20-Year Old Associated With the Crew Sentenced

By 250 News

This morning, twenty year old Matthew Garfield was sentenced on two charges of extortion relating to the sale and distribution of cocaine at residential crack houses in Prince George.

Mr. Justice Glen Parrett sentenced Garfield to two years imprisonment on the first charge of extortion, and 14 months on the second charge, to be served consecutively to the first sentence. Justice Parrett said he had taken into account that Garfield had already spent 258 days in jail.

Justice Parrett said evidence presented in the trial confirmed the existence of an organized group known as the Crew. Justice Parrett said the group had a hierarchical system for distributing and selling cocaine locally, and had set up addicts as sellers in crack houses.

Those at the top level used an atmosphere of intimidation and violence in order to control those at the lower levels. Garfield was present at two violent incidents, and took a video of one, but Justice Parrett said he did not directly engage in the violence.

Lorraine Garfield was present for her son's sentencing and said afterward that she was very disappointed and upset. She had hoped for a lesser sentence and worries how the jail term will affect him. She says Garfield, who is slight and still looks like a teenager, has always been young for his age and that he has never hurt anyone and never would.

During sentencing, Mr. Justice Glenn Parrett did refer to Garfield's youth, lack of prior criminal history, and his cognitive delay assessment, as well as the importance of rehabilitation when sentencing someone so young.

Lorraine Garfield says she has hopes of an appeal, but that may take months and meanwhile her son will remain in jail.

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