‘Online vigilante’ Ken Power given a year’s probation
Well-known C.B.S. tattoo artist Ken Power was given a year’s probation for a conviction of criminal harassment, in provincial court in St. John’s Wednesday morning.
Power, 45, had been convicted in early January after a trial. Though he admitted leaving Facebook and phone messages for a man he believes raped his friend, Power pleaded not guilty to criminally harassing the man.
The man testified he lived in fear after receiving the messages – which told him, “Sleep tight,” and, “Only the guilty lawyer up … see you soon” — and felt forced to move out of his house, change his work parking spot and sleep with a knife.
Judge Mike Madden, in delivering his verdict last month, said Power’s actions were disturbing and criminal.
“He was avenging his friend by destroying (the man’s) peace of mind and ruining his reputation,” the judge said. “He
was taking the law into his own hands. It’s vigilante justice.”
Power spoke to members of the media after he was found
guilty.
“With regards to the harassment charge, I take responsibility for (my) action(s). I admit to what I sent. I believe and still believe my friend, who was an acquaintance of the complainant,” Power said. “The pictures, documents and other information supported my friend’s assertion of having been raped and assaulted. Despite numerous requests from myself and others for her to go to police, like many victimized women, she would not. I believed, and still believe, her.
“I acted on this because of her. My choice of actions may not have been the best in hindsight and I, my family, my friends, (especially) the one I was standing up for, must live with this decision and its consequences.” The conditions of Power’s probation require that he not contact the victim or visit his place of employment, and ban him from owning or using a firearm for 10 years.