A serviceman from the U.S air force who tried to enter Canada through North Portal received a $3,000 fine for failing to relinquish his rifle and empty magazines upon entry.
Corey Antonelli, 27, was represented by his defense lawyer in Estevan provincial court on June 8, where a joint submission was proposed to Chief Judge J. A. Plemel, which included the $3,000 fine.
According to the federal Crown, Antonelli was driving his truck with a trailer that mostly contained household goods. He was heading to Alaska.
Before being examined by border patrol officers at North Portal, Antonelli was asked if he was carrying any weapons. Antonelli responded that he wasn’t, and said he used to own a shotgun but had sold it. Shortly after, officers found a switchblade that resulted in a more thorough search of his vehicle and trailer.
After the more intense search began, Antonelli voluntarily revealed that he did, in fact, have an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle disassembled in his trailer alongside a large quantity of empty magazines. The weapon was concealed in a plastic tote bag, which was tucked in among various pieces of clothing.
The Crown said Antonelli placed a lot of effort in avoiding detection, but was ultimately co-operative and noted after the search he had no intention of selling the weapon in Canada or Alaska.
Mitigating factors for Antonelli included a lack of a criminal record.
The defense said Antonelli simply noted it was a “complete lack of judgment on his part,” and that he had no intention of doing anything malicious upon his entry to Canada. He added that he may be facing repercussions through the air force as well.
Plemel said Antonelli’s convictions were serious, and even though Antonelli had no intention of selling the weapon, there was the possibility of it going missing or being stolen, the judge noted could have placed the general public in danger.
Antonelli was given six months to pay the fine.
