Terry Bridge

Ryan Langstaff, 36, of Wallaceburg, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for trafficking after police stopped his vehicle on Walpole Island First Nation in February 2024 and found nearly 28 grams of cocaine, ammunition and drug-trafficking equipment. He received six months of house arrest with GPS monitoring, six months of curfew, two years of probation and restrictions on returning to Walpole Island, using drugs or contacting Brittany Parker. The sentence reflected his limited unrelated criminal record and substance-abuse counselling, while the judge stressed the harm of bringing dangerous drugs to a community facing its own challenges. Two other accused are scheduled for trial, while charges against a third person have been dropped.

Harinder Singh, a 28-year-old Brampton trucker, was arrested in Point Edward and charged with importing cocaine and possessing cocaine for trafficking after an alleged smuggling attempt across the Blue Water Bridge. Authorities had not released the quantity or value of the suspected drugs, and Singh’s charges had not been tested in court. The case is the sixth major truck-related drug allegation on the Canadian side of the bridge this year, amid a broader pattern of seizures and Project Bay, a Windsor Police-led investigation that resulted in 21 arrests and the seizure of nearly 1.7 tonnes of suspected cocaine, methamphetamine and opium.

Former Sarnia flooring contractor Kevin McMillan was sentenced to one year of house arrest with GPS monitoring, followed by a six-month curfew and two years of probation, after pleading guilty to multiple fraud counts involving seven customers. McMillan took more than $26,000 in deposits, failed to order or install flooring, and used the money for personal needs before his business went bankrupt. Justice Mark Poland ordered him to repay all victims and made clear that his priority must be increasing his income to provide meaningful restitution. The defence cited financial desperation and a prior cryptocurrency fraud, while the Crown sought nine months in jail.

Ryan Whiteway, 37, was found guilty of attempting to murder Sarnia police constable Karl Brown and of aggravated assault during a August 2024 wellness check at the Seaway Centre. Justice Mark Poland ruled that police were legally authorized to enter Whiteway’s condo under exigent circumstances, rejected his self-defence claim, and concluded that the stabbing of Brown’s head and neck demonstrated an intent to kill. The judge also dismissed Whiteway’s allegations that police seriously assaulted him after his arrest, although he raised concerns about the reliability and credibility of one officer’s testimony. Brown suffered severe injuries requiring 100 stitches, four blood transfusions and surgery. Whiteway, who has been jailed for two years, is expected to be sentenced early next year, and his lawyer indicated an appeal is likely.

Kimberly MacLean, 46, was released on $3,000 bail after spending more than a month in jail following a July traffic stop in Alvinston. She must live near St. Thomas under GPS monitoring, observe a nighttime curfew, avoid Sarnia except under specified conditions, refrain from possessing weapons or drug-trafficking paraphernalia, and have no contact with co-accused Kyle Vandeven. Both face multiple drug, weapons and firearms-related charges, which have not been tested in court. Vandeven remained in custody and was scheduled to appear by video for a case update, while MacLean was due back in court Nov. 4.

William Gallerno, a 45-year-old Sarnia man, remains in custody after appearing by video in court in connection with an alleged July 20 stabbing in Centennial Park. Police allege Mikayla Schalk was attacked and suffered a non-life-threatening upper-arm injury. Gallerno faces charges of assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm and multiple alleged breaches of a release order. He has not yet received a bail hearing, and his case was adjourned to Aug. 21. He also faces outstanding charges from May, including alleged property damage and possession of crystal meth. None of the allegations has been tested in court.

Andrew Surridge, 43, pleaded guilty to robbing two Sarnia Circle K stores in September and October 2023 while armed with a knife. He took cash and lottery tickets, was later identified and arrested by police, and admitted he had been heavily affected by drugs. Surridge received two years of house arrest with GPS monitoring, drug and alcohol prohibitions, and a ban from the stores, followed by two years of probation. The sentence was jointly recommended by the Crown and defence after Surridge addressed his opioid addiction, completed rehabilitation and returned to work. He had previously received a short jail sentence for two similar thefts but was treated as a first-time offender in this case.

Mackenzie Kozlof, 30, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and drug trafficking after police linked him to the fentanyl supplied to Brandy McConnell, 35, who died of fluorofentanyl intoxication in Sarnia in May 2024. He was sentenced to three years in prison under a joint recommendation from the lawyers. McConnell’s family called the sentence inadequate, while Justice Mark Poland acknowledged their lifelong loss but said he was bound by sentencing law and Supreme Court guidance. Kozlof’s defence cited his addiction, limited education, repeated personal overdoses and cooperation with police.