Court documents reveal that the planned attack on a senior corrections officer that sparked the Project South investigation into police corruption and organized crime was orchestrated by individuals using false identities on a secure messaging platform. Prior to the alleged assassination attempt, suspects purportedly utilized the Signal app to exchange personal details and images of the target, whose identity is shielded by a court order.
Details outlined in a legal submission by Crown prosecutors shed light on how a suspected network of hitmen allegedly orchestrated the failed attack, with incriminating chats found on confiscated cellphones. The investigation commenced in June 2025 when York Regional Police intercepted the suspected hit as the assailants’ vehicle collided with a police car stationed near the officer’s residence.
Initially, nearly 30 individuals, including seven Toronto police officers and a retired constable, faced charges in the Project South probe. One officer admitted guilt, while another person’s charge was stayed. The criminal activities were reportedly coordinated using encrypted apps to enlist youths for illicit tasks, posing challenges for law enforcement.
Messages retrieved from seized devices suggest that Dequon Lemonious, using the moniker “Danny Phantom,” sought assistance from Median Jackson, known as “Lebron James,” to surveil the officer’s address. Lemonious allegedly acquired the target’s information from a Ministry of Transportation database, reportedly accessed unlawfully by a police officer.
In the days leading up to the thwarted hit, discussions between Lemonious and Jackson extended to other unlawful activities, with Lemonious providing intel to Jackson for subcontracting purposes. The duo allegedly discussed recruitment strategies, pricing for various tasks, and profit distribution within their criminal network.
Additional Signal messages from a suspect’s cellphone indicated a failed recruitment attempt for the murder plot, with the task eventually offered to another individual named “Reality.” Plans for the assault unfolded rapidly, culminating in a failed hit at the officer’s home involving a team of perpetrators, including Almar Heath and two unidentified youths, armed with a handgun and equipped with masks and gloves.
Charges of conspiracy to murder the corrections officer were laid against Heath, Jackson, Lemonious, Barker-Campbell, and the two youths, pending trial. Legal representatives for Heath and Barker-Campbell declined to comment, while Jackson’s counsel did not respond to media requests. Lemonious is currently without legal representation.
During investigations, Const. Timothy Barnhardt of Toronto Police was linked to the unlawful search of the officer’s information, prompting legal action. The incident underscored the intricate web of criminal activities and the collaborative efforts that law enforcement agencies face in combating such threats.
Surveillance footage captured the suspects’ repeated attempts to target the corrections officer, ultimately leading to their apprehension. The unfolding events highlighted the dangers posed by organized crime and the critical role of law enforcement in safeguarding communities against such nefarious activities.