HOCKEY DAD JAILED OVER DRUGS

Pleads Guilty To Coke, Meth Trafficking
Sentenced To Six Years, Fined $33,500

HE was a hockey dad who appeared to lead a quiet suburban life, but
yesterday Marvin Jack Thomas became the first major player sentenced
in a drug sting that saw 13 people arrested, including several Hells
Angels and associates.

Thomas, 47, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty
to selling five ounces of cocaine and a kilogram of methamphetamine to
an undercover civilian agent. He was also fined $33,500.

"I apologize to you (the judge), the courts and society for having
anything to do with these poisons," an emotional Thomas told the
court. "This has been a nightmare for me."

The sentence was a joint recommendation by defence and Crown. Thomas
was given a one-year credit for time served.

Judge Deborah McCawley said she felt like weeping when reading a
background report on Thomas. "It's obvious to me you are a good person
in a number of ways," said the judge.

Thomas and the others were arrested in February after a 15-month
covert operation. Five people have already pleaded guilty, receiving
sentences in the range of four to six years. They, however, are
considered by the Crown to be lower-level drug dealers and couriers.
According to police, Thomas was in the upper echelons along with Ernie
Dew, president of the Manitoba chapter of the Hells Angels, who was
also charged in the sweep.

Thomas is not a member of the Hells Angels or affiliated with the
gang.

In fact, the Crown said outwardly he didn't appear to have any ties to
the underworld. Thomas lived in a large Garden City bungalow with his
common-law wife, with whom he had been for 24 years, and their
14-year-old son. He coached minor hockey and, according to Crown
attorney Chris Mainella, came off as a "soft-spoken
suburbanite".

"The reality is that he is a professional drug dealer," said
Mainella.

Court was told his income, according to tax returns he filed, ranged
between $20,000 and $40,000 over the last several years. Yet the Crown
said he had a luxurious lifestyle. There was a swimming pool, a
country home and six cars. The Crown noted that Thomas' wife was going
to school and didn't work. When police searched his home they found
$18,500 stashed in the basement rafters.

Court was told that Thomas had known the undercover agent for about 15
years. Thomas ended up making two sales to the agent in November 2004,
worth $33,500.

Defence lawyer Sheldon Pinx pointed out that it was the first time his
client ever sold a kilogram of crystal meth, a highly addictive drug.
He said Thomas had been relentlessly pursued by the agent to make a
deal.

Pinx took issue with claims that Thomas led a life of crime. The
defence lawyer said over the years Thomas, who has a Grade 10
education, held many jobs, from landscaping to construction. Pinx
noted that Thomas has a minimal criminal record. There are three
drug-possession convictions but the most recent dates back to 1984.
Thomas received fines in each case.