Eldon James Cone had been on the run from police for over 8 years. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Man accused of sexually abusing young girls receives four-year sentence

Jan 7, 2026 | 3:48 PM

Editor’s note: the following story contains details related to sexual exploitation of minors and may be sensitive for readers.

A man responsible for sexually abusing three young girls and who was on the run from police for eight years, has received a four-year prison sentence

Eldon James Cone appeared Wednesday afternoon at Prince Albert Provincial Court.

A publication ban prohibits the release of any information that could identify the victims, who at the time of the offences (October 2013 to August 2017) were 10 and 11 years old.

Cone was arrested in December 2017 and failed to show up for his next scheduled court date. Last August, he was arrested in Edmonton and transported back to Saskatchewan. He has been in custody ever since. At the time of his arrest, Cone was 57 years old.

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According to a written decision read by Judge Rogers, all the acts involved sexual touching and one girl told police he tried to have sex with her.

Defence lawyer George Balabanian cited Gladue factors and said Cone started drinking at the age of eight and then, in his teen years, began using harder drugs. In his adult years, he struggled with homelessness.

The imposed sentence represents a joint submission from lawyers, and Judge Rogers said there was a substantial amount of discussion involved. She added the Gladue factors don’t minimize the culpability and stated Cone exploited the vulnerability of children

With remand credit, he has about three years and three months left to serve.

Following his release from custody, he will be prohibited for life from owning or possessing any weapons. He will also be on the sex offender registry for life, and Rogers stated he was a heightened risk to re-offend.

A recommendation has also been made that he serve his sentence in Edmonton where he has positive supports who can increase his chance for rehabilitation.

Rogers encouraged Cone to take advantage of the programming that is offered in the prison.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell