Pubdate: Fri, 23 Sep 2016
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Dalson Chen
Page: A1

CRIME STOPPERS EXEC OUSTED FOLLOWING POT BUST

The former president of Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers is
facing charges in connection with a large-scale illegal marijuana grow
operation.

Jon-Paul Fuller, 44, of Lakeshore, is one of two people who OPP
charged after officers raided a property in Leamington on Wednesday
morning.

Shortly after the charges were made public Thursday, the local Crime
Stoppers' board ousted Fuller. He had been involved with the
organization since 2013 as a board member, was named treasurer in 2015
and became president this June.

The Leamington raid took place around 9 a.m. Wednesday at 1935 Fox Run
Rd. - a large, multi-lot property with residences and numerous
greenhouse facilities.

Provincial police were out in full force, including members of the
tactical team, organized crime bureau, drug enforcement unit, forensic
unit and patrol officers. They stayed on the scene conducting their
investigation throughout Wednesday and overnight into Thursday morning.

The OPP did not say how much marijuana was seized.

Also charged is Doc Van Phan, 53, of Leamington. Both Fuller and Phan
face charges of producing marijuana and possessing marijuana for the
purpose of trafficking.

In a prepared statement, Essex County OPP Insp. Glenn Miller warned:
"The illegal cultivation of marijuana remains a criminal offence.

The significance of yet another large-scale marijuana grow operation
in Essex County underscores the efforts of individuals to undermine
current legislation.

"Those involved in this type of activity can be assured they have our
attention."

Fuller and Phan are scheduled to make a court appearance in Leamington
on Nov. 17.

Charlie Hotham, past president of Windsor & Essex County Crime
Stoppers, said the organization's board of directors held an emergency
meeting on Thursday afternoon to terminate Fuller's
involvement.

"We moved very quickly, very swiftly . ... He is no longer associated
with the Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers program," Hotham said.

Crime Stoppers has bylaws that allow a member's immediate removal if
there is violation of the organization's rules, he said. "The most
important thing for our program - an award-winning program - is integrity."

Since 1985, Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers has offered monetary
rewards for anonymous tips from the public about criminal incidents in
the region.

Hotham stressed that the board of directors is purely administrative
and has no access to the tips that Crime Stoppers receives: "Our board
members are not privy to confidential information."

Hotham said he and other members only learned about the raid and
Fuller's charges when the OPP went public about it on Thursday.

"It was disheartening," Hotham admitted. "We have worked so hard to
have a good and effective program.

"Our program speaks for itself - and to have something like this
happen with one of our directors was so disheartening. It was
extremely difficult for our board to accept."

The charges are not Fuller's first connection with
marijuana.

According to a LinkedIn page under his name, Fuller was president and
CEO of Aphria - a licensed medical marijuana production company based
in Leamington - from February 2013 to May 2014.

More recently, Fuller's page identifies him as the president of "CAFR
Corp" since July 2015. The company is described as "Assisting MMPR
patients" - a reference to Marijuana for Medical Purposes
Regulations.

The LinkedIn page also names Fuller the CFO and co-owner of Cable One,
described as a cable, Internet and telephone provider, and the
president of JPF Komon Kaisha Inc., described as a financial guidance
provider.

Fuller could not be reached for comment.
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MAP posted-by: Matt