William Hunter, 31, of Welland, who was charged in 2019 as part of Project Skylark ower possessing of two loaded firearms – a sawn-off shotgun and Glock pistol pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in Greater Sudbury on Wednesday.
He was sentencedby a judge Martin Lambert to three-years in jail, a 10-year weapons ban, and a DNA order.
Judge alleged that Mr.Hunter was keeping firearms “for nefarious purposes” and also noted Hunter, who had been facing nine charges concerning, had entered guilty pleas and a limited criminal record.
Mr.Hunter who had been in custody for 76 days before bailed in October of 2019, received pre-trial custody credit of 114 days. That means that he left to serve 981 days in custody.
The court heard that firearms because of which Mr.Hunter was charged were foud during a search warrant execution at Hunter’s Niagara Falls residence. The shotgun was found to be loaded with five shells while the handgun had six shells in the clip.
Meanwhile, Mr.Hunters defence lawyer admitted that defendant who is a carpenter by trade has spent most of his life in the Niagara Falls area and is now living in Welland, had been using the two firearms primarily for target practice on his property.
Mr.Hunters defence lawyer also said that Mr.Hunter Hunter agreed to enter guilty pleas one year ago, but due to the coronavirus pandemic everything delayed.
Hunter is the latest individual to was sentenced over Project Skylark, all of which are being dealt with at the Sudbury Courthouse.
Dubbed Project Skylark, the initiative investigated members and associates of the Hells Angels Nomads, Red Devils Motorcycle Club, and the Hooligans Motorcycle Club associated with the trafficking of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl in the Niagara Region, Sudbury and Ottawa.
As a result of Project Skylark fifteen people, including six from Greater Sudbury, were subsequently arrested on Aug. 1, 2019.
About $420,000 of drugs, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and shatter were seized. Five handguns, three long guns, and $50,000 in cash were also seized.
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