Two Men Charged With Multiple Offences in Stratford

Saturday, 29 June 2019 08:57

The two men were charged a multiple offences each, including possession of an illegal substance and possession of a credit card.

STRATFORD - A Toronto man is facing multiple charges after impersonating a lawyer in a Stratford courtroom.

36-year-old Justin Zamperin appeared in court representing West Vancouver resident David Crowe on June 25th, who was scheduled to appear on charges for criminal harassment, harassing telephone calls and a breach of probation.

Crowe failed to show up for court, but he did send Zamperin to act as his legal counsel. Zamperin provided a false name to the courtroom when he announced himself as Crowe’s representative, however the courts did not accept him as counsel and issued a warrant for Crowe for failing to attend court.

Due to the circumstances, police followed Zamperin as he drove out of the court parking lot with a passenger in his car. Zamperin pulled over to the side of the road on Highway 8, just outside of Stratford where Crowe was seen exiting the passenger-side-door.

Crowe was arrested on the warrant and officers spoke with Zamperin, who provided another name. He was arrested for possessing fraudulent documents.

Both Crowe and Zamperin were brought to the Stratford police headquarters.

During the drive, and upon arrival, at the police station, police became increasingly suspicious that Zamperin was under the influence of drugs after showing physical signs. At the station, Zamperin was arrested for drug impairment.

After undergoing a drug test, Zamperin had a stimulant and narcotic analgesic, believed to be methamphetamine and heroine. Using the Ministry of Transportation database, police were able to confirm that Zamperin was none of the people he portrayed, or the names he had given.

Zamperin provided his real identity and it was found that he had a number of outstanding warrants from Toronto and Niagara Falls; as well as being on a number of release conditions that he was breaching. Crowe was also found to be breaching several court imposed conditions, including not to be in contact with Zamperin.

After searching the vehicle, police found over five grams of methamphetamine and one gram of fentanyl; various pieces of identification bearing different names with both Zamperin’s and Crowe’s photos, as well as an illegal flick knife.

Both men were held in custody on a number of charges.

Zamperin was charged with 20 different offences, including operation while impaired by drug, possession of an illegal substance, identity theft, personation, possession of credit card data, possession of an identity document, unauthorized possession of a weapon, obstruction of justice and breach of recognizance.

Crowe was charged with 8 different offences, including possession of an illegal substance, possession of credit card data, identity theft, breach of probation and breach of recognizance.