Drug-trafficking suspect faces new charges
Kyle MacKenzie Ingraham, 28, of Fredericton, was sprung last month on conditions, but remains free despite allegations he violated terms of release order
A Fredericton man accused of possessing meth and fentanyl for trafficking purposes now faces new counts alleging firearms offences and a breach of his release order - but he remains free.
Kyle MacKenzie Ingraham, 28, of Capitol Manor in Fredericton, charged with possessing cocaine, meth and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, possessing a stolen Honda Civic, possessing less than $5,000 in cash believed to be the proceeds of crime, and careless storage of shotgun shells, all on April 12 in Fredericton.
He’s also accused of obstruction of a city police officer and probation violation March 5.
Ingraham had been held for a bail hearing following his arrest last month, but on the date of his scheduled hearing, April 17, the Crown withdrew its objection to his arrest and agreed to his release on conditions.
That decision by the prosecution drew criticism from Judge Mary Jane Richards, who was at a loss as to why the Crown would agree to an alleged drug trafficker’s release on what she viewed as lax conditions.
Ingraham was back in provincial court Monday, scheduled not only to elect mode of trial and enter pleas on the previous charges, but to answer to new counts as well.
He’s now charged by the Fredericton Police Force with possessing a firearm or imitation thereof for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, possessing a firearm (a pellet gun) while prohibited by a court order, and failing to be of good behaviour, thereby violating the conditions of his release order and probation order, all on May 2 in Fredericton.
Ingraham also faces an additional April 27 charge of violating the curfew condition of his release order.
Despite allegations of three violations of his release order and probation, Ingraham remains free on those conditions and appeared in court Monday in person.
Ingraham asked for an adjournment, noting he’d retained defence lawyer Michael Mallory, who’d told him to set the charges over for a month.
Judge Natalie LeBlanc granted the request and set the matters over to June 5 for election of mode of trial and pleas.
Also charged as a result of the April 12 arrest was Katie Jaclyn Stewart, 40, of Colburne Drive in Geary, who faces the same counts of possession of meth and cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the stolen car and careless storage of shotgun shells, plus a charge of possession of Dilaudid for the purpose of trafficking.
Like Ingraham, Stewart had also been remanded initially for a bail hearing but was freed after the prosecutor withdrew its objection to her release.
She appeared in provincial court Monday as well, though she faced no new charges.
Stewart told court she has yet to retain counsel. She said she’s hoping to hire a lawyer privately but is also applying for legal aid as a backup plan.
LeBlanc set her charges over to May 29.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.
These decisions sadly don’t surprise me. New Brunswick has such a terrible track record regarding the proper administration of Justice. It’s a bunch of yahoos running kangaroo court. The public has no confidence in their circus.
I swear I just read articles from Ontario Quebec in New Brunswick just within the last couple weeks where they said that when regarding bail and repeat offenders that it was going to be harder to get bail, as well as reading articles from all three places about being stricter with the consequences when it comes to being caught with guns or ammunition.
So obviously more empty promises and words from our government no shocker there