A 23-year-old Yorkton man is now a fugitive from justice.
Jude Becker, who pleaded guilty September 29, 2016 to cocaine trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, laundering the proceeds of crime and trafficking the proceeds of crime, was scheduled to appear in Yorkton Provincial Court for a sentencing hearing January 3. When he failed to appear that morning, Judge Ross Green granted an adjournment until 1:30 p.m. to give Regina defence attorney Sharon Fox an opportunity to track down her client.
When Becker again failed to appear in the afternoon, Fox told the Court, Becker had every intention of being there and that she feared for the young man’s safety. The judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
Becker was previously convicted of cocaine trafficking in January 2014 and was sentenced to nine months in prison followed by 12 months probation. The current charges stem from an arrest in October 2015.
The federal Crown, represented by Shane Wagner, was seeking significantly more jail time for this second conviction. A second conviction for trafficking in Schedule I drugs carries a mandatory minimum prison term of one year, but indicates 18 months to four years is more in line with Court of Appeals guidelines.
The Yorkton Municipal RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Becker.
Anyone with information about Becker’s location is asked to contact police at 306-786-2400 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers can also be contacted online at saskcrimestoppers.com.
