Originally charged with attempted murder, Connor Diamond Royce Saddleback, 30, of Montana First Nation pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm on the first day of his trial on Oct. 1, 2024 in the Edmonton Court of King's Bench.
He was sentenced to eight months in jail and a lifetime firearms prohibition.
Two other charges of unlawful confinement and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm were withdrawn.
The charges stemmed from an incident on Feb. 24, 2022 in Maskwacis.
A male victim had sustained serious injuries from an assault.
The initial police report stated the victim was at a residence known to him when he was attacked and held against his will. After some time the victim was able to escape to safety.
RCMP determined three males were responsible the attack and charged them with attempted murder, forcible confinement and uttering threats.
The charges against the other two suspects were withdrawn or discharged in December, 2023.
Indecent act
Jaycee Applegarth, 49, was arrested and charged with one count of committing an indecent act after an incident at the Wetaskiwin Dollarama on Nov. 16 2024.
When Wetaskiwin RCMP arrived at the store, the suspect had allegedly just committed an indecent act in front of several people.
On Nov. 19, Applegarth pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six days in jail (less six days served in pre-trial custody) and six months of probation. The surcharge was waived.
Aggravated assault
Maskwacis resident Bobby Larenze Bull, 24, who was at large for assault with a weapon, has now been arrested.
In June 17, 2024, Wetaskiwin RCMP received a report of an assault a an apartment in Wetaskiwin. The victim, a 26-year-old resident of Maskwacis, was taken by STARS to hospital with serious injuries.
Police determined the victim had a confrontation with the suspect where the suspect struck the victim with several weapons causing the serious injuries.
In early July, RCMP advised they were still looking for Bull as he was wanted for the assault and other unrelated, but violent offences.
RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Troy Savinkoff advised on Nov. 28, 2024, that Bull had been arrested and remanded into custody.
He has been charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, three release order violations and two weapons offences.
Bull's trial is scheduled for March 3, 2025.
Stabbing suspect wanted
As of Nov. 28, 2024, Maskwacis resident Nicholas Morin, 28, was still wanted for aggravated assault, disobeying a court order, and two counts of failing to comply with release conditions.
On Oct, 28 2024, Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to a 911 call that a male had been stabbed at a residence in Wetaskiwin.
RCMP members performed CPR, reviving the victim while they waited for EMS to arrive. Suspecting the victim would not survive the wait, officers transported the victim to hospital themselves.
The victim was then transported to an Edmonton hospital via STARS air ambulance where he was stabilized.
Wanted for arson
Wetaskiwin resident Clayton Courtright, 25, is wanted in relation to a residential fire on 55 Ave. in Wetaskiwin on Nov. 7, 2024.
The fire impacted five residences, according to an RCMP press release.
As of Dec. 5, the warrant for Courtright was still outstanding.
Charges stayed
Sandy Brown, 33, a resident of Maskwacis, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and failing to comply with release conditions.
The trial was scheduled for Nov. 28, 2024 in Wetaskiwin but the charges were stayed (to temporarily or permanently halt court proceedings).
On Jan. 11, 2023, Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing of a male in Wetaskiwin.
Several minutes later, RCMP received a report of a second stabbing incident. When RCMP arrived two additional victims were located.
Robbery with a firearm
A preliminary hearing has been set for Jan. 31, 2025, in Wetaskiwin for an Edmonton man charged in relation to a robbery in Wetaskiwin last summer.
Denver Keith Deschamps, 24, is accused of robbery with a firearm, fleeing from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and failing to comply with a release order.
On July 8, 2024, Wetaskiwin RCMP were dispatched to 4600 block of 48 Avenue in Wetaskiwin. Investigation revealed a suspect pointed a can of bear spray and a firearm at the victim and then the victim was punched several times before his wallet was stolen.
The suspect then fled through Maskwacis to near the Town of Calmar, where the suspect crashed into a ditch.
Carjacking suspects
Matthew Moonias, 23, and Donovan Kyle Rain, 33, are facing seven counts of robbery in relation to a carjacking in Ponoka on May 9, 2024.
A trial has been scheduled for both accused for May 5, 2025 in Ponoka.
On May 9, 2024, Ponoka RCMP received a report of a vehicle stolen at gunpoint from outside a residence on 55 Street.
Later the same day, the suspect vehicle was sighted in Maskwacis. It was located in the Samson town site.
During the short pursuit, police stated the an occupant of the vehicle tossed items out the window including a loaded SKS rifle.
All four occupants of the vehicle were arrested, but the charges against the other two occupants of the vehicle were later withdrawn.
