Submitted. In May 2008 Jonathan Barber was shot and killed while driving a vehicle owned by one of the Bacon brothers. IHIT took lead of this homicide and in May 2009 investigators from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – BC announced that 8 members of the notorious UN gang and their associates were facing a number of criminal charges. Charges of First Degree Murder were approved at a later date in connection to the killing of Jonathan Barber.
Photo: Jamie Bacon
While this investigation remains on-going, today we can announce five guilty pleas for Conspiracy to Murder the Bacon Brothers and their Associates.
Convicted of Conspiracy to Murder are the following:
- Yong Sung John LEE
- Dilun HENG
- Barzan TILLI-CHOLI
- Karwan Ahmet SAED
- Ion KROITORU
In April 2013 Dan Russell plead guilty to Conspiracy to Murder the Bacon Brothers and Associates as well as Manslaughter in connection to the murder of Jonathan Barber. He was sentenced to 12 years.
“It is vital to remove the illusion of invincibility these individuals use to intimidate others and expand their violence and illegal operations,” says Supt. Kevin Hackett, Officer in charge of IHIT. “These charges bring well known gang members before the Courts to face justice and send a vital message to all criminals and perspective gang members that they will be held accountable for their actions. Investigations such as this one are extremely challenging and time intensive and I would like to acknowledge the diligence of the IHIT investigative team and our partners at CFSEU.”
The guilty pleas we are seeing today do not signify the end of this investigation. Two other individuals, Conor D’Monte and Cory “Frankie” Valle, have also been charged and have Canada-wide warrants issued for their arrest. IHIT continues to ask anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact the IHIT tipline at 1-877-551-4448 , or, Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477