Sharbot Lake Criminal Court – Fraud case deferred again

Gypse Villa, 58, and Jessica Villa, 38, are facing two counts each of fraud over $5,000. It is alleged that the two defrauded a local man of upwards of $80,000. Jessica Villa worked a special assistant to former Newfoundland Labrador MP Judy Foote until last fall.

In a press release last November, The OPP alleged that the couple “committed the frauds by utilizing alleged political connections to influence, engage and establish trust with the victims. The VILLAS' would pose as persons with positions of high authority in order to defraud victims of large amounts of cash.”

Neither the Villas’, nor their lawyer have appeared in person when this matter has come to the Sharbot Lake Court over the last three months, and they were not in attendance this week either. There was a message sent through other lawyers each time, always asking for an extension. That was the case again on Monday, and the case will return once again on March 5.

Sentenced

Justin Whan, 35, pled guilty to assault in December, and was sentenced to a 90 day conditional sentence, including 30 days of house arrest, with a number of exceptions. He will also be on probation for a year

Withdrawn - A charge of Obstructing a Police Officer against Sue Vinkle, 38, was withdrawn at the request of the Crown, Ms. Vinkle completed 50 hours of community service as means of diverting the charge.

Transfer for trial – Christopher Leger, 53, will have his case heard by Judge Griffin in Napanee on June 19th. The case was originally going to be dealt with in Sharbot Lake in April, but there will likely be a requirement for closed circuit tv services during the trial, and that is not available in Sharbot Lake. Instead of the normal practice in such cases, a transfer to Kingston, it will go to Napanee because the delay by sending it to Kingston would be much longer. It is expected to be a one day trial.

First appearance, Shawn Macneal,40, is facing two counts of assulat. He will return on April 16th.

Deferred

Mallary Kehoe, 27, charged with theft of a vehicle, possessing stolen property, Break and Enter, Failure to comply with court ordered conditions, and four counts of driving while under suspension. She is currently in custody on other matters, and is expected to be in court in Sharbot Lake on March 5th.

Randall Kirkwood, 63, is facing one cout of dirving with blood alcohol over 80 mg/100ml of blood and one count of open liquior in a vehicle. He will return on March 5.