Two Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members based in Toronto have been removed from their military duties after being arrested on a combined 49 charges relating to kidnapping, organized crime and the theft of firearms and weapons, the Department of National Defence confirms. Sachintha Fernando, 22, and James Moreau, 29, were arrested on Aug. 11, 2026, according to Laura McIntyre-Grills, a spokesperson for DND. Both Fernando and Moreau hold the rank of bombardier and are members of the 7th Toronto Regiment, a reserve artillery unit that is part of Canada’s 32 Canadian Brigade. The unit is based out of the Moss Park Armoury, located at 130 Queen Street East. According to McIntyre-Grills, Moreau enrolled in the Canadian Army as a reservist in March 2018 and deployed on Operation LASER in 2020. Fernando enrolled in the Canadian Army as a reservist in January 2020. He has not deployed on a Canadian Armed Forces operation. “Following their arrests, both individuals were removed from military duties and their access to CAF equipment, facilities, and bases was restricted,” McIntyre-Grills said. “They remain members of the CAF pending the outcome of an administrative review. An administrative review is a formal process used to assess matters that may affect a member’s continued service while providing procedural fairness.” According to the Toronto Police, Sachintha and Moreau have been charged with a total of 49 offences including Kidnapping for Ransom, Forcible Confinement, Unauthorized Posession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle, Use Firearm During the Commission of an Indictable Offence, and Mischief Interfere with Property. Moreau was charged with additional counts of firearms-related offences, including Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, and Careless Storage of Ammunition. Police say the investigation is ongoing.
