An excursion across the U.S. border south of Roche Percee, combined with two .08 impaired driving charges, netted Jordan Henry Dussault a fine, a spell in a treatment centre and a lengthy driving prohibition.
Dussault represented himself in Estevan Provincial Court on Monday, pleading guilty to one count of failing to enter Canada at a customs office, one count of operating a conveyance with a blood alcohol level exceeding .08 from the RM of Corman Park, south of Saskatoon, and another from a .08 charge from Estevan. An open liquor ticket was withdrawn by the Crown.
Federal Crown prosecutor Eric Neufeld explained that police had “discovered through technology” someone had crossed at a non-port eight kilometres south of Roche Percee. Later, someone came back to the same area.
“Ultimately through technology they discerned the licence plate of the employee’s truck,” he said.
It was later determined that the truck had received some minor damage. That truck was traced to Dussault’s employer, and ultimately to him. Neufeld said Dussault did not have permission to use the truck to move to a new residence, “never mind out of the country.”
Dussault had apparently done some work in the area, when he “went south to take some pictures, which seems strange,” Neufeld said, adding he was fortunate he didn’t face additional charges for taking the vehicle without permission.
“Sometimes offences like this seem minor, but they’re not,” Neufeld said, noting it’s important weapons and people don’t come into our country illegally. The maximum fine is $50,000 and/or six months in jail, but he was asking for only a $1,000 fine.
Neufeld said Dussault had an unrelated criminal record, but he also made a reference to cigarettes.
Dussault said, “At the time, I didn’t realize I crossed into the States. I had no intention of crossing into the States.”
This led to the impaired driving charges, which were handled by provincial Crown prosecutor Mitch Crumley.
On Dec. 22, 2018, Dussault was observed waking and yelling near Gibby’s Pub. The walk was more of a stagger. He was seen sitting in a running truck when police confronted him. He told them he was, in fact, a designated driver. Be blew .120 and .120 on the breathalyzer in this instance.
The next occurrence was south of Saskatoon, on Highway 11 northbound near Floral Road. This time he was in a vehicle that was not registered. He produced a valid driver’s licence, but it was from Ontario. This time he blew .130 and .140 in the breathalyzer after he was arrested.
He will be going to the impaired driver treatment centre at Prince Albert on Oct. 4. Crumley asked that he be placed on probation until then, and then he serve 37 days of incarceration at the treatment centre, plus the one day considered having been served by attending court.
He also asked for a three-year driving prohibition.
Dussault said, “I really have been trying not to drink and not to get in trouble.”
Judge Michelle Brass accepted and imposed the sentencing recommendations of both prosecutors. Dussault asked that an associated open liquor charge be withdrawn, and it was.
