34 months in jail for woman who sold drugs, intimidated a witness and stole a puppy
Puppy kidnapping, drug trafficking and witness intimidation were part of an array of charges a young women entered guilty pleas to Tuesday at the Medicine Hat Courthouse.
Kelsie Mast will be serving 34 months in jail after being sentenced — with defence counsel stating that all of the 23-year-old’s actions in some way have to do with addictions issues.
Mast pled guilty to three counts of trafficking meth, following an undercover police operation where multiple purchases of methamphetamine were arranged with Mast through a cellphone number. She was arrested at the end of May on these charges.
While released on bail, Mast proceeded to send text messages to one of the officers who had been part of the undercover operation and would be a witness. Mast knew that this person was an officer, and one of her multiple texts included the threat “I don’t need an army to make a pig disappear. I’ll be the last person you see.”
Mast also pled guilty to various stolen property charges — in once instance, she was a guest at a person’s house, and this person noticed Mast had taken a keen interest in a fiveand-a-half month pitbull puppy. The owner left the room for a short while, and when she returned, both Mast and the dog were gone. Police later located Mast with the dog in a vehicle.
In another instance, stealing a cellphone from a local store, being found in possession of a woman’s motor vehicle registration information, pawning items from a residence she was staying at without permission. Mast also pled guilty to slashing the tires of a person’s vehicle after a disagreement with them.
Defence counsel told the court Mast struggles with addictions, and also numerous underlying issues — she had been attempting to turn her life around, even attending school and doing well. The penitentiary term, defence said, will hopefully give her the chance to deal with her addictions and address issues she has.
Trafficking charges
Mast’s arrest for drug trafficking is one of several made by police, as they announced Tuesday the seizure of more than $10,000 in drugs following a two-month investigation.
Michael Lariviere of Medicine Hat was charged with trafficking meth and possession of proceeds of crime. His next court date is July 4.
Daniel Chrysler of Lethbridge was charged with trafficking meth and possessing proceeds of crime, and will appear in court June 22. Richard Strong of Medicine Hat was charged with trafficking meth and possessing meth for the purpose of trafficking. His next court date is June 27.
Ashley Gackle of Medicine Hat was charged with trafficking meth and possessing meth for the purpose of trafficking. Eva Reviczky of Medicine Hat was charged with three counts of possessing a controlled substance.
Jay Brodie of Medicine Hat was charged with trafficking meth, possessing proceeds of crime, possessing stolen property, possessing a weapon dangerous to the public and two probation breaches.
Tammie Helem of Medicine Hat was charged with trafficking meth, trafficking heroin and possessing meth for the purpose of trafficking.
Levi Aebig of Medicine Hat was charged with four counts of trafficking heroin, four counts of trafficking meth, possessing the proceeds of crime, possessing a prohibited weapon and three counts of breaching a firearms prohibition.
A warrant has also been issued for Wrayne Wawia of Medicine Hat on two counts of trafficking meth, two counts of trafficking cocaine and proceeds of crime.