A Prince George man has been sentenced to a conditional sentence of two years less a day for his role in running a marijuana grow op in an isolated section of the industrial area east of Queensway.
Nigel Eugene Pierini, 32, looked relieved upon hearing the verdict in Prince George provincial court on Friday. Crown prosecutor Harold Alkema had argued for one year in jail, noting Pierini had a previous conviction for a pot-related offence.
In 2003, Pierini was sentenced to a six-month conditional sentence after he was found with three pounds of marijuana.
But in arguing for a conditional sentence, in which the offender serves the term at home subject to various conditions, defence lawyer George Leven said Pierini's common law wife is about to give birth to their first child and he has since been steadily employed.
In reaching his decision, Judge Michael Brecknell noted the term is longer than the 18-month conditional sentence he handed in January to his co-accused, Brent Alexander Burton, 28, who had no criminal record.
There was no proof Pierini was anything more than an employee or gardener, it was also noted.
Burton and Pierini were arrested in August 2012 after RCMP seized 705 plants in various stages of growth from what was once two mechanic shops at the west end of Lower Patricia Boulevard.
Pierini was arrested near the scene after police saw him place 69 clones - part of the 705 plants seized - inside the building. When police pulled over the sport utility vehicle he was driving, they found $3,000 cash and a 150-gallon plastic tank carrying what appeared to be liquid fertilizer and marked with two slogans: "grow babies grow," and "green is the money."
The grow op equipment, the vehicle and the cash, which Leven said was used to pay bills and expenses related to the operation, were forfeited.
Conditions of Pierini's sentence include remaining in his home except from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the work week and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends during the first six months, except while at work. Thereafter, he is subject to a 10 p.m. to 6 p.m. curfew
He must also stay away from licenced premises and liquor stores, have no contact with Burton and was ordered to provide a DNA sample and issued a lifetime firearms prohibition.
Pierini, who apologized to the court for his actions when given a chance to speak, was also ordered to write a letter of apology to the city's residents and send it to the editor of The Citizen.
Brecknell also twice told Pierini that if he violates any of the conditions he could end up serving the rest of the term behind bars.
Brecknell also said Pierini, who pleaded guilty to production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking, was "extremely lucky" in that the crime was committed before new mandatory minimums for drug-related offences came into effect. Otherwise, Pierini would have been sentenced to at least two years in a federal penitentiary.
