A man facing two drug-related trials as well as a sentencing on possession of stolen art had dates set in provincial court on Thursday.
David Joseph Ellison, 31, of Red Deer returns to court on March 7 for sentencing for possession of stolen art pieces. Ellison was convicted of being in possession of two Michael Goddard works following a trial in August. He was also convicted of failing to appear in court.
A pre-sentence report was ordered at that time but was never conducted because Ellison had numerous drug charges. A new pre-sentence report was ordered on Thursday.
Ellison had two drug trials set tentatively for August but those were cancelled on Thursday because a key RCMP officer is unavailable then. The drug matters were adjourned until Feb. 10 to set a new date.
Federal Crown prosecutor Dave Inglis told court that about 16 officers are needed to testify at the two separate drug matters.
In one incident, Ellison is charged with smuggling drugs into the Red Deer Remand Centre, using bedsheets as a rope. He faces three counts of drug trafficking in that incident.
Police said they responded on July 15 to a complaint of a possible escape from a window on the centre’s north side.
A window had been smashed and a rope made from bedsheets went out the window, dangling about 30 cm above the pavement.
An investigation determined the rope was used to smuggle cocaine, oxycodone, marijuana and tobacco into the centre.
Ellison is also charged with several drug trafficking and possession charges following an RCMP bust of a residence in July.
On July 20, RCMP searched a residence on Fairway Avenue where cocaine, methamphetamine, money and bear spray were seized. Police charged Ellison and Krista Rix, 26, of Red Deer.
Court heard that Rix will probably have to get a new lawyer because Thomas Lloyd of Edmonton intends to withdraw from defending her because of a possible conflict.
Lloyd remains Ellison’s lawyer on the drug matters.
Ellison, who is in custody, is represented by Red Deer lawyer Rod MacGregor on the stolen property conviction.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com