A 33-year old Yorkton woman facing drug trafficking charges will find out today if she will be freed or remain in jail while her case makes its way through the courts.
Crystal Ford was busted November 4 along with three others, two from Yorkton, in a multiple agency sting dubbed F-Jackpot. Co-accused of trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine were Kevin Thurston and Derek MacDonald of Yorkton and James Lloyd of Regina.
At the time, Ford was subject to a warrant for failing to appear in court on charges of uttering a forged document and breach of an undertaking.
Nevertheless, she made bail November 10 on $1,000 and conditions to live at an approved residence, observe a 24-hour curfew, wear an electronic monitoring device, abstain from alcohol and non-prescription drugs, have no cell phones and have no contact with co-accused Kevin Thurston. Both Thurston and MacDonald were also released each on $500 bail.
By November 16, Ford and MacDonald were back in custody, both facing assault charges following an alleged domestic dispute.
MacDonald remained in custody pending a new bail hearing November 25 while Ford was again released following a lengthy hearing November 17 during which defence attorney Mark Persick argued the Crown’s case against his client was weak.
Ford enjoyed less than 24 hours of freedom this time, however. She was arrested again November 18 on undisclosed breach charges. At a court appearance November 19, prosecutor Crown Daryl Bode said simply, “It goes without saying the Crown is deeply opposed to her release.”
Persick consented to Ford’s remand pending a new bail hearing scheduled for today.
