The Crown is seeking a three-year sentence for a Prince George man who pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen truck and firearm without registration and breaching a court order.
Prince George Provincial Court heard Nov. 25 that Dallas Lee Blanchette, 38, was arrested Feb. 3, 2023 in a Ford Explorer that had been stolen the previous day from a parking lot near Ferry Avenue and the Trans-Canada Highway. A woman reported to Prince George RCMP that a jacket containing her keys was stolen and she found the jacket, minus the keys, in the snow after her shift when she also noticed her vehicle missing.
Just over a month later, on March 14, 2023, police with a search warrant arrested Blanchette in a residence where they found drug paraphernalia and KelTec semi-automatic 12-gauge and Churchill 12-gauge pump action shotguns.
Blanchette’s release order was amended almost a year later, requiring him to remain under 24-hour house arrest. He could only be away from his residence with permission of a bail supervisor.
But, on May 3, 2024, there was a dead battery in his ankle monitor and Blanchette did not respond to phone calls. A police officer visited his residence and spoke with Blanchette’s father. Blanchette was located at a job site in Hixon.
The Crown application said the sentence should emphasize deterrence and denunciation, because of Blanchette’s lengthy record, which includes: three convictions for possession of stolen property or stolen vehicles; six convictions for possession of stolen property or other types of property; 15 convictions for breaching orders; five Criminal Code or Motor Vehicle Act driving prohibitions; three flights from police; and one for dangerous operation of a vehicle.
Crown is also seeking a five-year driving ban and a 12-month order for Blanchette to not be anywhere in a vehicle without the registered owner present.
The defence proposed a conditional sentence order of between 12 and 24 months, to be served in the community, to balance rehabilitation with deterrence and denunciation.
The court heard that Blanchette began drinking and taking drugs at age 16. He has stolen from his family, lost housing, jobs and tools and been alienated from his son. He discovered he was Metis 20 years ago, but has recently connected with his culture through his father. His rehabilitation plan includes acceptance to study at a career college and he hopes to leave Prince George and live with family in McBride.
When Judge Judith Doulis invited Blanchette to address the court, he apologized to the community, victims and his family. He said he has a “good, solid plan to get out of this.”
“My son really needs me right now, 16, same age I was making bad choices,” said Blanchette, who remains in custody. “I’d like to be there for him.”
Doulis reserved decision. A date for the next hearing is to be scheduled.
