Guilty pleas entered by man accused of selling drugs, gun to undercover cops

A Medicine Hat man entered guilty pleas Tuesday to selling meth and a firearm to undercover police officers.

Sentencing for Lane Hogg was adjourned to July 12, with defence counsel requesting a pre-sentencing report be put together for consideration.

Hogg entered guilty pleas to three counts of trafficking a controlled substance, one count of simple possession, possessing property obtained by crime, and firearm charges.

According to the agreed statement of facts, police received source information in January 2018 about an individual selling methamphetamine, and contacted this person in an undercover capacity.

This individual introduced the officer to Hogg, and in the days that followed police purchased four grams, 3.6 grams, and seven grams of meth from Hogg for $200, $160, and $300 respectively.

The officer then messaged the accused, saying another undercover officer wanted to purchase a firearm. Hogg proceeded to make arrangements with them for the purchase of a gun, and more meth.

On Jan. 30, the officers met Hogg and exchanged $1,000 for a Smith & Wesson 22 caliber gun and rounds, as well as 14.6 grams of meth for $500.

When arrested later that same day, Hogg was found in possession of 2.6 grams of meth.

Defence counsel also ran a bail hearing in the hopes Hogg could be released until sentencing so that he could see his children and put his affairs in order. The proposed release on a $3,000 cash surety from family, alongside house arrest with stringent conditions was not enough to convince the judge, who denied Hogg release.