Red Deer man wanted in the Hat is arrested in Ontario

A Red Deer man who was a no-show for his sentencing on serious drug trafficking charges in Medicine Hat has been arrested three provinces over.

Ontario Provincial Police report that on Nov. 5 at 8 a.m., members of the Dryden Detachment received several traffic complaints over a vehicle weaving in and out of traffic on Highway 17 in northwest Ontario. Paul Rasmussen, 45, of Red Deer was arrested. A warrant was issued for Rasmussen on Oct. 31 at the Medicine Hat Courthouse when he failed to show up for his sentencing over a May 2017 drug bust where police say $33,000 in methamphetamine was seized.

Rasmussen had entered guilty pleas in September to 20 charges, including for drug trafficking and firearms. At the time pleas were entered, a judge granted a defence request that Rasmussen be released from custody on a $3,000 surety where he was required to live with his mother under 24/7 curfew in Red Deer, only allowed out with her supervision.

But come sentencing day, defence counsel for Rasmussen stated the mother had contacted both himself and police after her son was no longer residing with her, and his whereabouts were unknown.

New charges against Rasmussen laid by the OPP include possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, in relation to an allegedly stolen licence plate, failing to provide a sample for impaired driving, simple possession of methamphetamine, four counts of failing to comply with his release conditions, driving while disqualified, and allegedly being in possession of a springassisted knife, which would be contrary to a weapons prohibition that exists against him.

Rasmussen had his first court appearance in Sioux Lookout Court on Nov. 6, and remains in custody. His next court appearance is on Dec. 4.

Rasmussen’s co-accused in Medicine Hat has a similar story. Siofean Coderre entered guilty pleas to drug trafficking charges, and was also granted release under strict conditions, then failing to show up for her sentencing. Coderre was re-arrested in Prince Albert, Sask.