By Curtis Galbraith

Court

Court update: Jail time given in two cases, charges withdrawn in another

Sep 27, 2021 | 6:00 AM

Jail time for one accused after incident that prompted school hold and secure

Alberta Justice says one of the two people charged after a February incident that led to a short hold and secure at Ridgevalley School has been given jail time.

Michael Russell Charles Stemmler of Red Deer was given 12 months in jail after pleading guilty to a charge of arson – damage to property August 31 in Grande Prairie. He was given an additional six months to cover two counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000.

Four firearms charges were withdrawn.

He and another man were charged on February 3, 2021 after police received a report of a suspicious vehicle stuck in a field.

While on their way, Mounties were told that the vehicle had been set on fire and two men had run into some nearby woods.

Shots were heard while RCMP were tracking the pair. One surrendered right away, the other surrendered about an hour later.

Another Red Der man, James Patrick Gosse, is due to stand trial November 10, 2021.

Jail time after stolen vehicle and trailer found at County campsite

Alberta Justice says a man charged after a stolen vehicle and trailer were found at a campsite in January of this year has been given jail time.

Thomas Christopher Burt was given a 540-day sentence after pleading guilty to charges of possession of stolen property, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of a prohibited weapon knowing its possession is unauthorized September 7 in Peace River court.

Fifteen other charges were withdrawn. Burt was given 327 days credit for time already spent in custody.

He was charged after police got a call on January 9, 2021 about a man camping on Crown land in the County of Grande Prairie.

Mounties found a vehicle that had been reported stolen in La Glace December 2, 2020 and a trailer that had been reported stolen in Beaverlodge December 14, 2020.

RCMP also recovered three loaded weapons, including a sawed-off shotgun, and what they suspect was just under four grams of methamphetamine.

Charges withdrawn in drugs, weapons case

Alberta Justice says all charges against two people from Grande Prairie after a drugs and weapons seizure earlier this year have been withdrawn.

Fourteen charges against Shenine Jamie Hoffman and 13 more against Landon Carter Letendre were withdrawn during an August 25 court appearance.

Both were facing two charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking and a long list of weapons charges.

They were charged after a February 12, 2021 search at a home in the Hillside area.

Police said at the time they seized cocaine, GHB, methamphetamine, a rifle, a handgun, a shotgun, two Airsoft pistols, and $4900 cash.