A Prince George man well known to the police and courts no longer stands accused of possessing a large-calibre handgun and 50-rounds of ammunition to go with it.
Eric Vern West was found not guilty Tuesday of counts related to the discovery by Prince George RCMP following a drug-related pullover on June 17, 2019.
Police noticed the barrel of the gun protruding from underneath the back seat where West had been sitting and then uncovered a bag containing not only the ammunition but a wallet containing his identification.
However, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Ron Tindale found there was reasonable doubt that West was in "constructive possession" of the items.
During a trial on the matter, West testified that he had been staying at the house of a known drug dealer when he and some others got word that RCMP were about to execute a search warrant on the home.
(Located at 1103 Chilako Ave., the house was destroyed in an Oct. 12, 2019 fire. What was left of the home, which had been owned by Harjinder Berar, was later cleared on order by the city).
They quickly packed some belongings and made their escape. West said he did not know how his wallet ended up in the bag. As well, analysis of DNA found on the items was inconclusive.
West was found guilty of simple possession of cocaine and heroin-fentanyl and will likely be sentenced to time served on the counts.
However, his troubles are not over yet. West still faces sentencing from a bout of gang-related gunplay in the 200 block of Bellos Street in the Highglen area in October 2020, for which he has pleaded guilty to four counts, including unlawful discharge of a firearm and dangerous driving.
In February, co-accused Bradley Andre Ouelette was sentenced to eight years in prison and Kenneth Ricardo Munroe to five-and-a-half years. Less credit for time served prior to sentencing, Ouelette had six-and-a-half years left to serve and Munro had slightly less that three-and-a-half year to go at the times of their sentencings.
A date for sentencing on the matters is to be fixed in September.
