Kelowna-based gangster sentenced to over five years in prison

KELOWNA – After nearly a four-year investigation, Donahugh Frederick McWhirter was sentenced to five years and six months in prison in Kelowna Supreme Court on June 29 for his attempt to create a resurgence of the Kelowna-based crime gang, the Independent Soldiers.

An investigation was started in early 2014 by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit into the notorious gang member and his partner, Brittany Stinn, after they received information that McWhirter was allegedly recruiting members for the Independent Soldiers.

On Jan. 30, 2015, a search warrant conducted by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit found and seized drugs as well as firearms at a Lake Country area residence where McWhirter and his girlfriend were also arrested.

According to a media release issued by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, McWhirter entered a guilty plea in Kelowna Supreme Court to several charges involving possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, unlawful possession of firearms and possession of firearms while being under a court order.

McWhirter entered a guilty plea on Feb. 5, 2018.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada has stayed all charges against McWhirter's girlfriend, Stinn.

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