Conditions amended for man involved in Coutts protest

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on September 7, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

A southern Alberta man ordered not to have any contact with several individuals who were arrested during a protest near the Coutts border earlier this year, had his matters adjourned Tuesday.

Eastin Stewart Oler, who is charged with mischief to property and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, had been ordered not to have any contact with co-accused Ursula Allred, Luke Berk, Johnson Law, Justin Marten, Janx Zaremba, Evan Colenut, Jaclyne Martin, and Joanne Person, who face the same charges and have similar bail conditions.

During a brief hearing last month in Lethbridge provincial court, Oler’s bail conditions were amended to allow him contact with Zaremba, but not until Zaremba’s lawyer, Darren Mahoney, makes the same application and a judge approves the proposed amendment.
Calgary lawyer Adriano Iovinelli appeared in Lethbridge provincial court Tuesday along with Crown Prosecutor Steven Johnston to adjourn the matter to Sept. 16 to consolidate with the co-accused. 
RCMP arrested the individuals Feb. 14 during the blockade of trucks and vehicles at the Coutts border, after becoming aware of a cache of firearms and ammunition. The protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions began late January and lasted until Feb. 15 when protestors began dispersing in response to the discovery of weapons.
Charges against two of the accused, Berk and Law, were stayed by the Crown last month. A stay of proceedings allows the Crown to halt legal proceedings against an accused, although the proceedings can recommence within a year should evidence warrant it.
Four others arrested during the protest – Chris Carbert, Christopher Lysak, Anthony Olienick and Jerry Morin – face an additional charge of conspiracy to commit murder, while Lysak also faces a charge of uttering threats. All four individuals have been denied bail in Court of Queen’s Bench.

– with files from Delon Shurtz

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