Penticton woman gets nearly three years for dealing in fentanyl-laced heroin | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Penticton woman gets nearly three years for dealing in fentanyl-laced heroin

Jennifer Montgomery of Penticton was sentenced to 34 months in jail on drug trafficking charges in Penticton court today, July 16, 2018.

PENTICTON - A Penticton woman will serve a total of 34 months in jail after being sentenced on drug trafficking charges in Penticton court today.

Jennifer L. Montgomery was sentenced on one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of possession of a controlled substance as a result of being convicted following a trial in Penticton court in March this year.

She was also sentenced today, July 16, after entering guilty pleas on three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, including one count of possessing heroin laced with fentanyl.

The charges relate to another incident that occurred in September, 2016.

The  trial charges stemmed from an incident on June 22, 2016, when police arrested Montgomery after connecting her with drug trafficking in a home based, dial a dope operation through another individual’s cell phone.

A search of Montgomery’s residence revealed methamphetamines valued at $402, other drug dealing items including a digital scale and Canadian cash stashed in a safe in the master bedroom.

Montgomery also entered guilty pleas on three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking when Penticton RCMP arrested her after they observed her selling drugs while playing the slot machines at Penticton Lakeside Casino on Sept. 8, 2016.

Casino security called police after observing what appeared to be suspicious behaviour on Montgomery’s part.

Police surveillance noted Montgomery playing slots while meeting briefly with numerous people.

In several instances, Montgomery gave the individuals a cigarette package after money was inserted into her slot machine.

A search of Montgomery’s purse revealed a variety of pre-packaged drugs that included cocaine, methamphetamine, and a heroin-fentanyl mix.

She was also carrying a cell phone, $842 in cash, and a "score sheet.”

The total value of the drugs in her purse was estimated at $1,661.

Montgomery was still on bail with respect to the June 22 incident when she was apprehended.

Crown Prosecutor Clarke Burnett asked Judge Gary Weatherill to consider an eight month sentence on the trial matters and an additional 30 months' jail for the charges stemming from the Lakeside Casino incident.

Burnett called the casino drug dealing particularly aggravating, as Montgomery was on bail at the time.

He also noted the deals involved fentanyl, which by September of 2016 was known to be deadly, and part of a rising public health crisis.

He said a court decision in 2015 set a precedent for higher penalties as the serious consequences of fentanyl had become well known.

Defence lawyer Michael Patterson argued his client had suffered traumatically as a result of losing custody of her kids after her arrest.

He said his 32-year-old client’s mother had died of an overdose, and was insightful as to the damage drugs had done to her.

Patterson called his client both “victim and player,” calling her a chronic addict under the influence and recently released from prison at the time of her second arrest, adding it appeared she was not the “mastermind of this drug operation.”

He said his client was selling drugs in part to pay for her addictions.

“She has a life ahead, she has qualifications and a good education. She hasn’t resolved her addictions,” Patterson said.

He asked the judge to consider a sentence of 18 months’ total on all charges, followed by 12 months’ probation.

Montgomery told the judge she regretted what she had done “completely,” promising never to be back before the courts.

Judge Weatherill noted Montgomery’s “unpleasant and unstable” upbringing, where both parents used drugs.

She had also lost custody of her three children as a result of her arrest for trafficking.

The judge also referred to Montgomery as a “low level drug dealer,” who nonetheless less had the ability to acquire a wide variety of drugs and distribute them throughout Penticton.

He called the increasing death rates from fentanyl “staggering” saying: “This insanity must end. I’m satisfied, by June 2016 it was widely known fentanyl is a very serious drug causing countless deaths,” adding there must be serious consequences to those dealing in drugs.

The judge sentenced Montgomery to a total of 32 months imprisonment, but added an additional two months to the sentence after defence lawyer Patterson requested the extra time in order for his client to serve her time in a federal institution, where she hoped to have a better chance at early parole.

The judge argreed to a 34 month sentence.

Montgomery has been in jail for 190 days. With enhanced credit she has served 285 days, leaving 735 days, or 24 and a half months left to serve.


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