NEWS RELEASE
SAULT STE. MARIE POLICE SERVICE
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Officers with the Investigation Services Division of the Sault Ste. Marie Police service have charged eight men in connection with an incident at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre.
It is alleged on Jan. 27, 2019, the eight accused were involved in a situation where a fire was started in a common area of the facility. During the incident, it is alleged some of the accused began throwing various items in the area, damaging property.
As a result of the investigation, the following men are facing charges:
Twenty-six-year-old Jeff LeClair is charged with one count of arson disregard for human life, one count of participating in a riot, one count of concealing his identity, one count of uttering threats and one count of mischief under $5,000.
Twenty-seven-year-old Brandon Hartling is charged with one count of arson disregard for human life, one count of participating in a riot, one count of concealing his identity and one count of mischief under $5,000.
Fifty-two-year-old Michael Johnston is charged with one count of arson disregard for human life, one count of participating in a riot and one count of concealing his identity.
Twenty-seven-year-old Jonathan Jobin is charged with one count of participating in a riot and one count of concealing his identity.
Thirty-three-year-old Jason Reid is charged with one count of participating in a riot.
Thirty-eight-year-old Jeff Ralston is charged with one count of mischief under $5,000.
Forty-three-year-old Duane Bjornaa is charged with one count of participating in a riot.
Thirty-three-year-old Jamie Hill is charged with one count of mischief under $5,000.
All of the accused were held for bail court.
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