Court documents reveal that the alleged plot to harm a jail official, which sparked the police corruption and organized crime investigation known as Project South, was orchestrated by suspects who utilized fake identities on a secure messaging platform. Prior to the purported assassination attempt, the accused individuals reportedly utilized the Signal app to exchange personal details and images of the targeted senior corrections officer at Toronto South Detention Centre, whose identity is shielded by a publication ban.
The Crown prosecutors’ factum, submitted in Ontario Superior Court, outlines details obtained from seized cellphones, suggesting an alleged gun-for-hire network’s involvement in the planned attack. The investigation, initiated in June 2025 following a foiled attempted hit by York Regional Police, unfolded after a suspect vehicle collided with a police car stationed near the jail official’s residence.
Initially, nearly 30 individuals, including seven Toronto police officers and a retired constable, faced charges in Project South. One officer, now retired, recently pleaded guilty, while another individual’s charge was dropped. The probe delves into conversations on the Signal platform, where suspects, using aliases like “Danny Phantom” and “Lebron James,” discussed surveilling the target and coordinating the attack.
The factum details that the suspects allegedly subcontracted tasks and discussed payment schemes for various criminal activities. Separate Signal messages recovered from a suspect’s cellphone, identified as “Dwayne Casey,” displayed efforts to recruit individuals for the hit job. Despite the unfolding events, none of the accusations have been tested in court.
Further revelations from the court documents suggest a series of communications between suspects planning the attack, involving the exchange of sensitive information and logistical arrangements. The investigation also uncovered connections to previous criminal incidents, hinting at a broader network and potential recurring criminal activities.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case underscores the intricate web of alleged criminal activities and the involvement of law enforcement personnel in facilitating illicit operations. The ongoing investigation aims to shed light on the depths of corruption and criminal enterprises intertwined within the justice system.
