offences has been granted release from custody pending trial.
Andy Jason Saindon, 38, appeared in court on Thursday, June 25, and was granted release from custody on a $7,500 bail plan with no deposit.
The terms of the accused’s release order require him to not possess or consume any alcohol or drugs except with a valid prescription, not to possess any weapons and he is also not to attend or be within 100-feet of the Thunder Bay District Jail.
Saindon is charged with one count of breach of trust, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of MDMA for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking in tobacco, possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
A court-ordered publication ban is in place which prevents the publication of evidence discussed at the accused’s court appearance.
Thunder Bay police say they began an investigation in April that focused on a prison guard who was using their position to bring contraband into the jail for profit, according to a police news release.
Officers obtained a search warrant for the suspect's vehicle, home and workplace locker which resulted in the seizure of a variety of items including drugs, drug trafficking paraphernalia and approximately $20,000 in cash.
The search of the locker led police to find contents packaged in a way that is consistent with making them concealable during body searches, police said.
Saindon is slated to appear back in court in September.
