This property in the 1100 block of 18th St. W was one of several addresses vandalized on Dec. 11, 2019. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Graffiti Bandits

Tagger faces thousands of dollars in fines

Mar 6, 2020 | 5:01 PM

A man with 20 charges related to graffiti, will avoid jail time but does face over $5,500 in fines.

Travis Billette, 34, was one of five people charged after the incidents in early December. Gang tags were sprayed on numerous properties across the city.

The estimated cost of the total damage was over $11,000. Billette has taken responsibility for his actions by entering guilty pleas. Judge Felicia Daunt explained the sentence must reflect a balance between fair restitution and deterrence.

“These are gang tags that hurt the whole community,” she said.

Daunt acknowledged fairness might say Billete will only pay one – fifth of the total amount, but added there was no certainty all five people would pay and in criminal liability cases it was not unheard of for the victims to be double compensated.

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“It’s encouraging Mr. Billette will pay his fair share,” she said.

Billette’s conditional sentence order will last 12 months, and he has until Dec. 15 to pay the restitution order. He also has a number of conditions including the completion of 100 hours of community service and no alcohol or drugs. He also cannot be found in possession of a bandana or spray cans.

“If you breach, you can expect to spend that 12 months in custody,” Daunt warned.

Billette is the first of the accused to be sentenced. Renee Merasty, Leo Bell, Chelsey Litwin, and Zac Charles all have pending court dates.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell