Bacon Brothers (gangsters)
Encyclopedia
The Bacon Brothers, Jonathan (deceased, 2011), Jarrod and Jamie Bacon, are a trio of alleged gangsters, suspected of multiple firearms and drug trafficking charges and implicated in a rash of homicides
that have occurred in the Fraser Valley
and Greater Vancouver
area. They are under police protection, and have filed a complaint against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP).
In 2004, an attempted murder charge against Jarrod Bacon was stayed after the victim refused to testify at trial. In 2005, police seized more than 700 marijuana plants and various pieces of pot-growing equipment and charged Jarrod and a friend with possession for the purpose of trafficking. Jamie pleaded guilty to robbery in 2007 in connection with a 2005 home invasion
where a man was confined in his Abbotsford home and robbed of marijuana plants and growing-operation equipment. He was sentenced to time served
.
Association with the Red Scorpions
In 2006, the brothers partnered with the Red Scorpions
, another Vancouver gang. The aim of this partnership was to help their criminal activities compete with that of the Hells Angels and the United Nations
. It is believed that the brothers took leadership control of the gang shortly thereafter.
for his alleged involvement in the October 19, 2007 slayings of the 'Surrey 6' which included two innocent victims: Chris Mohan and Ed Schellenberg at the Balmoral Tower Highrise building in Surrey, BC, Canada. This development occurred after an associate of the Bacon brothers, Dennis Karbovanec, pleaded guilty to his participation in the slayings.
Jarrod Bacon, arrested in May 2009 on weapons charges, is currently awaiting trial on a separate charge of cocaine trafficking.
In September 2009, the Integrated Gang Task Force reported that eight associates had been murdered since the public warning by police that those associated with Jon, Jarrod and Jamie Bacon steer clear of the trio or be potentially marked for death by criminals.
While awaiting trial, Jamie Bacon and his co-accused were being held in isolation. B.C. Corrections Service said this measure was for their own protection because other rivals are also in custody awaiting several trials. In what legal observers said was an unusual request, Jamie Bacon applied to the Supreme Court of British Columbia
to end his solitary confinement
as a violation of his rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
. The Court found that James Bacon had been subjected to cruel and unusual treatment while in custody, contrary to section 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
and that this he had been subjected to such treatment for the purpose of furthering the police investigation. His conditions of confinement were also found to constitute a deprivation of liberty and security of person that was not in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice, contrary to section 7 of the Charter
. During the course of the hearing, it was revealed that Mr. Bacon's privileged telephone calls
with his counsel had been unlawfully recorded. This matter remains before the Court. Mr. Bacon was released into the general prison population and the restrictions on his visits and telephone communications removed.
In May 2010, the court convicted Jamie Bacon of all 11 charges related to the April 2007 discovery of a gun cache but acquitted the older brother Jarrod of all charges.
, BC. Larry Amero, a full-patch member of the Hells Angels
, was also critically injured in the attack No arrests have been made in this incident thus far.
Superintendent Pat Fogarty of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, suggested that the eldest Bacon's death and the incarceration of the other two brothers, will create such turmoil among the leadership of the gang that the popularity and influence of the Red Scorpions will decrease within the British Columbia gang world.
2009 Vancouver gang war
In early 2009, a series of gang-related shootings occurred due to what police describe as a gang war in Vancouver. Alleged participants include the Independent Soldiers, the Sanghera Crime Group, the Buttar Gang, the Bacon Brothers , the United Nations Gang, the Red Scorpions, and the Vancouver...
that have occurred in the Fraser Valley
Fraser Valley
The Fraser Valley is the section of the Fraser River basin in southwestern British Columbia downstream of the Fraser Canyon. The term is sometimes used to refer to the Fraser Canyon and stretches upstream from there, but in general British Columbian usage of the term refers to the stretch of the...
and Greater Vancouver
Greater Vancouver
Greater Vancouver is the metropolitan area centred on the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, roughly coterminous with the Greater Vancouver Regional District, which is governed by a body known as Metro Vancouver...
area. They are under police protection, and have filed a complaint against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
(RCMP).
In 2004, an attempted murder charge against Jarrod Bacon was stayed after the victim refused to testify at trial. In 2005, police seized more than 700 marijuana plants and various pieces of pot-growing equipment and charged Jarrod and a friend with possession for the purpose of trafficking. Jamie pleaded guilty to robbery in 2007 in connection with a 2005 home invasion
Home invasion
Home invasion is the act of illegally burgling or entering a private and occupied dwelling for the purpose of committing a crime Home invasion is the act of illegally burgling or entering a private and occupied dwelling for the purpose of committing a crime Home invasion is the act of illegally...
where a man was confined in his Abbotsford home and robbed of marijuana plants and growing-operation equipment. He was sentenced to time served
Time served
In criminal law, "time served" describes a sentence where the defendant is credited immediately after the guilty verdict with the time spent in remand awaiting trial. The time is usually subtracted from the sentence, with only the balance being served after the verdict...
