A 34-year-old man received a sentence of nearly three and a half years behind bars in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on Tuesday for having a loaded handgun in Casino Moose Jaw last April.
In a plea deal between Legal Aid lawyer Suzanne Lalonde and Crown prosecutor Rob Parker, Nigel Wolfe pleaded guilty to two counts of being in possession of a firearm or ammunition while prohibited, possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition and possession of crystal meth.
Wolfe was sentenced to 40 months concurrent for the firearm offences and 60 days concurrent for possession of crystal meth.
Wolfe had been in custody since April 15, 2023, and was given 510 days enhanced credit, meaning he has 690 days or 23 months left to serve.
Wolfe was arrested last April when police were made aware that he was inside the casino and was wanted on multiple warrants. Police seized a nine-round ammunition clip and one ounce of crystal meth from his pocket and a loaded .22 calibre handgun from his waistband.
In his submissions, Parker presented the court with Wolfe’s previous criminal record which he described as “lengthy”, and that the mere possession of a firearm is serious.
Lalonde outlined Wolfe’s Gladue factors as an Indigenous person and said Wolfe had indicated to her that he wanted to stop the cycle. She said his first daughter was born while he was in custody, he completed his GED while in jail and is looking to pursue post-secondary education.
Judge Patrick Koskie followed the joint submission and noted Wolfe’s lengthy prior criminal record involving firearms.
“It’s really something you can’t be fooling around with,” Koskie told Wolfe.
However, Koskie said the birth of his daughter could be a turning point in Wolfe’s life and told him now is the time to seek help.
Charges including flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, operating a vehicle while prohibited, careless use of a firearm, possession of a concealed weapon, possession of a restricted weapon without a license, breaking and entering and possession of proceeds obtained by crime under $5,000 were all stayed by the Crown.