Another case related to the Coutts blockade has concluded this week after going through the courts.
Evan Colenutt, who previously admitted to a firearms offense earlier this year, has been given a two-year conditional sentence order (CSO), allowing him to serve his sentence at home within the community.
During the court proceedings, Defense lawyer Matthew Browne suggested an 18-month CSO, while prosecutors Steven Johnston and Aaron Rankin recommended a two-year jail term.
Colenutt will spend 16 months under house arrest conditions and the remaining eight months on a curfew.
In early 2022, there were demonstrations at the Alberta-Montana Coutts border crossing where protesters demanded the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions and vaccine mandates.
At that time, Colenutt, residing in Calgary, was staying near the protest area with a local resident.
Seizure of Guns, Ammo, and Body Armor
In mid-February, the RCMP carried out search warrants and confiscated several firearms, body armor, and ammunition.
A total of 15 individuals faced various charges linked to the protests.
The place where Colenutt was residing was among those searched by the authorities.
Law enforcement officers found three firearms, 5,000 rounds of ammunition, and body armor at the location.
Colenutt was charged with mischief over $5,000 and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Charges Against Leaders
Colenutt confessed to owning two semi-automatic guns, body armor, a tac vest, and ammunition, as per an agreed statement of facts submitted during his plea in March.
Following the plea deal, the mischief charge was dropped.
Over the past three years, at least five protesters had their charges abandoned or withdrawn.
Four protest leaders were accused of serious offenses related to Coutts, including conspiring to murder RCMP officers.
However, all four were either acquitted or had those charges dropped after pleading guilty to lesser charges.
Christopher Lysak and Jerry Morin admitted to firearms offenses and were given time-served sentences.
Chris Carbert and Anthony Olienick were found guilty of mischief over $5,000 and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, each receiving 6½-year sentences.
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