SOUTHEAST SASKATCHEWAN – A Carnduff man facing numerous charges had his matters heard twice in court in a week.
Zachary Christopher Hillis appeared in Carlyle Provincial Court on April 23 and Estevan Provincial Court on April 28.
During his appearance on April 23, it was noted detailed negotiations have occurred on Hillis' sentence. When the case was discussed on April 28, a request was made for an updated pre-sentencing report from federal prosecutor Kathryn Gilliss.
The case was adjourned to May 14 in Carlyle. Hillis, who remains in custody, is scheduled to appear in person.
Background: Hillis was arrested in October after the Carnduff RCMP received a request for assistance from a rural property northwest of Glen Ewen.
Officers responded and determined a man had assaulted a woman. They located Hillis, who was wanted on a warrant by the Carnduff RCMP for breaching court-ordered release conditions. He was arrested at the scene without incident.
After further investigation, the RCMP says officers located and seized two firearms, ammunition, a pocket knife, approximately two grams of cocaine and drug trafficking paraphernalia from the rural property.
Hillis was initially charged with one count each of unauthorized possession of a firearm, unsafe storage of firearms, assault, uttering threats and possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine). He was also charged with two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and four counts of failing to comply with his release conditions.
He was later charged with being unlawfully in a dwelling and another count of violating his release conditions.
The charges from October 2024 have not been proven in court.
Hillis pleaded guilty earlier this year to two charges, one for possession for the purpose of trafficking and the other for possession of a firearm/prohibited weapon when knowing it was unauthorized, stemming from an arrest in June 2024. A second charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking was stayed.
