Ex-wrestler, biker loses bid for early release
Ion Kroitoru now downplays role in conspiracy to kill Bacon brothers, says it was ‘false bravado’
A colourful former wrestler, biker and bit actor convicted of conspiring to kill the notorious Bacon brothers has been denied parole.
Ion Kroitoru, a.k.a. Johnny K-9, appeared before the Parole Board of Canada earlier this month in a bid to gain his release a year and a half after he pleaded guilty in the highprofile murder conspiracy case.
In July 2013, Kroitoru agreed he was part of the deadly plot by the United Nations gang that led to public daylight shootings with “highpowered weaponry.”
He was sentenced to 13 years minus credit for pre-trial custody served, for a net sentence of four years and eight months.
But now Kroitoru is claiming that he was only guilty of “being a braggart and having ‘false bravado.’ ”
Parole board documents obtained by The Vancouver Sun say Kroitoru, now 51, is minimizing his role in the plot to kill Jonathan, Jarrod and Jamie Bacon and their Red Scorpion associates.
“You told the board that you were ‘drunk’ and hanging out with some ‘ bad people’ that you were trying to impress. You denied being a big player in the conspiracy,” the documents state. “However, you did tell the board that when the hired killer did not do his job, you stepped up and said that you would do the murders.” Kroitoru is one of seven men linked to the UN gang who have pleaded guilty in the murder plot.
He claimed to the parole board that he “would never kill anyone” and only pleaded guilty so he could move on with his life.
“You also denied ever being a member of the UN gang. However you stated that you did associate with high-ranking members of this criminal organization.”
The documents reveal that halfway houses where Kroitoru wanted to reside refused to take the longtime gangster.
“They had significant concerns and issues surrounding your personal safety as well as the safety of staff and other offenders residing at the residence,” the board noted.
Kroitoru told parole board members that he wants to leave his life of crime behind and become “a family man,” with “legitimate work.”
But the board pointed out that Kroitoru has maintained “ongoing association with gang members in prison.”
He was suspected of ordering an inmate beating carried out by two others on Dec. 30, 2014, to which Kroitoru responded: “I am no angel but I had nothing to do with the assault of the inmate.”
Kroitoru has also come to the attention of prison officials for “the intimidation of other offenders as well as involvement in the institutional drug sub-culture,” the documents state.
The parole board laid out his extensive criminal history in Ontario dating back to 1983, which includes convictions for trafficking, extortion, use of explosives and assault.
“There is also a report on file that indicates you were believed to have been paid to arrange for the execution of a double homicide in 1998. However, the Crown Attorney decided not to proceed with charges against you,” the documents say.
The board pointed to Kroitoru’s stint as president of a Satan’s Choice chapter, as well as his reputation for violence and intimidation.
“You told the board that you have not always been a criminal and that you had a successful career as a professional wrestler and as an actor,” the documents state. “You said that the criminal lifestyle attracted you because of the money you could make trafficking drugs. You said that the lifestyle was exciting.”
A troubling theme in Kroitoru’s responses, the board said, was that he minimized his wrongdoing.
“On almost every aspect of your criminal record … you downplayed your involvement in criminal activities and defected blame onto other associates and even a police detective who had investigated you in Ontario for murder.”