Charges withdrawn following death of accused

Numerous charges against a 26-year-old Lethbridge man relating to criminal offences last year and earlier this year, have been withdrawn.

The Crown withdrew the charges against Wesley Charles Johnson Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court, after explaining the accused had recently died.

Johnson was arrested March 9 after police, including members of the tactical unit, raided a residence in the 700 block of 8 Avenue South. Police seized stolen property, including a loaded firearm, and more than 120 oxycontin pills and small amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Johnson, who at the time had 15 outstanding warrants for his arrest, was charged with numerous offences, including possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a prohibited firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of stolen property.

Johnson also faced numerous charges relating to a police investigation in October of last year after officers were called to an apartment complex in the 200 block of 2 Avenue South. While inside one of the apartments police noticed a number of identity documents not belonging to the resident, and more than $435 in cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime.

A subsequent investigation revealed that several debit cards, credit cards, and other forms of identification had been reported stolen earlier from vehicles.

Johnson had been charged with multiple counts of possession of identity documents, possession of stolen credit cards and possession of stolen property under $5,000.