Drug search warrant leads to arrest of wanted party Mitchell Gillingham, loaded handgun, fentanyl and cocaine

Accused wanted from previous April 19th incident

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – M’Chigeeng, ON, June 6, 2024

Shortly before 7:00 pm on Monday, June 3rd, 2024, UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Emergency Response Team (ERT) and the OPP Tactical Rescue Unit (TRU) executed a search warrant at Apartment #1 – 36 Tikmeg Rd, M’Chigeeng First Nation. The female resident of that apartment, Sarah MIGWANS-BAYER (23), surrendered to Police and was taken into custody.

During the search, Mitchell Osama Gillingham (33) of Windsor, was arrested following lengthy negotiations with police. Police located the male suspect in the attic with a handgun. Neighbours were evacuated for their safety and homes in the surrounding block were asked to shelter in place. The subject attempted to evade police by breaking through the attics of neighboring units. However, through negotiation, Gillingham was arrested without serious injuries to himself or police.

The housing complex at 36 Tikmeg Rd, had to be shut down to the residents living there who are now displaced from their homes. Subsequent search warrants executed on June 05th, 2024, located a loaded handgun, and what Police believe to be over 4 ounces fentanyl and over 2 ounces of cocaine, all in the attic area. Unfortunately, due to the actions of the accused parties, the entire housing complex sustained extensive damage while Police tried to remove Mitchell Gillingham from the attic area to affect a safe arrest.

This event has caused concern, trauma and worry to the children and residents in the immediate neighborhood as well the community of M’Chigeeng at large. It is becoming increasingly frequent that investigations and situations such as this are occurring, we are challenging all community agencies and citizens to come together and develop a comprehensive community action plan in combating the epidemic of illicit drug use and the violence that comes with it. We all play important roles in curbing the violence and social disparity of the illicit drug problem.

This operation followed a previous incident on April 19th, 2024, when UCCM police were called regarding an unwanted person at a residence in M’Chigeeng. During that incident, a firearm was pointed at the victim. The accused was initially believed to be in the residence. The UCCM Crime Unit and the OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) were activated at that time, and a comprehensive search was conducted with the assistance of the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), Critical Incident Command unit, Crisis Negotiators, Tactical Rescue Unit, and K9 Unit.

Accused, Mitchell Gillingham, was arrested on a previous arrest warrant with the following offences stemming from the April 19th incident:

  1. CC 87 Pointing a Firearm
  2. CC 267(a) Assault with a Weapon
  3. CC 86(1) Careless Use of a Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device, or Ammunition
  4. CC 91(1) Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

Following the June 3rd, 2024, incident, Mitchell Gillingham was charged with the following offences:

  1. 86(1) Criminal Code – Careless Use of Firearm
  2. 86(1) Criminal Code – Carry Firearm in a careless manner
  3. 87 Criminal Code – Pointing a Firearm
  4. 88 Criminal Code – Weapons Dangerous
  5. 91(1)Criminal Code – Unauthorized possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
  6. 92(1) Criminal Code – Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
  7. 162.2(4) Criminal Code – Failure to Comply with Firearm Prohibition Order
  8. 162.2(4) Criminal Code – Failure to Comply with Firearm Prohibition Order
  9. 180(1)(a) Criminal Code – Common Nuisance – Endanger life
  10. 48(1)(b) Criminal Code – Break and Enter
  11. 348(1)(b) Criminal Code – Break and Enter
  12. 348(1)(b) Criminal Code – Break and Enter
  13. 348(1)(b) Criminal Code – Break and Enter
  14. 430(3) Criminal Code – Mischief over $5000 to the entire apartment complex of 36 Tikmeg Road, M’Chigeeng.
  15. 5(2) CDSA – Possession of cocaine for the purposes of trafficking
  16. 5(2) CDSA – Possession of fentanyl for the purposes of trafficking

Accused, Sarah Migwans-Bayer, has been charged with the following offences:

  1. 139(2) Criminal Code – Obstruct Justice
  2. 91(1) Criminal Code – Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  3. 92(1) Criminal Code – Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
  4. 180(1)(a) Criminal Code – Common Nuisance endanger life
  5. 5(2) CDSA – Possession of cocaine for the purposes of trafficking
  6. 5(2) CDSA – Possession of fentanyl for the purposes of trafficking

The UCCM Anishnaabe Police would like to thank their OPP partners for their support over this entire operation. The OPP’s commitment to assisting UCCM in serious incidents has been unwavering and truly appreciated by everyone involved. UCCM would also like to thank everyone that came forward with information regarding these individuals. It is unfortunate that some members of our community knowingly harbor dangerous armed individuals and mislead the Police in their attempts to apprehend these individuals. Harboring wanted criminals in your residences allows serious criminal activity to continue while negatively impacting many community members suffering the residual crimes that are proliferated through drug trafficking and organized crime.

If anyone has further information regarding this incident, please contact either UCCM Police at 705-377-7135, or Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers at 705-222- TIPS (8477)/1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or submit an online tip at www.sudburycrimestoppers.com Together we can make a difference.

James Killeen
Chief of Police
UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service