Samantha Cochrane has been sentenced to one year in jail, 18 months of probation and a restitution amount of $130,000 after being convicted of fraud over $5,000.
Cochrane, a resident of Wetaskiwin at the time, was arrested on July 16, 2020 by the Wetaskiwin RCMP. The charge text states that between April 1, 2019 and April 1, 2020, that Cochrane, by falsehood or other fraudulent means, unlawfully defrauded the Grace Lutheran Church in Wetaskiwin of an amount exceeding $5,000.
Cochrane pleaded guilty on April 27, 2021 and was sentenced on Sept. 13, 2022.
Grace Lutheran Church did not return a request for comment before press time.
Weapons charges
Dustin Dale Bateman of Ponoka has been charged with careless use of a firearm and unauthorized use of a firearm/prohibited weapon and will enter an election and plea on Oct. 14 at Ponoka Provincial Court.
On July 29, Bateman allegedly assaulted another male at the Calnash Ag Event Centre after being seen driving erratically in the parking lot.
He then reportedly left, returning 10 minutes later when he allegedly shot two rounds into the air from a firearm from his vehicle.
READ MORE: Ponoka RCMP arrest male for weapon offences
RCMP said the suspect then left again, driving down Highway 2A while firing three more rounds into the air from his vehicle.
Ponoka RCMP, along with Wetaskiwin Police Dog Services, located and arrested the suspect near the Aquaplex.
A search of the suspect’s vehicle located a 12-gauge shotgun which was seized by police. The vehicle being driven by the suspect was seized and towed. He also received an immediate roadside sanctions for impaired operation of a motor vehicle.
Second degree murder - Saddleback
A trial for a man charged with second degree murder of a victim from Montana First Nation will continue in October.
Dylon Samuel Saddleback of Ponoka, 19, has been accused of the killing of Joshua Blain Dennehy on July 28, 2020.
READ MORE: Ponoka man charged in homicide
His five-day, Judge-alone trial was scheduled for the Wetaskiwin Court of Queen’s Bench from Sept. 12 to 16.
His next trial date is Oct. 5 in Wetaskiwin.
Saddleback was taken into custody without issue by RCMP after police responded to a home on the Montana First Nation shortly before 11 p.m. on July 28.
Upon arrival, officers assisted EMS with a severely injured male who was found outside the home and later declared deceased, Dennehy, 23, at the scene.
The death was immediately tagged as suspicious and officers from the major crimes unit as well as the Maskwacis general investigation section were called in.
Second degree murder - Cattlemans
Originally scheduled for Sept. 1, Cole Gerald Cattleman, 25, and Chaz Joseph Cattleman, 22, both charged with second degree murder and aggravated assault, will enter their pleas and elections on Sept. 29 at Wetaskiwin Provincial Court.
Chaz was also charged with being unlawfully at large from parole.
The pair, both from Maskwacis, are accused in the killing of Skylar Currie, 20, of Maskwacis.
Currie passed away from injuries sustained after he was attacked in Montana First Nation on July 24.
While the two suspects fled, they allegedly assaulted a bystander, a 56-year-old resident of Maskwacis.
Second degree murder - Cook and Maslin
Adam James Cook, 27, and Morgan Maslin, 20, both from Wetaskiwin, were charged with the second degree murder of Antwon Bull of Ponoka.
Bull, 19, sustained life-threatening injuries during an altercation in Wetaskiwin on July 8. He died in hospital later that evening.
READ MORE: Two Wetaskiwin suspects charged with second degree murder for killing of Ponoka man
Maslin and Cook were to enter their elections and pleas on Sept. 13 at Wetaskiwin Provincial Court but that has been set over to Oct. 18.