A 58-year-old Gibbons-area man now has a criminal record, a steep fine and a lengthy probation sentence for his role in a series of recreational vehicle thefts.
Peter Boschmann pleaded guilty Monday in St. Albert Provincial Court to possession of a stolen trailer, possession of a stolen ATV, careless storage of a firearm and possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number.
Judge Ken Tjosvold handed Boschmann a $15,000 fine and 18 months of probation. He must complete 240 hours of community service – the maximum term – within the first year of his probation.
“These are frustrating cases for everyone,” said Crown prosecutor Douglas Taylor. “I feel for the victims of this case.”
He said it is often hard to prosecute cases like this in a timely manner, because numerous individuals are charged.
The offences date back to the summer of 2011, when a disgruntled former employee of Boschmann’s construction company contacted RCMP. He told RCMP that he was living in a trailer supplied by Boschmann and said he believed it was stolen.
Morinville RCMP investigated the complaint and discovered that the trailer was, in fact, stolen. Police obtained a search warrant for Boschmann’s home and property.
A stolen ATV was found in a shed on the property, as were a series of items originally located in the stolen trailer.
When police entered the Boschmann home, they discovered a loaded rifle with a scope resting on an armchair near the front entrance. Further searching revealed another firearm with a defaced serial number. No one in the residence had a license to possess the weapons.
Defence lawyer Alexander Pringle said his client had the weapons to fend off coyotes on his rural property.
“He had a problem with coyotes attacking chickens,” he said, adding his client acknowledged neither weapon was stored appropriately.
Following Boschmann’s arrest, the damaged $32,000 trailer was returned to the owner. The stolen ATV, worth $7,500 brand new, was replaced by the owner’s insurance company.
Taylor ordered the firearm with a defaced serial number be forfeited to the Crown for destruction, with all other items to be forfeited for destruction or returned to the rightful owner.
Taylor withdrew three remaining charges for possession of stolen property and one charge of careless storage of a firearm.
