A Prince George man with a "drug-induce fascination with firearms" was sentenced Wednesday to a further six months in jail followed by 2 1/2 years probation in relation to the discovery of two rifles, one loaded with a prohibited magazine, following a traffic stop.
In all, David Michael O'Neill, 34, was sentenced to nearly two years and eight months in jail but received credit of two years two months for time served in custody prior to sentencing.
O'Neill was arrested on Aug. 15, 2019 when Prince George RCMP's street crew unit pulled over a vehicle at First Avenue and Ospika Boulevard shortly after midnight.
Police found break-in tools on O'Neill, a breach of his probation from a previous offence, and a further search uncovered the the rifles in the trunk of the vehicle as well as a loaded magazine in the passenger area.
O'Neill eventually pleaded guilty to seven counts from the arrest as well as a count of failing to appear in court while out on bail.
Defence counsel argued for two years less a day followed by probation while Crown had been seeking 3 1/2 years in jail.
In issuing a decision on sentencing, Provincial Court Judge Michael Brecknell found O'Neill's actions at the time of the offence made defence counsel's position untenable while his behaviour since then warranted a tempering of what Crown had been proposing.
Brecknell noted O'Neill was high on methamphetamine at the time of his arrest and found a pattern of "drug induced fascination with firearms" in two past firearms-related offences for which he had served time.
O'Neill had told the author of a pre-sentence report that whenever he is high on the drug, he becomes agitated and paranoid, causing him to turn to carrying firearms to feel safe and protected.
That gained no traction with Brecknell who said the guns and ammunition represented "something far more sinister" than the safety O'Neill claimed he was seeking. Even though the loaded rifle was in the trunk, Brecknell said O'Neill was "mere seconds" away from opening the trunk, grabbing the weapon and opening fire.
But Brecknell also noted that O'Neill appears to have turned a corner in the time since then, although his behaviour has not been perfect.
While initially in custody, O'Neill had lived in the so-called "sober" unit at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre and participated in several programs and received a number of certificates.
In June 2020, he was released on bail with the stipulation he reside at a local recovery centre. But by the next month he had left, saying he did so because other residents were overdosing on drugs. He then failed to notify his bail supervisor and failed to appear in court for sentencing on the matter at hand. O'Neill was rounded up in late-August 2020 and has remained in custody since then.
However, Brecknell also noted that once back in custody, O'Neill began receiving treatment and medication for a previously-undiagnosed brain injury and mental health issues that include post traumatic stress disorder. Brecknell also found he has supports in place for living a more stable life once out of custody.
At a hearing on sentencing, O'Neill apologized and took responsibility for his actions. He also noted that his time in custody was the first time he has been able to address the issues he has been facing.
Conditions of his probation include a curfew for the first year and a requirement that he take counselling and programming as directed by his probation officer. He must also complete 50 hours of community work at a pace of at least two hours per month.
