Prince Albert Provincial Court. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Drugs in the community

Meth trafficker receives lighter sentence after early guilty plea

Aug 4, 2022 | 9:00 AM

A man found walking in broad daylight with multiple bags of meth has received a 10-month jail sentence.

Kevin George Ackegan’s guily plea on Wednesday to possession for the purpose of trafficking came less than a week after being arrested. The early plea, and other concessions made by Ackegan, were according to Federal Crown prosecutor, Jeff Summach, the primary reasons the sentence wasn’t much longer.

According to facts read in court, police responded last Thursday afternoon to the East Hill area and found the 42-year-old walking with a duffel bag.

As he had been wanted for breach of conditions, Ackegan was followed and arrested 20 minutes later. Inside the bag, police found eight bags of meth totalling 28.1 g. They also found two knives, a cell phone, and a digital scale.

Summach explained the contents of each small baggie varied from 2.1 g to four g, and he noted Ackegan had been under a probation order at the time not to possess drugs.

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“I believe this is the absolute quickest Mr. Ackegan could be sentenced on this matter and so the Crown is departing significantly from the usual sentencing position,” he said.

Defence lawyer, Estelle Hjertaas, noted the gap in Ackegan’s record from 2005 to 2016, explaining at the time he was working, living in his own place and doing well. However, upon using drugs again, he soon after found himself back in custody.

When give the opportunity to speak, Ackegan said he was not proud of what he had done and was committed to making amends for his mistakes.

“I just want to turn my life around,” he explained.

Judge Schiefner noted the sentencing range for this type of charge can be up to four years, and added the sale of illegal drugs in the community is a serious problem.

“I sense remorse in what you are saying and awareness so I do accept your guilty plea,” he said.

Upon his release from custody, Ackegan will be restricted from owning or possessing any firearms or explosives for life. This is a result of his prior convictions that date back nearly twenty years, and are related to similar drug offences.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell