Police find meth in sweater pocket

William Elie was found with numerous narcotics when city police stopped a vehicle that had an unattached licence plate, a judge heard Tuesday.

The 24-year-old man pleaded guilty to seven charges, including four drug possession offences, in connection with the Sept. 8 incident.

As well as the drug-related offences, he also was convicted of possession of a prohibited weapon (bear spray), possession of stolen property, and breach of  probation.

Officers spotted the truck on Wallace Terrace, and followed it to a driveway on Allen Street, federal prosecutor Ben Pritchard said.

Elie, one of the three occupants and a suspended driver, was behind the wheel.

He was arrested and placed in a cruiser.

A search discovered four plastic zip bags, containing 8.29 grams of methamphetamine, in a sweater pocket, Pritchard said.

The accused also had 4.34 grams of cocaine, 15 percocet pills and .2 grams of fentanyl.

An examination of the vehicle revealed a beige duffel bag with writing on it that said "William Elie's stuff."

A can of bear spray and a watch that had been reported stolen by the widow of a local man following a break-in were located in the bag, Pritchard said.

The Crown and defence lawyer Eric McCooeye jointly recommended that Elie be sentenced to six months jail, less credit for the time he has spent behind bars in pre-sentence custody.

The sentence takes into account Elie's guilty pleas, and a Gladue report that chronicles his client's difficult life and criminal background, McCooeye said.

He told Ontario Court Justice Melanie Dunn that if the sentence is going to be effective, 18 months probation also needs to be imposed so his client can take advantage of Indigenous services available to him.

"I would suggest the more important part of the sentence is probation," the defence said, suggesting that if Elie doesn't follow through "it's going to be life in jail on the instalment plan."

When she imposed the sentence, Dunn said she had no hesitation in going along with the joint position.

The judge noted many favorable comments about Elie in the report, telling him "If you follow through with the sentence I suspect we will not see you again."

She warned him that "It is going to take a lot of effort and will power on your part."

Elie was sentenced to six months, less credit for his pre-sentence incarceration, leaving him with a further 70 days to serve behind bars

He also was placed on probation for 18 months, with conditions that require him to attend and actively participate in all recommended assessment, counselling and rehabilitation programs, including those "preferably culturally appropriate," for substance abuse and mental health.

Dunn also imposed a 10-year weapons prohibition.

EDITOR'S NOTE: SooToday does not permit comments on court stories