WESTLOCK – An alleged drug trafficker from Westlock will be handed a signfiicant federal prison sentence after he accepts an offer from the Crown, defence lawyer Cody Ackland told Westlock Court of Justice on Dec. 11.
Brandon Matthew Kandt is charged with four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking drugs, possession of tobacco that wasn’t stamped, flight from police, dangerous driving, two counts of driving without insurance, possession of property valued over $5,000 obtained by crime, failing to attend court and failing to provide an accident report to police.
“I had requested an offer from both the federal and provincial Crown,” said Ackland who appeared in court by Webex. “I reviewed that offer with Mr. Kandt and he is prepared to accept the offer.”
Ackland asked that the matter be adjourned so that he could appear in Westlock court in person for his client.
“Given the serious nature of the charges I would like to be there in person. This is going to be a federal sentence and significant."
Provincial jail sentences are two years less a day, whereas federal prison sentences are two years and over. The federal Crown is proceeding by indictment on the drug trafficking charges, which means more prison time if convicted.
Justice G. A. Rice granted the defence’s request and adjourned the matter to Jan. 29.
In November, Kandt was denied bail on tertiary and secondary grounds. Tertiary grounds are reserved for more serious offences and deals with detention to maintain the public's confidence in the administration of justice. Secondary grounds address whether or not the accused is likely to commit another offence while released on bail.
