Ont. man who told judge to shut her mouth sentenced for targeting police officers and their families online

Warning: This article contains graphic language and disturbing content.

Dylan Zona will be staying in jail for another 16 months for what the judge described as hate-motivated crimes against police officers and their spouses.

Zona, 31, was sentenced to a total of 32 months minus time served in custody after being convicted of criminal harassment and telecommunications in the targeting of two Barrie police officers and their loved ones online between 2022 and 2024.

The court heard Zona used social media to target the male officers and their loved ones online, obsessively messaging them, making lewd remarks, tracking personal accounts, taking photos of their partners and impersonating one of the officers to contact unsuspecting friends and family.

In one case, Zona was convicted of contacting the mother of one officer and threatened to harm their children and poison their dog, saying he had the right to put one of the officers “six feet under.”

Zona addressed the court and begged for forgiveness. He told the court he was battling mental health issues and abusing alcohol, saying he heard voices and became angry with police following bad interactions with the officers.

He told the court he is getting help while in jail and wants to go back to school, get a good job and start a family. The court was provided no medical records to confirm Zona’s health claims.

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Dylan Zona previously faced a potential contempt of court charge in Aug. 2024 after he told the regional senior judge to shut her “wh-- e mouth.” He signed a peace bond on and resolved earlier charges and was not charged further with contempt after apologizing to the court for his abusive language.

During his criminal harassment trial, Zona mocked the court on his Facebook page, making vulgar and misogynistic remarks, insulting police, judges and female court staff.

“Your Honour, I promise you, if you give me a second chance, I won’t mess it up,” said Zona. “I will continue to get the help I need and get my life together.”

Crown Attorney Indy Kandola questioned Zona’s sincerity, accusing Zona of being especially angry toward women and stating that his misogyny included a post with a caption that the female judge show him her breasts. Zona told the court his actions and words were physically harmless.

“I haven’t hurt anybody. I haven’t killed anybody. I can still say I am sorry; I understand it’s an honest mistake. It’s words.”

The Crown told Zona he only expressed remorse because he was found guilty. The Crown, when reached for comment, told CTV News, Zona “tried to diminish the female victims and justice system participants because of their gender,” including the judge, while blinded by hate and “What he will likely never fully appreciate is that the judge used all of her acquired knowledge and skill through her years of hard work and dedication and demonstrated great restraint in his favour.

A level of restraint that only a seasoned, experienced, thoughtful and intelligent woman could demonstrate.”

Justice Dawson said Zona lacked insight into his actions and is ordered not to communicate with his victims or make threatening comments or posts to police officers or their family members on social media. Zona is also ordered to stay away from Barrie once out of jail. The defence said he plans to live in Espanola.

Following his release from custody, Zona is also banned from having weapons on him for 20 years.