Shotguns made of random parts, wire, and glue had a peace officer calling for back-up.
A 43-year-old Lac La Biche man was sentenced to 120 days in jail after pleading guilty to possession of stolen property over $5,000, two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and breaching conditions.
Angus Thomas Cote appeared in the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse on Tuesday, Aug. 20 to speak to a list of charges that had him behind bars.
On Jan. 13, Lac La Biche RCMP received a 911 complaint regarding a suspicious vehicle at a rural address.
Police responded just after 8 a.m. and located the vehicle, which was determined to be stolen.
According to the caller, the two males that had been inside of the vehicle had identified themselves, Cote being one of them.
The suspects were nowhere in sight. A witness told police they had fled the scene on foot.
After searching the area, RCMP located the males, and during a search of Cote's belongings, found a set of keys belonging to the stolen truck on his person.
He was arrested and released later that day on an undertaking.
About two weeks later, on Jan. 30, police received a 911 call to assist a peace officer with a traffic stop involving firearms.
The peace officer had pulled over a vehicle with it's taillights out, noticing the license plate didn't match the truck.
According to Crown prosecutor Jody Woligroski, the officer could see weapons in the cab of the truck, which is when he contact RCMP.
Police arrived and seized the sawed-off shotguns. They were described by Woligroski as "heavily modified and pieced together" using hot glue and wire. She said the weapons barely had any of their original parts and serial numbers were either painted over or not visible.
One of the weapons was loaded, however, Cote confirmed neither of them were functioning.
The joint submission was for 90 days in relation to the stolen truck, and 120 days for the remaining offences. The sentences would run concurrently, meaning Cote would spend 120 days behind bars.
The Crown also sought a five-year weapons prohibition, a sample of Cote's DNA for the national databank, and forfeiture of all items seized in both investigations.
Honourable Judge Kathleen Williams agreed to the joint submission.
According to Cote, who's record shows he hasn't been convicted of any offences since 2006, he had gotten his life together and was married with kids.
It was after his marriage faced some difficulties that he found himself headed down the wrong path, he explained.
"I thought I had everything figured out... that I had left all this behind me," noted Cote, adding he struggled to cope with his marital problems and turned to alcohol and drugs.
"I regret everything," he said. "There's a million things I could say... I'm in a better spot and I don't think I will ever make that mistake again."
As of his appearance in court on Tuesday, the father of three had 27 days left to serve.
