WESTLOCK – A Westlock-area man caught with more than 60 grams of meth and cocaine last spring faces a two-year prison sentence and lifetime weapons bans.
Appearing in Westlock Provincial Court Feb. 9 over the phone from the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre, Brandon Mathew Kandt pleaded guilty to possession for the purpose of trafficking and received a 24-month prison sentence from Judge Rosanna Saccomani — the sentence was a joint submission from federal Crown prosecutor Erwin Schulz and defence lawyer David Keyes.
Kandt, 28, also faces a lifetime weapons ban and must provide a sample of his DNA to RCMP, while four additional charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, unauthorized possession of a prohibited/restricted weapon, possession of a firearm in a vehicle and possession of a prohibited firearm were withdrawn.
Judge Saccomani told Kandt he needs to “pull up your socks” and turn his life around to be a good father to his nine-year-old daughter, who currently lives with her great grandmother. Kandt, who said he had a decent job prior to his arrest “but got caught up in drugs again” told the judge he talks to his daughter every night before she goes to bed.
“You have an enormous responsibility to your child, and I’m pleased to hear you have daily contact with her. You obviously understand how your poor decisions and incarceration affect her,” said Judge Saccomani. “None of us involved in the administration of justice like to see people in jail, but we have a responsibly to the community to keep the peace and when you break the law, you’re not keeping the peace.
“They (his daughter and grandmother) both need you to pull up your socks. You have to make a decision: it’s either the drugs and addiction, or your daughter and grandmother. Don’t let them down.”
Keyes said his client, who has earned his GED in recent years, has gone through “significant hardships” but there’s still hope that he can turn his life around.
“He’s been coping with drug addictions with most of his life and first used cocaine at the age of 13. In 2017 he lost a very dear friend and in 2019 he lost his girlfriend — both died of drug overdoses. And then in 2021 one of his brothers died from a drug-related death,” said Keyes. “These relapses have really dealt blows to him and really brought about his need for rehab to be able to have some safeguards when things don’t go well. He understands this.”
Schulz told court that around 8 p.m., April 7, 2021, Westlock RCMP were conducting patrols in area of 100th Avenue and 109th Street. RCMP noticed a white SUV parked in an alley west of 100th Avenue behind the home of a known relative of Kandt.
“RCMP then received some information that the accused was known to be wanted on outstanding warrants and to be operating a vehicle matching a white Chevrolet Tahoe,” said Schulz.
Police pulled in behind, turned on their emergency lights and spoke to Kandt, who was the lone occupant. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failing to meet conditions of his parole and during the search they found 59.75 grams of methamphetamine, 5.975 grams of cocaine, a digital scale, brass knuckles and $3,064.70 in cash. While the drugs have been forfeited to the Crown for disposal, Kandt will get the money back as he was able to show he earned it from his job.
