Death of suspect results in charges being dropped

One of nearly a dozen people charged late last year with numerous weapons and drugrelated offences has died.

Brandi-May Sokol was scheduled to appear in Lethbridge provincial court Friday, but Crown prosecutor Erin Olsen said the woman had died earlier this month. At a court hearing March 4, court was told the woman may have died, but the matter was adjourned to allow time for the Crown to confirm the reported death.

Olsen withdrew seven charges against the accused, including unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public and weapons trafficking.

The 39-yearold woman was charged in November with nine other people, including her 20-year-old son, Dylan, stemming from incidents over several days in in which police, including the tactical team, conducted raids on homes on the westside and northside of the city. Police recovered several guns and knives, counterfeit currency and other proceeds of crime, and $20,000 worth of drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, MDMA and marijuana.

The Sokols were released from custody in December on $500 cash each, and conditions that they abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs, avoid contact with each other and not possess any weapons. Dylan, whose next court hearing is scheduled for April 1, was ordered to live with his grandmother in Coaldale, while Brandi-May was told to live in a rural residence near Milk River.

No cause of death was given.