Sentencing Hearing Scheduled for Coutts Protesters Found Guilty of Mischief and Weapons Offenses

Later this month, the sentences for two men convicted of mischief at the Coutts, Alta., border blockade will be announced.

Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert were also found guilty of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, with Olienick being convicted of possessing a pipe bomb on Aug. 2, by a jury. However, they were acquitted of the more severe charge of conspiring to murder police officers.

In Lethbridge Court of King’s Bench, Crown prosecutor Steven Johnston and defense lawyer Katherin Beyak agreed that the sentencing hearing would commence on Aug. 26, with four days set aside. The first two days would involve a review of the facts presented in the case, followed by a one-day break before resuming on Aug. 29.

Johnston stated, “It’s our understanding that the sentencing submissions are one day, and the decision on the sentence will be made the following day.”

In early 2022, two other protesters faced conspiracy to commit murder charges at Coutts. Christopher Lysak and Jerry Morin pleaded guilty to lesser charges in February.

Lysak received a three-year sentence for possession of a restricted firearm in an unauthorized place, while Morin was sentenced to 3 1/2 years for conspiracy to traffic firearms. The sentences equaled the time the men had already spent in pretrial custody.

During the investigation, RCMP discovered guns, ammunition, and body armor in trailers near the blockade at the Canada-U. S. border crossing. Additionally, more guns, ammunition, and two pipe bombs were found at Olienick’s residence in Claresholm, Alta.

The blockade was part of a series of demonstrations across the country to protest COVID-19 regulations and vaccine mandates.

Throughout the trial, statements and text messages from the men emphasized that the blockade was a final stand against what they viewed as an oppressive federal government.