Woman pleads guilty to firearms charge

A Lethbridge woman who was facing several charges in connection to the theft of firearms from a store in Fort Macleod last year has pleaded guilty to one of the charges and will be sentenced later this year.

Gillian Calista Macleod pleaded guilty Wednesday in Lethbridge court of justice to a single count of unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon. The facts of the case were not read in court, however, and the matter was adjourned to Aug. 18 to allow time for the preparation of a presentence report.

A pre-sentence report provides the court with an accused person’s background and personal circumstances to help the judge determine a fit sentence.

On Sept. 27, Fort Macleod RCMP received a report of a break-in at Alberta Hardware in Fort Macleod, during which suspects stole several firearms.

On Dec. 7, Fort Macleod RCMP, Lethbridge police and Raymond RCMP searched residences in Stirling and Lethbridge, and arrested two people.

Justin Barlow of Stirling was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a firearm obtained by crime, unauthorized possession of a firearm knowing it is unauthorized, possession of stolen property for the purpose of trafficking, failure to comply with a release order, and possession of proceeds of crime.

Macleod, in addition to the charge to which she pleaded guilty on Wednesday, was charged with possession of stolen property, possession of a firearm knowing it was obtained by crime, and possession of a firearm knowing possession is unauthorized.

Those charges are expected to be withdrawn when Macleod is sentenced later this Fall.