CARLYLE – Austin Jonathan Ross, a Yorkton man who has 25 charges before the courts, was denied bail during a show-cause hearing on April 9 in Carlyle Provincial Court.
Judge Mitch Miller handed down his ruling following a lengthy hearing. Federal and provincial prosecutors gave their reasoning for why Ross should remain in custody, while Ross' Legal Aid attorney countered with why Ross should be released with conditions.
Ross will make a video appearance in Carlyle on April 23.
Background: According to a news release from the Saskatchewan RCMP, on March 6 at approximately 4:30 p.m., a Saskatchewan RCMP officer with the Weyburn Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) was conducting proactive patrols on Highway 9 near Carlyle.
The officer observed a speeding vehicle and performed a traffic stop. The RCMP said the officer noted the driver smelled of cannabis and administered roadside tests, which, according to the RCMP, determined Ross had consumed cannabis and cocaine before driving. Ross began acting erratically and the officer requested back-up from nearby CTSS officers.
Ross then allegedly attempted to flee on foot and resisted officers while he was being arrested. The RCMP said Ross attempted to bite and disarm one officer. The officers were not seriously injured.
As a result of the continued investigation, the RCMP said officers located a loaded handgun, a 3D-printed semi-automatic rifle, and approximately 133 grams of crack cocaine, 36 grams of psilocybin, 23 grams of illicit cannabis, 50 grams of cannabis shatter, pocket knives and trafficking paraphernalia.
Ross was charged with three counts of possessing a weapon contrary to an order. He is also charged with two counts each of assaulting a police officer, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, unsafe storage of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and unlicensed possession of a restricted/prohibited weapon with ammunition.
Ross is also facing one count each of disarming a police officer, trafficking cocaine, drug trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, operation of a conveyance while impaired by drug, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm when knowing possession is unauthorized, and possession of a weapon obtained by crime.
He was also arrested for breaching a conditional sentence order.
Ross has made multiple court appearances since his arrest. None of the charges have been proven in court.
