Man convicted in city hall threats case arrested on warrants

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: A 68-year-old Cameron man, previously found guilty of three criminal offences, following a lengthy jury trial, in Lindsay, is facing four additional charges after being arrested by Kawartha Lakes police.

Bill Denby was taken into custody, on Wednesday, October 28th, after members of the Kawartha Lakes Police Service (KLPS) Criminal Investigations Branch, assisted by the service's Entry Team, executed a search warrant, at his residence.

Police gained entry, through boarded-up and fortified doors, before safely arresting Mr. Denby, without incident.

He was wanted on committal warrants and additional matters related to failing to attend court.

Following his arrest, Mr. Denby was charged with obstruction of justice, failure to comply with a release order, and two counts of failing to attend court while on a release order.

He was held for a bail hearing.

The arrest follows a September jury verdict, in which Mr. Denby was found guilty on three criminal charges, stemming from incidents in 2023 and 2024, involving threats directed at, then-Kawartha Lakes Mayor, Doug Elmslie and other members of city council.

The charges included uttering death threats, criminal harassment, and intimidating a justice participant.

Mr. Denby pleaded not guilty and represented himself throughout the lengthy trial, in Lindsay.

During the proceedings, the Crown alleged, Mr. Denby sent a threatening email, in April of 2024, to all nine members of city council, several municipal staff members, and others. The Crown argued, the message contained threats, involving: killing, poisoning, and burying municipal officials and their families. It also allegedly referred to death by hanging, hunting people down, knowing where they lived, and described itself as a "final warning."

During his trial, Mr. Denby denied sending the email, telling jurors several people had access to his email accounts.

He maintained the charges against him were fabricated, in retaliation for his group's efforts to expose, what he described as, municipal corruption. During his testimony, Mr. Denby also alleged, the police and city officials had conspired to kill him.

In a statement, following the arrest, KLPS recognized the officers involved in the operation.

"The Kawartha Lakes Police Service would like to recognize the efforts of all officers involved in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion, while ensuring the safety of the public and those involved," the statement stated.