Charges laid after gatherings at churches in Wheatley, Dresden: police

Chatham-Kent police have once again laid charges in connection to church services in the municipality.

On Monday morning, officers responded to gathering atOld Colony Mennonite Church in Dresden.

A member of the church, a 38-year-old man, has been charged failing to comply with a continued orderunder the Reopening Ontario Act, police said in a media release on Tuesday.

The same day, police charged a 46-year-old church member who lives in Tilburyin response to a gatheringat the Old Colony Mennonite Churchin Wheatley.

There was also a charge laid at that church on Sunday. A43-year-old man was charged in connection with a gathering that took place on Sunday, police said in a media release on Monday.

Under the current provincial shutdown and stay-at-home order, religious gatherings have a limit of 10 people.

Under the act, the minimum fine for hosting a gathering that violates capacity limitsis$10,000. The maximum penalty is $100,000 and a year in jail.

Charges have been laid in connection to gatherings at the two churches, as well as others, several times during the pandemic.