All charges in a forcible confinement case against Louis Bull resident Timothy Bull, 47, were withdrawn on Nov. 5, 2024.
Bull had been charged with forcible confinement, pointing a firearm, careless use of a firearm, uttering threats, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and multiple charges related to failing to comply with a release order stemming from an incident on Oct. 18 in the Louis Bull Townsite.
A female had called 911. When police arrived, she was located hiding in a treeline outside of a residence.
A 17-year-old youth who can't be identified because he is a minor, was also charged in relation to the incident.
Firearm offences
A court case is proceeding for two suspects charged with several firearms-related offences stemming from a traffic stop in Wetaskiwin on Oct. 4, 2024.
Tyrone Tellis Lightning, 42, of Maskwacis is charged with various firearms offences including possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle.
Justin Blake Simon, 35, of Maskwacis was charged with several firearms offences, two counts of failing to comply with a release order, two counts of possession contrary to an order, and possession of crystal meth.
Both accused were scheduled to appear in court in Wetaskiwin on Nov. 7.
Simon wasn't present and a warrant to remand him into custody until the next court date was issued.
Counsel appeared for Lightning, and an election of a trial by judge and a not guilty plea was entered. Both accused are scheduled for a trial on March 24, 2025, at the Wetaskiwin Court of Justice.
Identity theft
Gregory Thomas Allen, 36, of Ponoka, is facing several identify theft-related charges.
Allen is charged with fraud over $5,000, obtaining/possessing identity information, forging a document, altering or removing a serial number, possession of stolen property and several other charges.
The trial has been scheduled for Dec. 2, 2024 at the Ponoka Court of Justice.
New trial ordered
Dylon Samuel Saddleback’s life sentence for the killing of Blain Dennehy of Montana First Nation was overturned by the Alberta Court of Appeal on Nov. 1, 2024.
Saddleback, 25, was to be released following the Court of Appeal's decision and a new trial was ordered. He is now scheduled to enter his plea on Dec. 6 at the Ponoka Court of Justice.
Assault with a weapon
Jeral Maurice Thomas Rabbit, 25, of Montana First Nation, charged with assault with a weapon, two charges of possession of a weapon contrary to an order, and three charges of failing to comply with a release order, was released from custody on Nov. 22, while he awaits trial.
He is to appear at the Ponoka Court of Justice on Dec. 6, 2024 to enter a plea.
On Nov. 18. Ponoka RCMP responded to a report of a suspicious person in a rural field who had been detained by a member of the public after allegedly throwing a knife at them.
Downtown shooting
On Sept. 21, at 2:51 a.m., Ponoka RCMP received reports of a shooting near the Leland Hotel. A victim with apparent multiple gun shot wounds was taken to hospital by STARS in stable condition.
Eldon James Junior Saddleback, a resident of Maskwacis, and Wetaskiwin resident Anthony Kelsey Lee Omeasoo, were charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, two counts of assault with a weapon, discharge of a firearm with intent, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and failure to comply with a release order.
Saddleback was also charged with possession of a weapon contrary to an order.
On May 14, 2024, Omeasoo was sentenced to 990 days in jail for intentionally discharging a firearm, along with a 10-year firearms prohibition, and 30 days for failing to comply with a release order. The attempted murder and other charges for Omeasoo were withdrawn.
Saddleback is set to have his preliminary hearing from Jan. 14 to 15, 2025 in Ponoka.
Shooting in Samson
As of Nov. 28, Dorian O'Shea Hunter, 23, is still at large and wanted in relation to a shooting on June 10, 2024, in Samson Cree Nation, among other offences.
