A Red Deer man arrested on charges of using counterfeit U.S. currency in the Bow Valley may spend up to a year in jail before his charges are heard at trial.
Jesse Strongeagle-Geddes appeared in Canmore Provincial Court in March on charges of making and uttering counterfeit money, as well as charges of failing to comply with release conditions related to other criminal charges he is facing in another jurisdiction.
The 22-year-old appeared by CCTV and his lawyer, Dale Fedorchuk, entered a plea of not guilty to all charges for him and elected to go to trial by judge and jury at the court of Queen’s Bench.
Because the charges are serious and indictable under the criminal code, before a trial can proceed a preliminary inquiry is required. Fedorchuk said the first available date for that inquiry is Dec. 15.
Judge B.H. Fraser noted that Strongeagle-Geddes was denied bail by a justice of the peace when Canmore RCMP arrested him and the accused is also facing multiple weapons and drug charges after being arrested by Sylvan Lake RCMP earlier this year.
A recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling, however, has been placing pressure on the Crown and courts to deal with charges against people in a more timely manner. The Jordan decision changed how the court is to consider what a reasonable time for trial means.
Fraser told the Crown and defence in Canmore that he is concerned about how Jordan will apply to Strongeagle-Geddes and that the proceedings may have to be moved into Calgary courts to be heard in a timely manner.
The defence could also apply for a bail review at Court of Queen’s Bench, however, if Strongeagle-Geddes was denied release because of his outstanding charges in Sylvan Lake, he could remain in custody on those matters even if he is released on the Canmore charges.
The Canmore charges stem from reports from multiple business owners at the end of February that counterfeit $20 and $50 U.S. bills had been used.
According to a Canmore RCMP press release, after an investigation identified a suspect, they arrested him while he was still alleged to be in possession of counterfeit currency.
