Pubdate: Wed, 19 Nov 2008
Source: Telegram, The (CN NF)
Copyright: 2008 The Telegram
Contact:  http://www.thetelegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/303
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

MAN SENTENCED ON CHARGES OF GROWING MARIJUANA, CHILD ENDANGERMENT

A Happy Valley-Goose Bay man was sentenced Tuesday to a 14-month 
conditional sentence in a marijuana-growing case that sparked the 
first-ever charge laid for child endangerment under the Child Youth 
and Family Services Act in relation to marijuana grows.

Corey Saunders, 34, appeared in provincial court in Happy 
Valley-Goose Bay Tuesday and pleaded guilty to four charges resulting 
from a RCMP investigation into a marijuana grow operation in the 
community in November 2007.

The charges included: cultivation of cannabis marijuana; possession 
of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking; trafficking in 
marijuana; and child endangerment under the Child Youth and Family 
Services Act.

Saunders is also prohibited from owning a firearm for 10 years.

On Nov. 22, 2007, RCMP executed a search warrant on a residence in 
Happy Valley-Goose Bay and seized 37 marijuana plants in various 
stages of growth from seedlings to several feet in height, as well as 
other marijuana grow paraphernalia.

The RCMP says the charge of child endangerment and guilty plea to it, 
sets a precedent for the future consideration by law enforcement to 
apply the section of law. The force says it also serves to enhance 
the protection of children and provides further deterrents to people 
from growing marijuana.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom