New testimony in the first-degree murder trial of Janson Baker has shed light on a massive law enforcement operation that took place just days before the 2019 killings of Bernard and Rose-Marie Saulnier. The details provide a complex backdrop of organized crime, internal betrayals, and a drug network that allegedly targeted the victims’ family.
The J-Trilogy Operation and the Saulnier Connection
During court proceedings, investigators detailed a high-stakes probe codenamed “J-Trilogy.” Launched in early 2019, the operation utilized wiretaps, undercover agents, and extensive surveillance to dismantle a provincial drug network allegedly led by Jesse Logue. The investigation reached a tipping point on August 28, 2019, when authorities executed simultaneous raids on five different properties.
One of the raided locations was a duplex in Moncton owned by Sylvio Saulnier, the son of the murdered couple. While the network’s leadership was arrested and large quantities of crystal meth and firearms were seized, the fallout of the raid proved fatal for the Saulnier family. Just ten days after the police action, Bernard and Rose-Marie Saulnier were found dead in their Dieppe home.
A Deadly Rift and Alleged Contract Killings
The prosecution contends that the drug network experienced a violent internal rift following the raids. Members of the group reportedly began to suspect that Sylvio Saulnier had cooperated with law enforcement. According to testimony, this suspicion led the network to direct Janson Baker to locate and eliminate Sylvio.
Evidence presented to the jury suggests that Sylvio served as the group’s financial manager, with drug proceeds flowing into a bank account in his name. His property on Dominion Street was described as a sophisticated “drug house,” featuring a fortified steel door with a transaction slot and a formal timecard system for employees. While Sylvio was eventually charged following the investigation, he never stood trial, having died by suicide before the case could proceed.
The Role of Lake George and Nicholas Bain
The trial has also focused on a residence in Lake George, west of Fredericton, where Baker was reportedly staying with Nicholas Bain, an associate of the drug network. The Crown alleges that Bain was the individual who specifically tasked Baker with finding Sylvio. Previous witnesses testified that Baker was compensated for the violence with a gold neck chain and cocaine.
Forensic investigators testified about searching the Lake George property, where they discovered items in a fire pit, including a partially destroyed license plate linked to a silver Hyundai Sonata. This vehicle matches the description of the car witnesses saw near the Saulnier home. Additionally, jewelry found at the site was investigated to determine if it belonged to Rose-Marie Saulnier.
Unsolved Disappearances and Threats
The jury also heard about the atmosphere of intimidation surrounding the case. Monique Boyer, an associate of the network, allegedly threatened both Sylvio Saulnier and his parents shortly before the murders. She was later arrested in connection with those threats.
Furthermore, the name of Brady Sherman-Tompkins, an employee at the Dominion Street drug house, surfaced during testimony. Sherman-Tompkins was arrested during the initial raids but not charged. He was reported missing shortly after the Saulnier murders in September 2019. His disappearance was later classified as a homicide, and the case remains unsolved.
Janson Baker has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder. The trial is expected to continue as the court examines further forensic evidence and witness statements regarding the events leading up to the tragedy.
