Two protesters, Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert, were found guilty of mischief and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose in connection to their roles in a 2022 border blockade near Coutts, Alberta. Olienick was also convicted of possessing a pipe bomb, but both men were acquitted of the most serious charge of conspiracy to murder police officers. However, Justice David Labrenz stated that the men were ready to engage in a shootout with officers and that the jury believed they were willing to “engage in a war with police if it came to that eventuality.” Sentencing for the two men was scheduled for the following day.
The charges against Olienick and Carbert stemmed from the discovery of guns, ammunition, and body armor in trailers near the blockade at the Canada-U.S. border crossing, as well as the finding of more guns, ammunition, and pipe bombs at Olienick’s home in Claresholm, Alberta. The blockade was part of a series of protests across the country against COVID-19 rules and vaccine mandates. Two other protesters at the blockade who were charged with conspiracy to commit murder pleaded guilty to lesser charges earlier in the year, with one receiving a three-year sentence for possession of a restricted firearm and the other receiving a 3 1/2-year sentence for conspiracy to traffic firearms, which equated to time served in pretrial custody.
Justice Labrenz emphasized the seriousness of the charges against Olienick and Carbert, stating that despite them being found not guilty of conspiracy to murder police officers, their possession of weapons for a dangerous purpose indicated a willingness to use force against law enforcement. The discovery of pipe bombs at Olienick’s residence further underscored the potential danger posed by the two men. The sentencing on the following day would determine the appropriate punishment for their actions during the border blockade and the potential threat they posed to law enforcement officers.
The blockade in Coutts, Alberta, was part of a larger movement of protests against COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates in Canada. The presence of weapons and explosives at the blockade heightened concerns about the potential for violence, as evidenced by the charges laid against the protesters involved. The guilty verdicts for Olienick and Carbert on lesser charges still reflected the seriousness of their actions and the potential threat they posed to law enforcement and public safety. The sentencing would serve as a means to address their conduct and ensure accountability for their roles in the border blockade incident.
The sentencing of the two protesters, Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert, following their guilty verdicts for mischief and possessing weapons for a dangerous purpose, would weigh the seriousness of the charges against them and the potential threat they posed during the border blockade in Coutts, Alberta. Justice David Labrenz’s assessment of the case highlighted the willingness of the men to engage in violent confrontations with law enforcement, as demonstrated by the discovery of guns, ammunition, and pipe bombs in their possession. The sentencing would aim to address the consequences of their actions and provide a measure of justice for their involvement in the protest activities that led to their convictions.
