One of the weapons seized in the raid.
Image Credit: Vernon North Okanagan RCMP
October 25, 2022 - 1:02 PM
A 36-year-old Vernon man who had multiple weapons lying around his home when it was raided by police has been sentenced to three and a half years in jail.
Brandon Tarl Thomas Wilson, born 1986, appeared at the Vernon courthouse by video from custody Oct. 21 to hear what his sentence would be.
Wilson told Provincial Court Judge Richard Hewson it was "horribly embarrassing" to be back in jail.
"I'd like to apologize for being in this seat again," Wilson said.
The court heard how in February 2021 Wilson was pulled over after rolling through a stop sign.
Wilson didn't have a licence and was asked to get out of the vehicle and the police spotted weapons in the driver's side door. He was arrested and the vehicle was searched.
Police found a handgun under the driver's seat with an illegal magazine inserted into it, and a mini pump action shotgun in the trunk.
Eleven months later, in January this year, RCMP used a warrant at Wilson's 25 Avenue home and uncovered more weapons.
Two prohibited weapons, a handgun and a revolver, along with a semi-automatic rifle were seized as well as prohibited firearm silencers and ammunition.
Police also found a flick knife and a stolen hunting licence.
Wilson, who was already prohibited from owning firearms, and his partner were both arrested and he has remained in custody since.
At no point during the court hearing was it explained why Wilson had so many weapons.
He was ultimately charged with 20 separate offences. He pleaded guilty to seven charges.
The court heard charges against the partner would be dropped.
It's not the first time the RCMP has obtained search warrants regarding Wilson.
In 2018 RCMP uncovered around 100 suspected stolen items from a storage facility estimated to be worth $35,000.
Wilson and another individual, Natasha Perry, were both arrested.
Wilson has also been convicted of assault in a domestic abuse case in 2016.
Defence lawyer Nelson Selamaj said Wilson had been diagnosed with mild autism and was addicted to methamphetamine.
He had however worked as a roofer for a decade and had periods away from the criminal justice system.
Selamaj said his client was physically and emotionally abused by his father as a child.
"Mr. Wilson was provided with little to no guidance whatsoever in his life," the defence lawyer said.
Selamaj said Wilson's father had grown marijuana when he was young and encouraged him to sell it at school.
"His father glorified that kind of life of selling and using drugs," the defence lawyer said.
While it wasn't explained, the court heard how there were possible charter arguments raised in Wilson's case and the joint submission from both lawyers was described as a "quid pro quo."
The defence lawyer told the court Wilson had described being in custody as a "blessing" although he hated it.
The court heard how Wilson's partner had had a child while he was incarcerated.
"The whole time I've spent in here I've thought nothing of anything other than I want to get out and be a good father and a good husband," Wilson told the court.
"It seems you have two things waiting for you when you are released, one of them is the drugs because they are always going to be there, and the other is your daughter," Judge Hewson said before adding, "And I hope you pick your daughter."
With time already spent in custody, Wilson will spend another 27 months behind bars.
READ MORE: Vernon mom says son sabotaged own court process
To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2022