Image Credit: FILE PHOTO
January 08, 2018 - 6:30 PM
KAMLOOPS - A Kamloops man found guilty of firearms and weapons charges could spend up to three years behind bars if Crown gets its way.
Jason Robertson, 40, was convicted of several offences last year, mainly involving the improper storage of firearms, possessing weapons and possessing stolen property.
Crown prosecutor Evan Goulet is seeking a two- to three-year prison sentence for Robertson, who he says was a drug trafficker when he was arrested back in 2014, although Robertson was not convicted of any drug-related offences.
Robertson was originally charged with dozens of offences after police raided his Sahali home that year, but many of the charges were stayed leading up to his trial due to a breach of his Charter rights.
His wife Sarah was also charged with a number of offences, but Crown didn't call any evidence against her during the trial and she was acquitted of all charges.
While Crown seeks a federal sentence for Robertson, his lawyer Micah Rankin told the court a provincial sentence would be more appropriate.
Robertson's conviction of possessing a prohibited weapon comes with a mandatory minimum sentence of one-year in prison, but Rankin plans on making a Charter challenge tomorrow, Jan. 8.
If the defence wins the challenge, Rankin is asking for a six-month to nine-month prison sentence for Robertson, who he says is a completely different man compared to who he was at the time of his arrest in 2014.
If B.C. Supreme Court Justice Jeanne Watchuk upholds the mandatory minimum sentence, Rankin would ask for a sentence of 12 to 18 months behind bars.
"Mr. Robertson is a different person today than he was four years ago," Rankin told the court.
Goulet said in his sentencing submissions a 10-year firearm prohibition and a DNA order would be sought.
Watchuk is expected to make her decision on both sentencing and the Charter challenge next month.
For more about the investigation and what led up to so many charges againt Robertson being stayed, go here.
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