Photo by Curtis Galbraith

By Curtis Galbraith

Court

Court updates from Grande Prairie, Valleyview

Nov 25, 2019 | 4:30 AM

A guilty plea to a possession for the purpose of trafficking charge has led to a four-year jail sentence for one of the people charged in a Grande Prairie drug bust.

Alberta Justice says the sentence for Youssaf Hassan was handed down November 14 in Grande Prairie court. He will be given 30 days credit for time already spent in custody. Four other charges were withdrawn.

He was among four people arrested after May of 2017 searches of two apartments located in the Smith and Southview neighbourhoods.

ALERT members seized more than 300 fentanyl pills, along with crack, crystal meth and more than $4000 cash.

Charges against the other three, Sara Desjarlais, Lemesa Rare, and Mulugata Mekonen, were earlier withdrawn.

Plan Ahead

Why Would You Pre-Plan Your Funeral?

Apr 03, 2024

Dying away from home

What Happens if You Die Away From Home?

Mar 04, 2024

Flag Retiring Ceremony

What Do You Do With Worn-Out Flags?

Feb 01, 2024

Update on Sturgeon Lake shooting incident

Alberta Justice says one of the people charged after what RCMP called a shooting incident at Sturgeon Make Cree Nation has been given a 90-day jail sentence.

Lawrence Edward Tyson Kiyawasew was given the 90-days time served after pleading guilty to charges of unauthorized possession of a firearm and careless use or storage of a firearm November 9 in Valleyview court. Sixteen charges were withdrawn.

Back in May, Wynonna Kristen Lynn Gauchey was given a $500 fine after pleading guilty to an unauthorized possession of a firearm count. Eight charges were withdrawn.

All 18 charges against Tess Courtereille and both laid against Damian Alan James Kappo were withdrawn earlier.

A warrant remains out for Dorian Harvey after he failed to show up for his trial that had been scheduled for September 5.

They were all arrested after Valleyview RCMP got reports of an incident from August 9, 2018, where two groups of people pointed firearms at each other and some shots were fired. No one was injured, but bullets hit a house and a vehicle.

Charges withdrawn in drug case

Charges have been withdrawn against a man charged after a November 2018 drug arrest at Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation.

Alberta Justice says the two counts against Leroy Chowace were withdrawn November 14 in Valleyview court. Two charges against Louis Manichoose were withdrawn in February.

A third man was charged after a search November 29 of last year where methamphetamine, weapons, and ammunition were seized.

Barry Goodswimmer was reported missing in June and later found dead.

Two men have been charged with his murder.

A preliminary hearing for Allan Hamelin and Harlin Martineau is set for June 1 through 10, 2020.