PRINCE ALBERT – Update: On April 30, at about 2 p.m., Saskatchewan RCMP’s Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team located and arrested Kelfort Keller on Wahpeton Dakota Nation.
Kelfort Keller is scheduled to appear in Prince Albert Provincial Court on May 2.
Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team and Police Dog Services assisted in this arrest.
Original story: Kelfort James Keller, 56, who is wanted by Correctional Service Canada, beat one of his victims with a hammer and a bar, according to parole and court documents obtained by SaskToday.
During the attack, the victim lost teeth, had part of his ear cut off, was severely burned with an unknown substance, and tortured for at least five hours.
The victim, who had taken his vehicle to Keller's brother to be fixed, was forced to sign over his truck, according to court documents. His bank card was stolen and he was beaten more when he provided the wrong pin number.
Keller has a lengthy criminal record for offences including attempted murder and violent sexual assaults against women he’s in relationships with, and against young females.
In the assaults he has also used a firearm, wood, an axe handle and his hands as weapons against his victims. He has spent most of his adult life in prison, according to court documents.
While in prison, Keller had joined the Indian Posse street gang but was later forced out of that street gang, according to Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench documents.
“In the penitentiary he learned that using violence gave one respect or earned one respect,” said the judge. “He learned not to talk to anyone and not to trust anyone. If you show weakness or vulnerability, you end up as someone's ‘bitch.’”
Keller, who is from Lestock, Sask., has significant Gladue factors and suffered physical, emotional, and sexual abuse as a child, reveal court documents. He also suffered a loss of his culture and connection to his Indigenous history.
The Crown had applied to have Keller declared a Dangerous Offender. Following a hearing, he was instead designated as a long-term offender and placed on a Long-Term Supervision Order (LTSO).
Keller is now wanted for violating his LTSO and Saskatchewan RCMP’s Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team (WEST) is searching for him.
RCMP WEST investigators believe Keller may be in the Prince Albert, Wahpeton Dakota Nation or Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation areas, though this can’t be confirmed.
Keller is 5-foot-9 and approximately 250 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair.
If you see Kelfort Keller, do not approach him. Report sightings or information on his whereabouts to your local police service. You can reach your local RCMP detachment by dialing 310-RCMP and information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
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