By Stephanie Froese

Stand-off suspect held in Saskatoon for safety

Apr 15, 2011 | 5:12 PM

Leslie Samoleski, who is facing several charges connected to the stand-off and the death of 14-year-old Montana Netmaker is being remanded in custody in Saskatoon because he is employed as a guard at the Provincial Corrections Centre in Prince Albert.

Samoleski has worked as a corrections worker with the ministry since 1999 and was at the time acting in a supervisory role.

Because of this, he is being held in Saskatoon under increased security.

In situations where a corrections worker is remanded the ministry has to take into consideration their security, said Judy Orthner, Director of communications for Correction, Public Safety and Policing.

“We provide heightened security around a staff member largely because of the fact that we are concerned that there may be some individual or groups of individuals who may have been supervised by that corrections worker.”

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Because of Samoleski’s past work, Orthner said there may be individuals who have personal vendettas against him.

There is always the potential that even when a corrections worker is moved away from the facility where they worked there could be some risks to their safety, Orthner said.

She said in cases like this they will closely watch the person’s comings and goings and step up the number of checks on a daily basis.

Samoleski is currently considered to be on administrative leave without pay. He will remain in remand until his next court appearance on Apr. 20 for a bail hearing.

See related: Suspect in stand-off and hit and run appears in court

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