Guns and drugs yield maximum provincial sentence

A Prince George man described as a mid-level drug dealer and found to be in possession of a sawed-off shotgun with its serial number removed was sentenced Thursday to the maximum term that can be served in a provincial jail.

In all, Ricky Alan Frederickson, 43, was sentenced to six years and three months but received credit of four years and three months for time served prior to sentencing. As a consequence, he must serve a further two years less a day in a provincial jail and it will be followed by three years probation, also the maximum that can be issued for a provincial sentence.

He was arrested on June 1, 2017 after he was seen driving around the city and making short stops at the homes of what police alleged were known drug dealers in the city. In his vehicle, RCMP found a satchel containing quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin mixed with fentanyl, along with his wallet and identification and nearly $10,900 in cash.

They also found a lease agreement with Frederickson's name on it for an 800-block Johnson Street home. A subsequent search of the home as well as one in the 400-block of Gillette Street where Frederickson had also been living uncovered more drugs.

In all, he was found to be in possession of 252 grams of methamphetamine, 254 grams of cocaine and more than 28 grams of heroin-fentanyl with a value ranging from $25,151 to $51,698.

In addition to the sawed-off shotgun, RCMP seized a rifle, a pistol and another shotgun. Ammunition was also found nearby.

During a sentencing hearing in early May, Crown prosecutor Angela Murray argued for six years on the firearms offences plus a further six years on the drug counts for 12 years in total, while defence lawyer Jason LeBlond argued for 3 1/2 years, both less time served prior to sentencing.

In reaching her decision, provincial court judge Cassandra Malfair essentially agreed with Murray's position on the firearms counts while sentencing Frederickson to terms of 2 1/2 years time served on three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.