.
Association with the Red ScorpionsRed ScorpionsThe Red Scorpions are a gang based in British Columbia, Canada. Originally formed in a young offenders facility, they have been running “dial-a-dope lines” – in the suburbs of Vancouver since 2000...
In 2006, the brothers partnered with the Red ScorpionsRed Scorpions
The Red Scorpions are a gang based in British Columbia, Canada. Originally formed in a young offenders facility, they have been running “dial-a-dope lines” – in the suburbs of Vancouver since 2000...
, another Vancouver gang. The aim of this partnership was to help their criminal activities compete with that of the Hells Angels and the United Nations
United Nations (gang)
The United Nations Gang or Global United Nations Syndicate is a criminal gang active in the Vancouver, British Columbia area...
. It is believed that the brothers took leadership control of the gang shortly thereafter.
Arrests of Jamie and Jarrod Bacon
On April 3, 2009, Jamie Bacon was arrested by the RCMP Emergency response teamEmergency Response Team
The Emergency Response Team is the paramilitary tactical police arm of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.- Purpose and history of the ERT :...
for his alleged involvement in the October 19, 2007 slayings of the 'Surrey 6' which included two innocent victims: Chris Mohan and Ed Schellenberg at the Balmoral Tower Highrise building in Surrey, BC, Canada. This development occurred after an associate of the Bacon brothers, Dennis Karbovanec, pleaded guilty to his participation in the slayings.
Jarrod Bacon, arrested in May 2009 on weapons charges, is currently awaiting trial on a separate charge of cocaine trafficking.
In September 2009, the Integrated Gang Task Force reported that eight associates had been murdered since the public warning by police that those associated with Jon, Jarrod and Jamie Bacon steer clear of the trio or be potentially marked for death by criminals.
While awaiting trial, Jamie Bacon and his co-accused were being held in isolation. B.C. Corrections Service said this measure was for their own protection because other rivals are also in custody awaiting several trials. In what legal observers said was an unusual request, Jamie Bacon applied to the Supreme Court of British Columbia
Supreme Court of British Columbia
The Supreme Court of British Columbia is the superior trial court for the province of British Columbia. The BCSC hears civil and criminal law cases as well as appeals from the Provincial Court of British Columbia. Including supernumerary judges, there are presently 108 judges...
to end his solitary confinement
Solitary confinement
Solitary confinement is a special form of imprisonment in which a prisoner is isolated from any human contact, though often with the exception of members of prison staff. It is sometimes employed as a form of punishment beyond incarceration for a prisoner, and has been cited as an additional...
as a violation of his rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a bill of rights entrenched in the Constitution of Canada. It forms the first part of the Constitution Act, 1982...
. The Court found that James Bacon had been subjected to cruel and unusual treatment while in custody, contrary to section 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a bill of rights entrenched in the Constitution of Canada. It forms the first part of the Constitution Act, 1982...
and that this he had been subjected to such treatment for the purpose of furthering the police investigation. His conditions of confinement were also found to constitute a deprivation of liberty and security of person that was not in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice, contrary to section 7 of the Charter
Section Seven of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Section Seven of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a constitutional provision that protects an individual's autonomy and personal legal rights from actions of the government in Canada. There are three types of protection within the section, namely the right to life, liberty, and...
. During the course of the hearing, it was revealed that Mr. Bacon's privileged telephone calls
Attorney-client privilege
Attorney–client privilege is a legal concept that protects certain communications between a client and his or her attorney and keeps those communications confidential....
with his counsel had been unlawfully recorded. This matter remains before the Court. Mr. Bacon was released into the general prison population and the restrictions on his visits and telephone communications removed.
In May 2010, the court convicted Jamie Bacon of all 11 charges related to the April 2007 discovery of a gun cache but acquitted the older brother Jarrod of all charges.
Death of Jonathan Bacon
On August 14, 2011, Jonathan Bacon was murdered via gunfire outside the Delta Grand Hotel in KelownaKelowna
Kelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley, in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. Its name derives from a Okanagan language term for "grizzly bear"...
, BC. Larry Amero, a full-patch member of the Hells Angels
Hells Angels
The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is a worldwide one-percenter motorcycle gang and organized crime syndicate whose members typically ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In the United States and Canada, the Hells Angels are incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation. Their primary motto...
, was also critically injured in the attack No arrests have been made in this incident thus far.
Superintendent Pat Fogarty of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, suggested that the eldest Bacon's death and the incarceration of the other two brothers, will create such turmoil among the leadership of the gang that the popularity and influence of the Red Scorpions will decrease within the British Columbia gang world.