Guilty plea results in fine for drug possession

By Delon Shurtz on August 18, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A Lethbridge man caught with drugs in his home won’t go to jail, but he will have to pay an unusually hefty fine.
Marty Lee Fransen was scheduled to stand trial Tuesday in Lethbridge provincial court on charges of drug possession, possession of stolen property under $5,000, and causing a child to be drug endangered.
However, Fransen pleaded guilty instead to one of two drug possession charges, and was fined $1,000.
Court was told that on April 30, 2020 police searched Fransen’s westside home and found .5 grams of methamphetamine in his bedroom. He was arrested and charged with the offences for which he was to stand trial, but following his guilty plea the remaining charges were withdrawn.
Calgary lawyer Robin McIntyre said the 46-year-old man has four children between the ages of 14 and 20, one of whom has Down’s Syndrome.
“There were kids in the home, as well, at the time,” McIntyre said.
She added Fransen and his wife are staying healthy and sober for the children. The couple is under a six-month supervision order, and a social worker visits the home at least once a month.
Judge Jerry LeGrandeur noted the unusually high fine, and McIntyre confirmed there was a considerable amount of “quid quo pro” between the Crown and defence to arrive at the guilty plea and recommended fine.

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