Man charged with terrorism hoax - Update

TORONTO , Nov. 26 /CNW/ - On Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 Justin Dillon of Mississauga, Ontario was sentenced by Justice Allen in a Brampton court to 12 months in jail for his role in terrorist hoax calls he made on November 24, 2006 . At his preliminary hearing last June (2009), Dillon pleaded guilty to a Hoax Regarding Terrorist Activity charge contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (Sec. 83.231).

Members of the Ontario Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (O-INSET) arrested Dillon (age 34) on April 2nd, 2008 , for the offences of Terrorist Hoax and Public Mischief. At that time, it was alleged that this individual placed several phone calls to Toronto Crime Stoppers, Toronto Police Service and the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office in New Jersey. The caller reported that a terrorist group was planning to blow up a mall in New Jersey.

The calls resulted in a significant police response involving several agencies, including the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office (New Jersey), Freehold Township Police (New Jersey), the Atlantic County Sheriffs Office, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the office of Homeland Security, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Toronto Police Service and the Peel Regional Police. The police response included stopping incoming and outgoing traffic, checking of individuals that matched the description of the alleged perpetrator and preventing vehicles from stopping in loading zones around the mall that was threatened. The calls were received on Friday, November 24, 2006 , one week before what is commonly regarded as "Black Friday", the busiest shopping day of the year.

"The RCMP takes these sorts of matters very seriously," said Inspector Kevin Jackson , Officer in charge of O-INSET. "Far from harmless pranks, terrorist hoaxes cause very real public apprehension, resulting in unnecessary and costly police responses."

INSETs were created following the events of September 11, 2001 . The teams are made up of representatives of the RCMP, federal partners and agencies such as Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), and provincial and municipal police services. Through shared federal, provincial and municipal resources - INSET members are better able to track, deter, disrupt and prevent criminal activities of terrorist groups or individuals who pose a threat to Canada's national security. To report terrorist activity or threats to national security, the public may call 1-800-420-5805 or contact your local police.

For further information: Sgt. Marc LaPorte, RCMP "O" Division (Ontario), Media Relations Coordinator, Office: [phone], Cell: [phone]