One half of the duo that broke into John’s Jewellers in downtown Westlock early on Oct. 25 will be spending the next 16 months in jail.
Jesse R. Charbonneau, 23, appeared in Westlock Provincial Court Oct. 30 via CCTV from the Edmonton Remand Centre to plead guilty to four charges, including breaking and entering a place that is not a dwelling.
Charbonneau also pleaded guilty to obstructing or resisting an RCMP officer, escaping lawful custody and possession of a weapon.
Also involved in the break-in was a 16-year-old boy whose proceedings have been adjourned to Nov. 13.
Judge Vaughn Myers sentenced Charbonneau to 15 months behind bars for the break and enter, along with 45 days for each of the three other charges, which date to March 24.
The three 45-day sentences are concurrent to each other, he said, but will be tacked on to the 15-month sentence, for a total of 16 months and two weeks in jail.
Myers explained he handed down such a stiff sentence because Charbonneau has a considerable record that includes convictions for uttering threats, multiple probation and release condition breaches, breaking and entering, theft and assault, in such communities as High Prairie, Barrhead, Edmonton, Morinville and Westlock.
Myers also took into consideration Charbonneau had had a youth join him in the crime, potentially leading the young man down a criminal path. The sentence also includes a requirement to provide a DNA sample to police and a firearms ban.
“I wish you the best of luck, sir,” Myers told Charbonneau.
When given a chance to speak, Charbonneau said he was “sincerely sorry” for what he had done, and he had been a “stupid idiot” for taking drugs and bringing his teenage accomplice along.
Crown prosecutor Jeff Morrison told court the break and enter occurred at around 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 25.
Surveillance cameras at John’s Jewellers recorded two individuals smashing cases and taking out various gems and other jewelry. When leaving, the culprits left a trail of blood.
At around 3 a.m. that morning, EMS was called to assist a 16-year-old male who was bleeding. RCMP also attended and found Charbonneau and arrested him, Morrison said. The value of the jewelry stolen was several thousand dollars. Not all the stolen jewelry had been recovered, Morrison reported.
Defence lawyer Daniel Forbes reported Charbonneau has limited recollection of the event, as he suffers from a drug addiction. He added Charbonneau pleaded guilty at his first appearance.
