A B.C. Provincial Court judge sentenced Travis Storoschuk to a total of 214 days in custody and 24 months probation on April 17. He will also be subject to a prohibition from possessing a firearm for five years.
Having been in pre-trial custody for 153 days, Storoschuk was given credit for 230 days of jail time, with the judge crediting him with a half day for every day already served, meaning he would be released on Thursday, April 17.
The case appeared in a virtual courtroom, with counsel for defence, Crown counsel and the judge all appearing via video and Strosochuk appearing on video from the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre.
Storoschuk was appearing in relation to eleven files, some of which resulted in more than one criminal charge. His counsel Ben Lynskey and the Crown counsel Clare Hauser had both agreed on a recommended sentence to present to the judge.
The 36-year-old Williams Lake man pleaded guilty to many of the charges, with some of the initial charges against him being "plead down" which means he pleaded guilty to lesser charges and some charges being stayed.
He entered guilty pleas to charges which included unauthorized possession of a firearm, breach of conditions, assault, breach of a curfew order, assault of a peace officer with intent to resist arrest and disobeying a court order in regards to a no contact order.
Hauser acknowledged the significant savings of the court cost and time in avoiding a trial as well as the reduced impact on witnesses in not having to testify.
Lynskey emphasized the role substance use had in Storoschuk's criminality. He said his client admitted he had fallen into addiction. Lynskey said previous to this, Storoschuk had been employed consistently since high school and had owned his own business.
"I think he gets the message now that court orders are not something that he can disregard," said Lynskey.
"Mr. Storoschuk is a first time offender who by all accounts has been a contributing member of society to this point," he said.
Storoschuk has been in custody for 153 days since being taken into custody by police in Williams Lake. He received extra credit due to it being pre-trial detention, and received credit for 230 days, which exceeds the sentence, resulting in his release.
Hon. Wendy Bernt of B.C. Provincial Court, agreed to the sentence proposed by both counsel, and read out the sentence, which will see him released from custody on April 17.
"I do think this is a fair and appropriate sentence," said Bernt.
She noted how unusual it was to see someone his age face so many charges while having no previous record, and pointed out the number of times he was found in violation of his curfew.
"That should emphasize to you, even more than me, how horrible drugs are on your life," she said.
"I think this is likely very out of character for a sober Travis Storoschuk."
During his time in custody, Storoschuk was noted as having attended narcotics anonymous, counselling and completed a Living Without Violence program.
Storoschuk will be released on conditions including not to own or possess weapons of any kind, to attend counselling, substance treatment and a no contact order.
Bernt cautioned Storoschuk any breach of the conditions of his release could lead to significant time in custody as a result of his now extensive record.
"It's only to your own benefit to follow these conditions," she said.
