Man faces nine charges for loaded handgun

Ottawa police have laid nine charges against a man who was found with a loaded handgun during his arrest after allegedly soliciting an undercover cop posing as a prostitute.

Officers arrested the man just after 10:30 p.m. on Thursday when he approached the woman and propositioned her for sex at the intersection of Gladstone Avenue and Bell Street, according to a police press release. He was found with a loaded .22 calibre Phoenix Arms handgun, police said.


Police have charged John Babin, 44, with possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of a firearm obtained through criminal activity, and communicating for the purpose of prostitution, according to the press release.

Police asked that his Friday bail hearing be delayed for three days while they continue investigating the incident, according to media reports.