LLOYDMINSTER — A judicial bench warrant has been issued for a Lloydminster man after he failed to appear in court, months after the Crown stayed separate charges he was previously wanted for.
Dakota Whitstone, 32, was arrested by Lloydminster Alberta RCMP on the Saskatchewan side of the border city on Oct. 19. He is charged with carrying a weapon for a dangerous purpose (baton), carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of methamphetamine.
He was scheduled to appear in Lloydminster Saskatchewan Provincial Court on Nov. 24. The Crown stayed the methamphetamine charge that day. But a bench warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to appear in court.
On Oct. 9, the Crown stayed another set of charges against Whitstone. Those charges, stemming from a June incident in Lloydminster, Sask., were break and enter with intent to commit an indictable act and two counts of failing to comply with a court order.
A stay of proceedings puts charges on hold. The Crown has one year to reactivate the case but isn’t required to provide a reason for the stay.
In September, Alberta RCMP issued a public warning and a warrant for Whitstone’s arrest related to the June charges, which were later stayed.
Parole Board of Canada documents show Whitstone was released from prison on a legislated statutory release in July 2022. His statutory release was revoked in December 2022 before he was released on his next legislated statutory release. He is currently subject to a weapons prohibition.
ljoy@sasktoday.ca
