SASKATOON –Brent Habetler avoided Criminal Code firearms convictions after pleading guilty to violations under the Saskatchewan Firearms Act in a June 24 plea deal in Saskatoon Provincial Court.
Crown prosecutor Christina Abbott withdrew all criminal firearm charges against Habetler, who instead admitted to two Saskatchewan Firearms Act infractions. The charges stemmed from an October 2024 raid involving more than 40 police officers across three of Habetler’s properties.
Habtler was arrested on Oct. 16, 2024, following a Maidstone RCMP investigation into an Aug. 27, 2024, incident at Sandy Beach Regional Park, where he allegedly spoke to a young child. This violated a peace bond issued in November 2023 by the Lloydminster Alberta Court of Justice, which banned him from playgrounds, pools, day cares, and schools for one year .
The peace bond resolved an earlier case tied to an incident at a Lloydminster, Alta., swimming pool. Charges from that case were stayed after Habetler agreed to the bond, avoiding a scheduled January 2024 trial. The October 2024 breach charge for being near a playground was later stayed in Lloydminster court.
The police raids and firearms discoveries
After the August 2024 incident at Sandy Beach Regional Park, RCMP executed three search warrants of properties owned by Habetler. Court heard police were looking for coloured shorts, a grey T-shirt, a beach mat, a light blue-green hat, and older sunglasses.
The first search warrant was at a camper trailer and sea can at a residence in Tway, Sask. The second search warrant was at a home, an out building, and a vehicle in the R. M. of Britannia. The third search warrant was executed at Habetler’s home, outbuildings and vehicle in Radisson.
When officers arrived at his Radisson home, they breached the door after receiving no response. Inside, they found Habetler and his wife, Maria, in the living room. Maria was detained, while Habetler was arrested, and they were taken to the police station.
At Habetler’s home, Abbott said police did find several clothing items that matched the description they were provided.
But police also found loaded firearms scattered throughout the house and a vehicle, which weren’t stored in accordance with firearms regulations. Officers seized multiple firearms stored unsafely, including a loaded firearm with a scope found behind a chair in the living room, as well as 10 boxes of ammunition, and bullets inside of a camouflaged backpack. In Habetler’s bedroom they found ammunition. In his step-son’s bedroom they found a loaded shotgun as well as a .22 rifle in the closet with a clip inside. A single shot rifle was found inside a gun bag. In a truck, police found a loaded riffle with a scope, an airsoft handgun, and several boxes of ammunition.
Court heard that Habetler’s wife Maria has her firearms license but he doesn’t.
Joint submission and sentencing
Abbott said Habetler does have a criminal record, including a 2006 indecent act conviction, a 2008 public mischief conviction, and a 2015 disturbance conviction, but said he doesn’t have any prior firearms offences.
The Crown argued a fine, rather than Criminal Code penalties, was appropriate given the circumstances.
“Some 40 plus officers were involved,” said Abbott. “So the resolution you see has saved an enormous amount of court time.”
Defence lawyer Samantha Labahn called the plea deal a “true joint submission,” avoiding lengthy litigation, including a potential Charter challenge over the search’s legality.
Labahn said Habetler has faced financial and personal hardships, citing lost income, community harassment, and protests at his home.
“Mr. Habetler has already bought and paid for these charges in large part,” said Labahn.
Judge Bradley Shane Mitchell agreed that Habetler had suffered enough as a result of the backlash to the charges from media and social media attention.
Mitchell agreed that a trial would have required a week of testimony from dozens of officers. Given Habetler’s limited criminal record and the resolution, he ruled the $6,000 fine, plus a $2,000 victim surcharge, was sufficient.
“I’m well aware of the various moving parts to this particular matter and the fact there were significant issues that were going to be explored at the trial,” said Mitchell.
“What is being proposed in the circumstances, based on Mr. Habetler’s limited criminal record, and what he has admitted, is appropriate and would not bring the administration of justice into disrepute.”
Legally changed name
Habetler legally changed his name to add the prefix “Sir” and his wife, Maria, legally changed her name to add the prefix “Lady.”
Bermuda conviction
In April 2024, a Bermuda court convicted Habetler of assault and indecent exposure involving a young girl. He was charged with masturbating at a public pool in front of her and assaulting an adult male. Habetler received 10 weeks’ jail and a $500 fine but fled to Canada before being sentenced in absentia
