THUNDER BAY -- Eleven inmates face 137 charges after an investigation into a violent Dec. 29 incident at the Thunder Bay District Jail.
In a release issued on Friday, Thunder Bay Police say they were dispatched to the facility just before 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday following a report of a serious inmate-on-inmate assault that began two days earlier.
Police allege that on Monday, Dec. 27, two male inmates were forced into cells and not allowed to leave, repeatedly assaulted by the accused while held hostage in the cells.
The victims were also allegedly forced to make phone calls to transfer crypto currency from their accounts to accounts held by some of the accused.
More assaults were alleged to have taken place on Tuesday, the victims held captive for 30 hours. The police release said correctional officers were able to separate the inmates at that point.
Police say the victims were taken to hospital for evaluation of their injuries and further investigation led to the identification of the 11 accused inmates.
Nine males from the Toronto area, one Thunder Bay male and one Timmins male were arrested, though police won't identify the accused until the charges have been sworn in court. The suspects range in age from 18 to 32.
Charges include multiple counts of assault causing bodily harm, forcible confinement, kidnapping, extortion, intimidation using violence, obstructing a peace officer and failure to comply with sentence.
The suspects remain in custody and will await new appearance dates for the new charges.
The investigation continues.
Ministry of the Solicitor General spokesperson Brent Ross said they are working with police as they investigate the incident, but are unable to provide further comment on this matter due to the ongoing police investigation and the charges before the courts.
The full release is posted below:
NEWS RELEASE
THUNDER BAY POLICE SERVICE
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Police have filed a total of 137 charges against 11 inmates at the Thunder Bay District jail following a recent investigation into a violence incident that occurred at the facility.
Thunder Bay Police Service officers with the Uniform Patrol Branch were initially dispatched to the District Jail just before 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 29 following reports of a serious inmate-on-inmate assault.
Police learned that on Monday, Dec. 27, two male victims were forced into cells and not allowed to leave by 11 male suspects. The victims were repeatedly assaulted by the accused individuals while in the cells.
Between the assaults, and while still being held captive, the victims were allegedly forced to make phone calls to transfer crypto currency from accounts they had access to the accounts of the accused.
In the morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 28, further assaults occurred while the victims were still being held captive. Correctional Officers were able to separate the involved parties during one of these incidents.
Victims were transported to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for further evaluation of their injuries.
The investigation found the victims had been held captive for about 30 hours. Further investigation led police to identify 11 accused inmates.
Accused persons facing charges include one Thunder Bay male, one Timmins male, and nine other males from the Greater Toronto Area. Ages of the accused range from 18-to-32 years old. The Thunder Bay Police Service only identifies an accused after charges have been sworn before the courts.
Charges being filed include multiple counts of Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Forcible Confinement, Kidnapping, Extortion, Intimidation Using Violence, Obstruct Peace Officer, and Failure to Comply with Sentence.
The suspects will remain in custody and will be provided with future court appearance dates for the new charges they face.
The investigation remains ongoing.
