Man ‘in the wrong place at the wrong time’
One of the suspects arrested in drug raids earlier this year in Whitehorse was sentenced this morning in territorial court.
One of the suspects arrested in drug raids earlier this year in Whitehorse was sentenced this morning in territorial court.
Jason Reece Morgan, 33, of Abbotsford, B.C., pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon and theft under $5,000.
Judge Nancy Orr imposed a 7 1/2-month sentence.
It was jointly proposed by Crown prosecutor Eric Marcoux and defence lawyer Melissa Atkinson.
Given the time Morgan has spent in pre-sentence custody since his arrest, he will be released from jail today.
He is scheduled to leave the Yukon this evening on a bus bound for British Columbia.
“Get ready for the bus,” the judge said.
As part of his two-year probation, he’s not allowed to return to the territory.
Morgan was arrested last March along with several other suspects now facing charges of cocaine trafficking and weapons possession.
However, “he was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” the defence lawyer said.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Morgan was couch-surfing at a Whitehorse home that was raided by RCMP last March 16.
“It appears he has no connection to the other individuals facing charges,” Marcoux said.
During the search though, police found a push dagger in Morgan’s possession, leading to the charge of possessing a prohibited weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Five days prior, Morgan had been seen attempting to walk out of the Real Canadian Superstore with a $136 stereo system he hadn’t paid for, Marcoux said.
A security guard stopped him and asked him to return to the store, which he did.
But when he was told to wait for the RCMP, Morgan left. He was arrested shortly after in his car with a stun gun in his possession.
He didn’t have a licence for it, Marcoux said.
Morgan has been in custody since the “takedown” last March 16, Marcoux said.
Given credit of 1 1/2 days for every day spent in jail, he’s served 7 1/2 months – his full sentence.
He’s banned from possessing firearms for five years, and must provide a sample of his DNA.
Atkinson said her client has a supportive family and a history of steady employment.
His parents have arranged for his bus trip back to B.C., and he has a job waiting for him there.
His ex-girlfriend also gave birth to a daughter last January who Morgan hasn’t yet met, Atkinson said.
She said the guilty pleas and sentencing were delayed because of lengthy disclosure from the Crown – about 7,000 pages of documents in all.
The 20 other charges Morgan faced, including drug trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime, were stayed by the Crown.
Starting in May 2014, Yukon RCMP conducted a 10-month investigation into trafficking in the territory.
It culminated in a series of raids and seizures of cocaine, cash and guns.
Four people were arrested March 16, followed by more arrests in the days that followed.
In all, RCMP sought 12 suspects.
Comments (8)
Up 19 Down 1
right.... on Aug 11, 2015 at 2:39 pm
Man ‘in the wrong place at the wrong time’
That's what they all say....
Up 20 Down 1
moe on Aug 11, 2015 at 11:52 am
He was found in a house with guns, cocaine, and stolen property. He had on his person a dagger and a stun gun (illegally). He was caught stealing a stereo at WalMart and escaped custody.
But the story is that he had 'no association' with the coke dealers who had the guns. He was just invited in to sleep on the couch. Sure.
This loser can go back to Abbotsford and I think it is entirely appropriate that the state have a DNA sample so it's easier to catch him next time he pulls something. I do not believe that his gigs in Whitehorse were his first, nor that they will be his last. As for the weapons ban, that is good too. Next time he gets caught with a weapon he might have more serious consequences.
Up 15 Down 2
ProScience Greenie on Aug 11, 2015 at 8:30 am
So if you get a slick enough lawyer you can get away with hanging out with thieves, cocaine dealers and gun runners? Oh well, at least he's booted out of the territory for a while so there's some good news.
Up 3 Down 10
Matt on Aug 9, 2015 at 9:43 am
Max Mack: he has to provide a sample of his DNA to study it and marvel.
Up 81 Down 80
Josey Wales on Aug 9, 2015 at 1:28 am
Max Mack....sad to say bud, yes we have reached that point years ago.
Despite my clear disdain of criminal scum, scary how many cases have mandatory dna gathering, firearms bans, and other alleged freedoms of association bans etc,
...whilst we get more publication bans, thought police, hurt feelings vice all the while the charade continues....that we are free people, living in a free society.
we are so sooooo not, revisit 1984 and animal farm (for a mere start)...we learned jack!
Up 44 Down 96
Mike on Aug 8, 2015 at 11:08 am
Stop giving time and a half credit for remand. The accused play the delay tactic deliberately. The courts should be embarrassed.
Up 39 Down 87
Tito on Aug 7, 2015 at 11:36 pm
"Given credit of 1 1/2 days for every day spent in jail..."
Why?
Up 47 Down 21
Max Mack on Aug 7, 2015 at 4:25 pm
Must provide a sample of his DNA? I thought this was supposed to be reserved for certain sexual and dangerous offenders?
Are we already gone down that slippery slope?