No sentence yet for man who pleaded guilty to drug charges

A Lethbridge man who pleaded guilty earlier this year to drug-related charges, is still waiting to find out how much time he’ll spend in jail.

Levi Duncan Reiter was expected to be sentenced Thursday in Lethbridge court of justice, but the judge was told the Crown and defence lawyer need more time to iron out their recommendations for sentencing.

Reiter faces two charges of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of possession of the proceeds of crime, to which he pleaded guilty in March.

Federal Crown Prosecutor Mark Klassen told court on March 6 that Lethbridge police received confidential information in January 2021 that Reiter was selling drugs from his house in the 1400 block of 12 Avenue North, and from his vehicle.

Police began an investigation and watched Reiter for five days while he met briefly with people coming to his residence, where police believed he was selling drugs. Police also saw him driving, or being driven in, his vehicle around the city where he met with people for short periods of time and appeared to engage in activity consistent with drug trafficking.

“Some of the people that Mr. Reiter was seen meeting with were known to the police to be either drug users, drug addicts or otherwise involved in the drug trade in Lethbridge,” Klassen said.

Police arrested Reiter on Jan. 20, 2021 following a traffic stop, during which they found Reiter in possession of $575 cash, 3.3 grams of methamphetamine and 1.2 grams of cocaine. They found during a search of his garage 30.5 grams of meth and 21.2 grams of cocaine, in addition to scales.

Police also found in a bedroom of Reiter’s house $7,085 cash, scales, and score sheets with lists of drug debts. They found more scales in other parts of the residence, as well.

“Mr. Reiter admits he was in possession of those drugs for the purpose of selling them, and that he obtained that cash by the commission of offences in Canada,” Klassen said.

The judge agreed to adjourn sentencing until Thursday’s hearing to allow time for the preparation of a pre-sentence report, which will provide the court with Reiter’s background and personal circumstances to help determine a fit sentence.

Calgary lawyer Shaun Leochko said Thursday the report is done, but he and the Crown need more time to prepare for the sentencing hearing, which is set for June 15.