Losing his job and connections to the community because of the pandemic took a toll on John Lewis Sullivan’s mental health, which likely prompted him to engage in criminal behaviour.
Sullivan, 40, appeared in Moose Jaw provincial court recently and pleaded guilty to several charges he racked up last year between May and December.
Specifically, he pleaded guilty to uttering threats to cause bodily harm, possessing a prohibited weapon (conducted energy weapon, or taser), failing to attend court, possessing methamphetamine, possessing prohibited weapons (expandable baton and taser), being the occupant of a vehicle that contained prohibited weapons (hatchet and knives), and assaulting two peace officers.
In turn, the Crown stayed more than a dozen other charges against him.
Police arrested Sullivan on Dec. 8, 2021, following an incident at his parents’ home. He spent 38 actual days in custody before his January appearance, but the court credited him with 57 days and decided he did not have to serve any more time.
Instead, he was placed on probation for one year, had to forfeit all the weapons — aside from the marijuana, liquor and whiskey found in his vehicle — police seized, is prohibited from owning firearms for 10 years, must provide a DNA sample and is encouraged to take addiction treatment.
The Crown and defence also recommended that he serve either 30 or 60 days in jail for his other offences. However, those will run concurrently — or at the same time — with the probation.
The first offence that Sullivan incurred in 2021 was in May when police arrested him for possessing a prohibited weapon — a taser, explained Crown prosecutor Rob Parker. He was instructed to attend court in August but failed to appear, so a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Officers caught Sullivan during a traffic stop in mid-October, Parker continued. When told he had an outstanding warrant, he became agitated.
“Upon searching the vehicle, police located two prohibited weapons: a working taser and an extendable baton. They also seized four knives, three hatchets, a machete and a hammer that were within easy reach of the driver,” said Parker.
Also, during the arrest, police found two grams of marijuana and 3.3 grams of crystal meth. Police later charged him for having the meth.
A day later, while in custody, Sullivan threatened the commissionaire monitoring the cells and threatened an officer and his wife since he knew them, the Crown prosecutor added. The threats were caught on audio.
Meanwhile, police arrested Sullivan in October and found a working homemade taser in his vehicle during another traffic stop.
Lastly, police were called to a home in early December for a report of a disturbance, Parker said. Sullivan’s mother thought he had stolen from her and confronted him, whereupon an argument ensued.
Sullivan locked himself in his parents’ basement, which led to a large police response that included many officers, the Police and Crisis Team (PACT) and a crisis negotiator. While downstairs, he banged a hockey stick against a window, attempting to intimidate police.
Legal Aid lawyer Suzanne Jeanson explained that Sullivan was laid off from his trades job when the pandemic began and has been unemployed for two years. The loss of his job, community connections and closure of his gym were difficult on him and his mental health. He had 10 years of sobriety but relapsed last year.
Sullivan understands and accepts the need for treatment, she added. He also accepts the probation sentence and will focus on recovery during that time.
Judge Brian Hendrickson accepted the joint submission and said it was an appropriate sentence.
