A Prince George man has been sentenced to nine months house arrest for running a marijuana grow operation in the basement of his home.
Provincial court judge Victor Galbraith issued the term Wednesday to David Barry Sponagle, 42, at the Prince George courthouse.
Sponagle was arrested in April 2011 at his 6000 block Caledonia Crescent home after police received a tip and, upon further investigation, found electricity consumption for the home was unusually high and noticed a smell of marijuana at the home.
Police seized 224 plants found in four rooms in the home's basement, with an estimated street value of $56,000 to $125,440 depending on whether it was sold in pounds, ounces or grams, the court was told.
Prior to sentencing, defence lawyer Jason LeBlond said Sponagle, a married father of three, was growing the plants because he ran into desperate financial circumstances trying to support his family.
Upon reflection, Sponagle, who pleaded guilty to possession for the purpose of trafficking, has since realized the foolishness of his actions and the danger he put his family in, said LeBlond, as grow-ops can be prone to electrical fires and are often targets for thieves.
Crown prosecution had recommended six months in jail, but LeBlond noted that would leave the family without Sponagle for that time and agreed with LeBlond's call for a conditional sentence, in which the convicted person serves the term at home with conditions.
Speaking to Galbraith prior to sentencing, Sponagle said he accepts responsibility for what he had done and is embarrassed by his actions.
"All I want, sir, is to take care of my kids, that's all I ever wanted." he said. "I'm sorry for what had happened and you will never see me in a courtroom again."
For the first six months of his sentence, Sponagle is confined to his home other than to go to work and from 10 a.m. to noon on days off. He will also be able to continue to teach boxing on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
For the final three months, the curfew will be scaled back to 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
He must also abstain from consuming alcohol and drugs, other than those prescribed by a physician, and must stay out of establishments where alcohol is served.
