Multiple firearms charges laid following intimate partner violence investigation

A 43-year-old from St. Joseph Island is charged after OPP seized more than 25 firearms from two residences following an intimate partner violence investigation.

Ontario Provincial Police have laid multiple firearms-related charges following an intimate partner violence investigation that began with a well-being check.

Officers performed the initial check at about 11:30 a.m. on March 16 at a residence on St. Joseph Island.

The investigation led to the execution of search warrants at properties on St. Joseph Island and in Sault Ste. Marie.

Provincial police seized more than 25 firearms – including prohibited, restricted, and non-restricted weapons, as well as various types of ammunition, magazines, a baton and archery crossbows.

The OPP was assisted in the investigation by the Victim Specialist Unit and the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service.

“Due to the domestic nature of the incident, the name of the accused will not be released to protect the identity of the victim,” police said in a news release.

On March 20, a 43-year-old individual from St. Joseph Island was arrested and charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, 11 counts of careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device, or ammunition, and 12 counts of breaching firearms regulations related to the storage of firearms or restricted weapons.

“The accused remains in custody,” OPP said.