Successful prosecution related to Project Street Sweeper

The Ottawa Police Guns and Gangs Unit worked with the Crown on another successful prosecution that resulted this month with a 9 years sentence for an Ottawa man who was charged for selling firearms and trafficking drugs. This collaboration is part of an overall strategy to address gun violence in our community, from prevention to enforcement to prosecution. 

In January, the Guns and Gangs Unit commenced an investigation dubbed “Project Street Sweeper” to investigate the sale of firearms and illegal drugs in Ottawa. Undercover officers purchased a large amount of controlled substances and numerous firearms. As a result of the 6-month-long investigation, two men from Ottawa were arrested and charged. 28-year-old Kyle Broomer was charged with over 100 criminal charges, including selling firearms and trafficking in cocaine, methamphetamine and psilocybin. 

On October 7, 2022, he was found guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice of selling six firearms, six breach of weapons prohibition orders in relation to those firearms, trafficking in cocaine (617.95 grams), trafficking in methamphetamine pills (31 101 pills) and trafficking in psilocybin (446.85 grams). He was also found guilty of possessing a substantial amount of drugs at his residence, which were seized when a warrant was executed on June 7^th. Citing the dangerous combination of drugs and firearms, Justice Hoffman sentenced Broomer to 9 years, less 6 months for pre-trial detention. 

Emilie Farrell, counsel for the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario’s East Region Guns and Gangs Team, made submissions on behalf of the province at Mr. Broomer’s sentencing. She highlighted the large number of firearms involved in Mr. Broomer’s trafficking operation, its sophisticated and lucrative nature, and the significant danger which it posed to the community. Additionally, she noted that most of the trafficked firearms did not have serial numbers and that all but one of them were in firing condition. 

Kelly Reitsma, counsel for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, made submissions on behalf of the Federal Crown. She highlighted that Mr. Broomer’s activities demonstrated he was a mid-level to high-level drug trafficker. She also noted the significant impact cocaine and methamphetamine have on the end-users, often resulting in life-long health challenges or death and the lethal combination of drugs and guns. 

Justice Hoffman, the presiding judge, agreed with Ms. Farrell’s and Ms., Reitsma’s submission that the sentencing principles of denunciation and deterrence must be emphasized in serious cases like Mr. Broomer’s involving the deadly combination of firearms and drugs. He imposed the joint recommendation of the prosecution and defence that Mr. Broomer receive a total sentence of 9 years’ imprisonment less six months of presentence custody. Mr. Broomer was also banned from possessing firearms for life, and his two vehicles were forfeited.

Going forward

The Ottawa Police continues to address criminal activity and gun violence working with City, the Courts and community partners. 

To date, 87 crime guns have been seized this year and this number surpasses the total for 2021 and the Service is observing a trend towards a 29% decrease in gun violence events this year. Still, there have been over 50 gun violence events, and tragically 5 deaths. 

“The decrease in trend is no comfort to anyone,” said Inspector Tim Hodgins, with Major Investigations Branch of the Ottawa Police Service. “Each and every shooting incident matters to our police service. They are investigated fully and charges are laid to restore the sense of security to our impacted communities. A court ruling like Mr. Broomer received sends a strong message to individuals involved in firearms trafficking.”

Families and communities can play a role and help police remove crime guns from our streets. If someone you know is at risk of perpetrating or becoming a victim of gun violence, please contact police or crime stoppers.