Update from Red Deer RCMP May 22/18 – Five people face a total of 52 Criminal Code charges related to drug trafficking and weapons after Red Deer RCMP concluded a months-long investigation with the high-risk arrest of a wanted man at a Westpark residence on May 7.

The Red Deer RCMP drug section began the trafficking investigation in January. On April 16, Red Deer RCMP and the Calgary Emergency Response Team (ERT) executed search warrants on three residences at Neville Close, Page Avenue and the 3800 block of 45 Street. During the search, RCMP seized 17 firearms and large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine, along with fentanyl, GHB, multiple items consistent with drug trafficking, electronics, a counterfeit Canadian $100 bill and approximately $600 cash. Schools in the area were briefly placed in hold and secure as a safety precaution while RCMP secured the residence.

RCMP 6

More ERT members located the target of the investigation at a gas station in Penhold but the suspect struck a police vehicle and fled. Police did not pursue at that time for public safety reasons, but Red Deer RCMP located the suspect on May 7 at a Westpark residence. Calgary ERT again assisted Red Deer members with this high-risk arrest, and nearby schools were briefly placed into hold and secure as a safety precaution. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

43 year old James Leslie Holley faces the following charges:

  • ·CDSA 5(2) – Possession for the purpose of trafficking X 4
  • ·Criminal Code 86(1) – Careless use of a firearm X 4
  • ·Criminal Code 91(1) – Unauthorized possession of firearm X 3
  • ·Criminal Code 95(1) – Possess restricted firearm with ammunition
  • ·Criminal Code 117.01(1) – Weapons possession contrary to order X 5
  • ·Criminal Code 249.1(1) – Operate motor vehicle while being pursued by police
  • ·Criminal Code 249(1)(a) – Dangerous operation of motor vehicle
  • ·Criminal Code 355(b) – Possession of stolen property under $5,000 X 2

Holley is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on May 31 at 9:30 am.

39 year old Danielle Ami Cassan faces the following charges:

  • ·CDSA 5(2) – Possession for the purpose of trafficking X 2
  • ·CDSA 4(1) – Possession of Schedule I substance
  • ·Criminal Code 86(1) – Careless use of firearm X 8
  • ·Criminal Code 95(1) – Possess restricted firearm with ammunition X 8
  • ·Criminal Code 91(2) – Unauthorized possession of firearm

Cassan is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on June 14 at 9:30 am.

36 year old Jennifer Lynn Steele faces the following charges:

  • ·Criminal Code 91(2) – Unauthorized possession of firearm X 2
  • ·Criminal Code 95(1) – Possess restricted firearm with ammunition
  • ·Criminal Code 86(1) – Careless use of firearm X 2

Steele is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on June 19 at 8:30 am

33 year old Angel Robin Chipaway faces the following charges:

  • ·Criminal Code 91(2) – Unauthorized possession of firearm
  • ·Criminal Code 95(1) – Possess restricted firearm with ammunition
  • ·Criminal Code 86(1) – Careless use of firearm X 2

Chipaway is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on June 19 at 8:30 am.

30 year old Kandice May Baldwin faces the following charges:

  • ·CDSA 5(2) – Possession for the purpose of trafficking X 2

Baldwin is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on August 9 at 9:30 am.

From Red Deer RCMP May 7/18:

Red Deer, Alberta – Red Deer RCMP and the Emergency Response Team arrested a wanted man in a Westpark residence this afternoon as part of a drug trafficking investigation; because the residence is east of 55 Avenue adjacent to several schools, RCMP requested that three nearby schools be placed in lockdown as a safety precaution while the arrest was being undertaken.

The lockdowns at Westpark Middle School, Westpark Elementary and St. Martin de Porres School went into effect at approximately 12:35 pm and the arrest was successfully concluded at approximately 1 pm. 

The lockdowns were lifted on the schools shortly afterward.

A 43 year old man was taken into custody.

Red Deer RCMP will issue an update with more information about the investigation and charges resulting from it as more information becomes available.