Woman who made bomb threats jailed

Lawyer says mental health issues led her to targeting schools, businesses

A 33-year-old woman who sent dozens of suspicious packages, threatening letters and bomb threats to 17 different schools and businesses in and around Saskatoon was targeting an ex-boyfriend, his family and his ex-wife.

On Wednesday, Alexa Emerson pleaded guilty in Court of Queen’s Bench to 15 counts of public mischief, uttering threats and criminal harassment.

The indictment encompasses 81 charges stemming from incidents in late 2016 and early 2017.

Justice Gerald Allbright accepted a joint submission from the Crown and defence, sentencing Emerson to two years less a day in jail, followed by a three-year probation order with conditions that include psychiatric treatment for mental health issues, a curfew, an eight-month ban on cellphones or computers and no contact with dozens of victims.

Eight of Emerson’s target victims provided statements to the court.

One of her ex-boyfriends, firefighter Brody Fehr, said Emerson is the most evil, manipulative person he has ever come across and her lack of remorse is “truly frightening.”

Emerson was previously convicted of criminal harassment against him in 2014.

Many victims also said her actions forced them to take time off work and put them in a constant state of paranoia.

After she was first arrested, Emerson was initially released from custody in January 2017, re-arrested in April of that year and denied bail in June 2017. Following a bail hearing, the Crown estimated the financial cost of the white powder and bomb scares at more than $200,000. Prosecutor Jennifer Claxton-Viczko noted the Crown would not seek financial restitution because “there is simply no ability for Ms. Emerson to pay that sort of money.”

Defence lawyer Patrick McDougall told court his client is dealing with mental health issues and needs to move on with her life. “This can’t happen again,” he said.

With enhanced remand credit for her time spent in custody, Emerson will have 115 days left to serve.