Sentencing date for final accused in 2022 Coutts blockade to be set in two weeks

Alex Van Herk looks out as he enters the courthouse for a sentencing hearing in Lethbridge, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. A sentencing hearing for an Alberta man for his role in the illegal Coutts border blockade in 2022 will likely take place in early March. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — The last outstanding case tied to the 2022 Coutts, Alta., border blockade is likely to be wrapped up in early March with the sentencing of one of the men convicted.

Alex Van Herk, who was found guilty of mischief over $5,000 along with Marco Van Huigenbos and Gerhard (George) Janzen, fired his lawyer before he was to be sentenced last month.

Van Huigenbos was handed four months in jail while Janzen received a three-month sentence and an order to complete 100 hours of community service.

Van Herk appeared in Lethbridge Court of King's Bench today, represented by his new lawyer Darren Mahoney.

Court heard sentencing dates are available in early March and the matter is to come back on Feb. 24 to set the actual date.

The three were convicted for their part in the blockade, which tied up cross-border traffic with the United States for two weeks to protest COVID-19 pandemic rules and vaccine mandates.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2025.

The Canadian Press

Return to TownAndCountryToday.com