(Lethbridge) Two men have been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for their role in blocking the Canada-U.S. border crossing in Coutts, Alberta.
Anthony Olienick showed no emotion, while Chris Carbert appeared dejected and crossed his arms as the sentence was read in Court of King’s Bench in Lethbridge, Alta., on Monday.
Neither will serve their full sentences, with Judge David Labrenz giving them nearly four years credit for time already served.
Both were found guilty of mischief and possession of a firearm dangerous to the public peace, while Mr Olienick was also found guilty of possession of a pipe bomb.
A jury found them not guilty of the most serious charge they faced, conspiracy to murder police officers.
The blockade was one of many demonstrations held across the country to protest health regulations related to the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination promoted by the government.
Mr. Olienick and Mr. Carbert were charged after RCMP found firearms, ammunition and bulletproof vests in trailers near the border crossing.
Additional firearms, ammunition and two pipe bombs were found at Mr. Olienick’s home in Claresholm, Alta.
Two other protesters accused of conspiracy to commit murder at the blockade pleaded guilty earlier this year to lesser charges.
Christopher Lysak was sentenced to three years in prison for possession of a restricted firearm in an unauthorized place. Jerry Morin was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for conspiracy to traffic in firearms.
These sentences correspond to the time the men spent in pre-trial detention.