Driver’s clothing was coated with cocaine
A Whitehorse man found guilty of possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking has been sentenced to two years in jail.
Photo by Whitehorse Star
Ronald Asuchak
A Whitehorse man found guilty of possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking has been sentenced to two years in jail.
Aside from the drug charge, Ronald Asuchak was also found guilty of dangerous driving and failing to stop for a peace officer after he attempted to flee from the RCMP while dumping cocaine out his car window.
This is his third drug-related conviction in as many years.
The 54-year-old was arrested April 21, 2011 after the police attempted to pull over the car he was driving in downtown Whitehorse.
Though first appearing to slow down for the officers, Asuchak fled and attempted to dispose of the cocaine by holding one or two plastic bags out the window.
In his sentencing Monday afternoon, territorial court Judge John Faulkner said it was clear the drugs were for more than Asuchak’s own use “given that a cloud of cocaine billowed from the car for some blocks.”
When Asuchak and his passenger were eventually arrested, the front of his clothes was covered in cocaine powder. There was cocaine on the driver’s side floor and seat, according to court documents.
Asuchak’s lawyer, Ann Pollak, had proposed a sentence of between 10 and 12 months.
Faulkner called the suggestion “completely unfit in this case,” pointing out that Asuchak had received a 10-month sentence for his first conviction in 2009.
Pollak also suggested that Asuchak should receive a shorter sentence given the cramped and aging conditions at the current Whitehorse Correctional Centre.
She pointed out that Asuchak was forced to take phone calls in the washroom in order to get some privacy.
As well, he had made a number of complaints to officials regarding air quality and other conditions while in custody.
Jail officials also issued an apology recently for mistakenly opening privileged correspondence between Asuchak and his lawyer, she said.
Faulkner said he accepted that the 45-year-old correctional centre is out of date but added that Asuchak was suffering the same conditions of anyone incarcerated at the jail.
The newly-built, $70-million Whitehorse Correctional Centre is expected to be fully operational by February.
The new facility will be capable of housing as many as 190 inmates.
Given the time he has already spent in custody, Asuchak has about 10 months left to serve.
yukonjj
Jan 24, 2012 at 4:34 pm
Another ridiculous sentence. 3 convictions in 3 years and this is all he gets? He will be doing the same thing again as soon as he is released. Its about time our courts start to impose real time to these predators.