LLOYDMINSTER – A 21-year-old man was sentenced to two years in jail and given a three-year driving prohibition for his part in a home invasion on Onion Lake Cree Nation last year.
Gerome Christopher Okemow had pleaded guilty in April and his sentencing was adjourned to Aug. 4 in Lloydminster Saskatchewan court.
Okemow’s co-accused 23-year-old Lane Ryder Pahtayken has pleaded not guilty.
The two were charged after shots were fired at a home in April 2021. Onion Lake RCMP say that the residents in the home fled to a nearby home and weren’t harmed. After the two suspects fled and headed towards Lloydminster, Alberta RCMP issued a media release warning the public that two suspects were at large and believed to be armed and dangerous. OLCN is located about 50 kilometres north of Lloydminster. Both Onion Lake Cree Nation and Lloydminster border the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The Edmonton Air Services and RCMP Canine Unit helped police from Onion Lake, Maidstone, Lloydminster, Kitscoty and Elk Point RCMP detachments locate the two suspects. Alberta RCMP arrested Okemow and Pahtayken a few hours later in Kitscoy without incident. The North Battleford RCMP Detachment and the Underwater Recovery and Forensic Identification sections assisted.
Okemow pleaded guilty to intentionally discharging a firearm into a home, flight from police, dangerous driving, theft of a truck, and taking a vehicle without consent.
Pahtayken was charged with seven firearms-related offences, flight from a peace officer, dangerous driving, theft of a truck, mischief over $5,000, damage to property, and failing to comply with an undertaking. He also has charges from February 2021 including assault, obstruction and breach of an undertaking. The charges against Pahtayken haven’t been tested in court.
ljoy@glaciermedia.ca
