On Wednesday, February 18, 2020, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Battlefords Gang Task Force attempted to stop a vehicle in the city of North Battleford. The vehicle failed to stop for police and a pursuit was not initiated by the members. Police on patrol later located the same vehicle sitting stationary. The vehicle was prevented from leaving and one male and three females were arrested. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of two firearms, methamphetamine and cash from the vehicle.
Jordan Grant Waskewitch, 29 years old of Alberta, is charged with 23 Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act offences, some of which are:
- possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking,
- flight from police,
- dangerous driving,
- multiple breaches of court orders,
- fail to comply with a breath demand,
- multiple charges in relation to the possession of two prohibited firearms.
Cherise Teichroeb, 32 years old of Alberta, is charged with the following Criminal Code charges:
- obstruction of a peace officer,
- possession of a prohibited firearm in a motor vehicle,
- possession of a prohibited firearm knowing possession is unauthorized.
Naomi Soosay, 25 years old of Alberta, is charged with the following Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charges:
- possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking,
- possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking,
- possession of property obtained by crime,
- possession of a prohibited firearm in a motor vehicle,
- possession of a prohibited firearm knowing possession is unauthorized.
On February 25, 2020, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Battlefords Gang Task Force stopped a vehicle in the city of North Battleford. The driver was found to be operating a motor vehicle while impaired. A passenger in the vehicle had multiple outstanding warrants. The passenger was arrested and was found with a loaded firearm in his possession.
Jamie Lynn Musqua, 37 years old of North Battleford, SK, was charged with the following Criminal Code charges:
- operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol,
- operation of a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content over 80 mg%
A male youth from North Battleford, SK, was charged with the following 9 Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charges:
- resisting arrest,
- obstruction of a peace officer,
- possession of methamphetamine,
- 6 firearms related charges.
On February 27, 2020, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Battlefords Gang Task Force stopped a vehicle in the city of North Battleford. The driver was suspended from driving and open alcohol was located in the vehicle. There was also 2 female passengers in the vehicle that were arrested. Further investigation led to the seizure of a prohibited firearm from the vehicle.
Marcus Baptiste, 22 years old of North Battleford, SK, is charged with the following Traffic Safety Act and Criminal Code charges:
- driving while suspended,
- unsafe storage of a firearm,
- possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose,
- carrying a concealed weapon,
- possession of a prohibited firearm in a motor vehicle,
- possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle ,
- possession of a weapon obtained by crime,
- weapons possession for trafficking,
- possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number.
Neisha Baptiste, 23 years old of North Battleford, SK, is charged with the following Criminal Code charges:
- unsafe storage of a firearm,
- possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose,
- carrying a concealed weapon,
- possession of a prohibited firearm in a motor vehicle,
- possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle,
- possession of a weapon obtained by crime,
- weapons possession for trafficking,
- possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number.
Josie Diamond, 20 years old of the Red Pheasant First Nation, SK, is charged with the following Criminal Code charges:
- unsafe storage of a firearm,
- possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose,
- carrying a concealed weapon,
- possession of a prohibited firearm in a motor vehicle,
- possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle,
- possession of a weapon obtained by crime,
- weapons possession for trafficking,
- possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number.
The Battlefords Task Force was created in response to the significant increase in gun crime and violence occurring in the Battlefords area at the end of 2019. The Task Force has already made hundreds of arrests and is regularly pulling guns and drugs off the streets in the Battlefords area. Only one drive-by shooting has occurred since its creation in November 2019.