Fentanyl dealer gets prison sentence
A Charlottetown drug dealer has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for possession of fentanyl for trafficking purposes.
Faren Bruce Reeves, 52, pleaded guilty on March 20 in provincial court in Charlottetown to the drug charge as well as possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose and an unrelated theft under $5,000 offence.
Reeves appeared in court by video from the Provincial Correctional Centre.
THE FACTS
In October 2023, Charlottetown police received information that Reeves was selling fentanyl from a room at 263 University Avenue. On Oct. 16, police set up surveillance and saw several known drug users enter and leave the residence, said federal Crown attorney Jacob Zelman at sentencing.
Police continued surveillance on Oct. 17 and then executed a search warrant at that residence and arrested Reeves and a woman. Police seized 9.22 grams of fentanyl, $1,370, a digital scale, knives, needles, drug paraphernalia and a cell phone. The cell phone had evidence that supported the drug trafficking offence. Police also seized an Airsoft replica firearm and charged Reeves with possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose.
LIQUOR STORE THEFT
Reeves also pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of Kahlua worth $19.49 from the West Royalty liquor store on July 8. Reeves paid for an eight-pack of beer but left the store without paying for the bottle of Kahlua, which was concealed inside his jacket. Reeves was captured on video surveillance committing the theft, said Crown attorney Jeff Macdonald.
THIRD DRUG CONVICTION
Zelman stayed a drug charge against the female co-accused. For Reeves, Zelman recommended three years in prison for the drug offence. Zelman noted that Reeves wasn't operating a high-level commercial operation. Even so, his criminal record had two prior drug possession for trafficking convictions and sentences – 15 months in jail in 2011 and 12 months in 2015.
Reeves' legal-aid lawyer Chris Van Ouwerkerk recommended two years for his client on the drug matter. Van Ouwerkerk explained that Reeves was using fentanyl and selling the drug to support his addiction. Van Ouwerkerk added that Reeves was living in the basement at the residence as a "squatter."
SENTENCE
"Once again we're dealing with fentanyl," said Chief Judge Jeff Lantz, who sided with the federal Crown and sentenced Reeves to three years in prison for the drug charge and 60 days concurrent for possession of an imitation firearm for a dangerous purpose. Reeves also received 30 days consecutive for the liquor store theft.
With respect to the drug offence, Lantz noted that the concern with fentanyl is similar to the situation with crystal meth. He explained that P.E.I. was able to avoid crystal meth for a while but now it's hitting the province "with a vengeance."
In the past couple of months, Lantz has also sentenced other offenders for drug trafficking offences, including one for 36 months and another for 42 months.
In addition to the prison term, Reeves received a lifetime firearms ban and was ordered to provide a sample of his DNA to authorities. Reeves was given eight months of enhanced credit for time already served in presentence custody.