Perth-Andover man admits to trafficking crimes
Stephen Perley Jr., 28, to be sentenced in March for cocaine, methamphetamine offences
On the day he was to stand trial on firearms and drug-trafficking charges, a Perth-Andover man admitted to some of those offences instead.
Stephen Perley Jr., 28, of Main Street in Perth-Andover, previously elected to be tried in provincial court and pleaded not guilty to June 14, 2021, counts of possessing of cocaine and meth for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a prohibited firearm (a handgun), possession of that loaded weapon without a licence, and possession of a prohibited firearm knowing that he wasn’t the holder of a licence.
Those charges allege offences in Fredericton.
His trial was set to begin Thursday in Fredericton provincial court, but Perley appeared by video from a federal prison where he’s serving a sentence for unrelated offences.
Defence lawyer Steve McNair noted his client was prepared to admit to some of the charges.
Perley changed his pleas to guilty to the drug counts and to the charge of possession of the loaded handgun without a licence.
The offender will be back before the court March 7 for sentencing.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.