A Brantford man, under court order to remain in his house, was found running a “mobile drug operation” from his car when stopped by police last year.
James Reynolds Wilson, 32, had a replica gun tucked between the driver’s seat and the center console. Brantford police also found a large amount of cocaine, along with fentanyl, methamphetamine and crack cocaine, in his vehicle. And he had a large glass bong between his feet.
At about 9 pm on Nov. 29, Wilson’s black sedan was stopped by police near East Avenue and Alfred Street because he almost struck a cruiser.
“This is no way to live a life,” said Justice Kathleen Baker as she sentenced Wilson to 5 1/2 years in prison, with credit for serving about seven months. The sentence was agreed to by the defence, Crown and federal drug prosecutor.
Baker said fentanyl has been a scourge on the nation and on Brantford in particular. The drug has “worked a horror” on users, ruining lives and resulting in many funding their addiction by selling drugs or stealing property, she said.
And the judge said the gun, which Wilson was using for protection in the drug trade, was a danger.
“I can appreciate that it was not an actual weapon but one doesn’t have to think too hard to imagine disastrous repercussions, especially if a police officer sees a firearm sitting right beside you.”
The judge also noted that Wilson was breaching an order to stay in his home.
“You were out of your residence and driving around in some sort of mobile drug operation.”
His previous record, which includes two prior convictions for firearm offences, also was a concern.
But Baker applauded Wilson for accepting responsibility for his actions and quickly dealing with his charges. She noted that courts have been instructed to give extra credit for criminals who are helping to alleviate the tremendous backlog created by the pandemic.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of drugs for trafficking and possession of a weapon.
“You’re not that old,” Baker told Wilson.
“This is your first time in the penitentiary and it’s not an insignificant amount of time,” she said.
“But you’ve still got lots of time left and I hope you put it to better use.”
Charges were withdrawn against a 35-year-old Brantford woman who was with Wilson in the car.
Wilson continues in court dealing with a February 2021 aggravated assault charge.
@EXPSGamble