prison

Convicted Vernon drug smuggler still trying to smuggle drugs in prison: Warden

VERNON - A Vernon man currently serving time for running a massive drug trafficking operation has been denied a request to be moved into minimum security. Brock Palfrey was sentenced to almost 17 years in prison for trafficking cocaine and ecstasy. He and two co-conspirators, also from the Vernon area, were arrested with $200 million...

Why killer Neil Snelson could be home for Christmas

KELOWNA - Neil Snelson has once again been convicted of manslaughter in the death of a college student more than 20 years ago but be prepared: His next stay in prison will likely be short — if he goes back to prison at all. The decision by a Kamloops jury shortly before 10 p.m. June...

Hell’s Angel gives up on appeal

KELOWNA - Daniel McRae, one of the three Hells Angels associates convicted of beating to death a Kelowna father in front of his sons in 2011, is not going to appeal his sentence. According to the Vancouver Sun, the victim's son, Kody Phillips, told Justice Mark McEwan that the attack on his father lasted only seconds,...

Alleged gangster convicted for cache of guns released

KELOWNA – A man suspected of having ties to the Hells Angels who was convicted of almost a dozen weapons-related charges last year has been released from custody pending an appeal. Cory Joseph Montemurro, 45, was driving a rented Jeep Grand Cherokee Nov. 25, 2010 when police found him and three other men with an...

Dangerous offender hearing reconvenes this afternoon

PENTICTON - The dangerous offender hearing and sentencing of a Penticton man charged with sexual assault, aggravated assault and unlawful confinement, will reconvene in Penticton Supreme Court today after a two-month break. David Wesley Bobbitt last appeared in court the week of June 23 for the start of his dangerous offender hearing and sentencing for...

Investigation into prison death could lead to coroner’s inquest

KAMLOOPS – The investigation into an inmate’s death at the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre continues, but it is too early to tell if the investigation will warrant a coroner’s inquest. On November 10, Dylan Levi Judd, 20, was found deceased during morning cell checks. Barb McLintock with the B.C. Coroner’s Service says inquests are mandatory...

Penticton woman at large from Abbotsford prison

PENTICTON - A warrant has been issued for a Penticton woman incarcerated at the Fraser Valley Institute for Women when she failed to return to the prison following an authorized leave of absence. Amanda Sach, 24, has been missing since November 15, 2014 after she failed to return to the prison. Abbotsford Police issued a...

Vernon child sexual predator gets 4 years in prison

VERNON – A Vernon man who lured girls over the Internet and asked them for nude photos is going to spend the next four years in a federal prison. David Clayton Willerth, 40, was sentenced in Vernon Supreme Court Thursday on 18 counts, including luring children with a computer and arranging a sexual offense against...

Here’s your second chance to learn about a position with the justice department

OKANAGAN - Three additional orientation sessions have been scheduled for Okanagan residents interested in one of 240 correctional officer positions at the new Okanagan Correctional Centre set to open in Oliver in 2016. The original sessions were well-received and due to high-demand additional sessions have been scheduled throughout November. The first will be held at...

Police swap suspects in hit and run case

KELOWNA – Charges have been dropped against a Kelowna man accused of critically injuring a paper carrier while fleeing from police and RCMP have arrested a new suspect. Nathan Fahl, 24, was riding in a vehicle with two other people Dec. 6, 2013 when they allegedly tried to avoid a police road check on Springfield...

Retirement age begins in prison for this child molester

KELOWNA – A 64-year-old man is going to jail for molesting two of his own relatives almost 30 years ago. The man, who can't be named by court order, appeared in court Monday with his current wife and pleaded guilty to charges of indecent assault, gross indecency and sexual assault. He admitted to sexually abusing...

Ceremony held to celebrate beginning of corrections facility

OLIVER - Ground was officially broken today by justice, city and Band officials to launch construction of the Okanagan Correctional Centre. The ceremony began with members of the Osoyoos Indian Band riding in on horses, drumming and singing traditional songs. “Thank you for honouring our land,” said Bob Etienne, a Band member who performed a...

Career criminal commits to cleaning up his act

PENTICTON — A career criminal faces a less severe sentencing after telling a judge he is committed to improving his behaviour through rehab and counselling programs. Nicholas Paul Mazzone, 43, will serve 15 months in prison after his sentence was reduced from 30 months for time served in jail prior to a conviction. Mazzone pleaded...