LLOYDMINSTER – An Onion Lake man got into the drug trade as a means to make a living, Lloydminster court heard Wednesday.
Saskatoon defence lawyer Jared Aumiller said 39-year-old Aaron Chief started selling drugs when he was unemployed.
“He discovered he could make some quick money and it was an opportunity he never had before. The ability to make cash quickly was as addictive as the drug itself."
Appearing by CCTV in Lloydminster court, 39-year-old Aaron Chief pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking drugs, two counts of obstruction/resisting arrest, possession of a weapon (brass knuckles), and driving while prohibited.
Judge Michelle Baldwin accepted the Crown and defence's joint submission and sentenced Chief to 660 days in jail. With credit for his 267 days of pre-sentence custody, he has 393 days left to serve.
Federal Prosecutor Vic Findlater told the court that on June 5, 2021, Onion Lake RCMP pulled over a vehicle with an expired plate. Police found methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as a handgun under the passenger seat, brass knuckles within reach, three pellet guns, and a backpack containing weapons and ammunition.
Chief was also charged with trafficking cocaine in two separate traffic stops Nov. 23, 2020, and July 18, 2020.
North Battleford Prosecutor Oryn Holm presented the court with the provincial charges stemming from traffic stops Oct. 23, 2020, and July 25, 2021, where Chief was charged with obstruction/resisting arrest and driving while prohibited.
Aumiller told the court Chief had Gladue factors to consider. Both him and his mother attended residential day school.
“There is a cycle of trauma that is happening. He wants to break the cycle."
Judge Baldwin said she took the Gladue factors into consideration, as well as Chief's guilty pleas.
"Meth and cocaine have devastating consequences on families and communities," she said. "You have seen it. You have lived it."
Judge Baldwin added that the impacts of drugs on smaller and First Nations communities are greater because they have fewer resources to deal with addictions.
Chief was also given a 10-year weapons prohibition and was ordered to submit his DNA to the national DNA databank.
