Online Extortion investigation leads to arrest

November 13, 2025

TB25010905

A cyber crime investigation has resulted in a local man being arrested on a number of Internet related charges.

 

Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service Cyber Crime Unit began an investigation earlier this year after receiving information that a local internet user was suspected of extorting a non-local victim for their nudes.

 

In June a search was executed in relation to the investigation.

 

Police found that the accused extorted female victims between the ages of 10 and 16 for the purpose of communicating and exchanging sexually explicit material.

 

Kayden SOUTHERLAND, 19, of Thunder Bay, is charged with Accessing Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material, Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material, Possession of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material, Extortion x 2, Luring x 3 and Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child.

 

The accused turned himself in to police on the morning of Thursday, November 13. The accused appeared in court this morning and has been released with conditions and a future appearance date.

 

Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Detective Constable Joel Manherz at (807) 684-1200 ext. 4115.

 

Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com.

 

The Thunder Bay Police Service recognizes that parents and caregivers are the frontline when it comes to protecting children on the Internet and electronic devices. We encourage you to remain vigilant in your efforts. Tips for talking to your kids can be found, and reporting of any online exploitation can also be made, at Canada’s National Tipline for Reporting the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children at cybertip.ca.

 

This project has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

 

There are also resources available through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for those who have a sexual interest in children. The new Talking for Change (https://talkingforchange.ca/) program is the first of its kind in Canada and provides national and all-ages help for those concerned about their risk to use child sexual exploitation material or offend sexually against a child.

 

 

Drug trafficking investigation leads to charges

March 6, 2026
TB26008394 A Thunder Bay Police Service drug trafficking investigation has led to the seizure of suspected illegal drugs and an arrest. Officers with the Intelligence Unit began the investigation in February 2026, after receiving reports of drug trafficking in Thunder Bay. On March 5, 2026, officers located and arrested two suspects on Simpson Street. Suspected illegal drugs, cash, and other items associated with drug trafficking were seized. Officers also conducted a search at a property on Memorial Avenue During the search, a loaded handgun, suspected crack cocaine, cocaine, hydromorphone, and oxycodone were seized. In total approximately 220 grams of suspected cocaine, 1900 hydromorphone pills and 400 oxycodone pills were seized. The total estimated street value of the drugs seized is over $63,000. As a result of the investigation, 37-year-old Jermaine WHITE from Etobicoke is facing the following charges: • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – opioid (two counts) • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000 • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm • Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition • Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm • Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order (three counts) • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm • Unauthorized possession of weapon The accused remains in custody with a future court date. A Thunder Bay resident has also been charged with traffic in Schedule 1 substance – cocaine. The accused from Thunder Bay has been released on an undertaking.

Thunder Bay Police Service investigating homicide on city’s south end

March 5, 2026
TB26007891 The Thunder Bay Police Service is investigating a homicide on the city’s south end. Officers were dispatched to the Hall Place area on the evening of March 1, 2026. A deceased male was located. The Major Crime Unit became involved in the ongoing investigation. The Thunder Bay Police Service is looking for security video or dashcam footage between February 22, 2026, and March 1, 2026, along Walsh Street East, between Edward Street South and Tarbutt Street South. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation, or who wishes to submit video footage, should contact Detective Constable Jason Bresele at jason.bresele@thunderbaypolice.ca Submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at www.p3tips.com .

February 2026

March 3, 2026
This week, I had the opportunity to present at the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Seven Youth Inquest Continuity of Care Forum 2026. This year’s theme, “The Journey Continues: Ten Years of Healing, Supporting & Remembering,” honours the lives of Jethro Anderson, Reggie Bushie, Robyn Harper, Kyle Morriseau, Paul Panacheese, Curran Strang and Jordan Wabasse. While the history we acknowledge is difficult, hope lies in how we move forward — together. The voices of the Seven Fallen Feathers, their families, and their communities remain central to meaningful change, and that work depends on strong relationships. At the Thunder Bay Police Service, we have learned — and continue to learn — the importance of collaboration grounded in honesty and humility. Community safety is a shared responsibility. Through sustained partnerships with Indigenous leadership, organizations, and service providers, we are addressing both immediate safety concerns and root causes of crime. One example is our partnership with the Ontario Native Women’s Association in developing Thunder Bay’s Urban Indigenous Community Safety Plan — a collaboration centred on accountability, cultural awareness, and continuous improvement. Our Restorative Justice partnership with Nokiiwin Tribal Council and the Crown offers eligible Indigenous individuals the opportunity to take responsibility and participate in a healing circle involving victims, Elders, and community members. Agreements focus on repairing harm and addressing root causes. When successfully completed, charges may be withdrawn — balancing accountability with culturally grounded healing and victim support. Through Project Prevent, we provide interactive gang-recruitment avoidance education to about 2,500 youth annually in and around Thunder Bay. Our team travels to First Nations communities to deliver culturally responsive presentations, supporting students who may eventually live in larger communities to make informed choices before recruitment efforts take hold. School Resource Officers have been assigned full-time to Dennis Franklin Cromarty and Matawa Education since Fall 2024. Their work extends beyond enforcement and includes weekly collaboration with school leadership, safety orientations, education on rights during police interactions, presentations on drugs and online safety, and investigative support when required. These are just some examples of initiatives the Thunder Bay Police Service is engaged in, reflecting a sustained commitment to collaboration with Indigenous communities. We have fully addressed and reported on recommendations arising from the Broken Trust Report, the Independent Expert Panel review, and the Inquest into the Deaths of Seven First Nations Youths. More importantly, our continued actions demonstrate meaningful, lasting change. Progress is necessary — and it is happening through sincere partnership. I am grateful for the leadership and commitment of our many partners as we move forward together.