Two Canadian Armed Forces soldiers arrested in Toronto on organized crime and kidnapping charges
Toronto police arrested two Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) reservists on August 11 on charges connected to organized crime, kidnapping and weapons theft. Both have been removed from military duties pending an administrative review.
The arrests
On August 11, 2026, Toronto police arrested two members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), according to Global News and law firm UL Lawyers. The men — Bombardiers Sachintha Fernando and James Moreau — served with the 7th Toronto Regiment. The Department of National Defence publicly confirmed the arrests through a spokesperson.
The charges
Fernando and Moreau face charges connected to organized crime, kidnapping, and the theft of firearms and weapons. Neither Global News nor UL Lawyers' coverage specifies further details of the charges or the underlying case, as the matter remains under investigation.
Military response
Following their arrests, both men were removed from military duties, and their access to CAF equipment, facilities and bases was restricted. They remain formal members of the CAF while an administrative review is conducted — a formal process used to assess whether a member's service can continue, while ensuring procedural fairness. The Canadian Army is assisting Toronto police with its investigation.
Service background
According to the Department of National Defence spokesperson, Moreau enrolled in the Canadian Army as a reservist in March 2018, while Fernando enrolled in January 2020. Fernando has never been deployed on a CAF operation, whereas Moreau served on Operation LASER in 2020, Canada's military response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legal perspective
Law firm UL Lawyers notes that the case highlights the importance of both civilian legal processes and internal military accountability. Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, those charged are entitled to legal counsel, the right to remain silent, and the right to a fair trial. The firm emphasizes that serious allegations are subject to rigorous investigation and prosecution by civilian authorities regardless of a person's profession.
The investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been released about its progress.
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