Eric James Fike was sentenced to a further five years in jail Wednesday for guns and drugs offences stemming from a gang-related takedown nearly 18 months ago.
Judge Michael Gray issued the term in Prince George provincial court a day after hearing submissions from lawyers and pleas from Fike's parents and family.
Fike, 31, was arrested Sept. 24, two days after police uncovered a backpack containing a submachine gun, a nine-millimetre handgun, a .45 calibre handgun, approximately 50 rounds of ammunition, and eight ounces of cocaine in a wooded area along Lower Mud River Road west of the city.
Fike was apprehended when he returned to the scene and a subsequent search of his home in the 6100 block of Gauthier Road uncovered two more ounces of cocaine, paraphernalia and ingredients to make crack cocaine, roughly three pounds of marijuana, more ammunition, and flaps of heroin.
At the time of his arrest, police described Fike as a high-ranking member of the Game Tight Soldiers, a street-level gang that runs the cocaine trade in conjunction with the Renegades biker gang, a Hells Angels puppet club.
But during the sentencing hearing Tuesday, the court was told he's given up the gang life and has had a gang tattoo on his ankle erased.
He was also described as someone who suffered extensive bullying as a youth and, in answer, became their friends as a way to defend himself.
Fike's parents and two aunts also attended the hearing and urged Gray to go easy on him, saying they would provide the support he needs to get his life back on track once released. Fike was facing at least three years in jail as a mandatory minimum less time already served in custody.
However, Gray noted that Fike was found guilty of similar offences in 2004 in Vancouver, received a term of two years four months time served and was back working for his father's landscaping business upon release before once again turning to crime.
"You had an opportunity that was available to you before and that hasn't been successful," Gray told Fike.
Fike pleaded guilty to five of 13 charges he was facing, saving the courts the time and expense of a trial, Gray noted, but also added he switched lawyers halfway through his 18 months in custody before making the move.
The charges Fike pleaded guilty to were in relation to the cocaine and the three guns.
As for the heroin, the court was told Fike was using about a gram-and-a-half per day. Police said 159 flaps of heroin were found in the house.
Gray sentenced Fike to five years less nine months time served for the firearms offences and to a consecutive term of 18 months less nine months time served for the drug offences for five years in total
Crown counsel Charles Hough had recommended Fike get five years for the firearms offences and a consecutive term of two years for the drug offences, less one year for the totality principle and full credit for the 18 months time spent in custody.
Fike appeared calm and nodded his head in agreement upon hearing his sentence.
