Texts expose alleged gun-for-hire scheme linked to foiled jail official attack

Ontario Crown prosecutors allege that a group of suspects used the encrypted messaging platform Signal to share the address, vehicle details and photos of a senior corrections officer at Toronto South Detention Centre, planning an attempted murder. Participants adopted aliases like "Danny Phantom" and "Lebron James," with one offering reconnaissance of the target's residence and another arranging a team of "hitters" to carry out the attack.

The plan included hiring youths, negotiating payment splits, and sourcing a stolen blue Acura that was later seized by police near the officer's home. The operation was disrupted after the vehicle collided with a police car stationed outside the residence, prompting a takedown that resulted in multiple arrests, including former officer Derek McCormick, who pleaded guilty. The investigation also uncovered alleged illegal access to a Ministry of Transportation database by a Toronto police constable, Timothy Barnhardt, who is facing charges. All allegations remain untested in court.