CHARGES READ AGAINST JAIL GUARDS

Three people charged in connection with an alleged drug-smuggling
operation in the Regina jail had their matters heard in court for the
first time on Thursday morning.

Veteran jail guards Larry W. Baragar, 59, and Brent Miles Taylor, 48,
were not present at Regina Provincial Court, with lawyers instead
appearing on behalf of both men and adjourning the matters.

Baragar is charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana for the
purpose of trafficking, as well as possession of the proceeds of
crime. Taylor is not facing drug charges, but is charged with
unauthorized possession of a firearm and unsafe storage of a firearm,
which RCMP have previously linked to the drug investigation.

A co-accused, 43-year-old Laura Mae Reynolds, is charged with five
counts of trafficking involving cannabis resin, morphine, Demerol,
Halcion and Valium. She appeared in court in person without a lawyer,
and requested an adjournment so she can attend an appointment with Legal Aid.

After her appearance, Reynolds ran down the street away from news
reporters without comment.

Another woman, 42-year-old Michelle Anne Braumberger, is charged with
possession of marijuana in relation to the same investigation, and
will appear in court on April 25.

Baragar's next court date is scheduled for May 4, and Reynolds' on
May 19. Taylor's charge was adjourned until April 29, and, at the
request of Taylor's lawyer, the court agreed to remove a travel
restriction that had been part of Taylor's bail conditions.

The charges against the four accused were laid in early March after
an 11-month RCMP investigation and searches of private residences in
Regina, Bethune and Pense.

The RCMP have previously said that more charges or arrests were possible.

Baragar and Taylor are currently on unpaid administrative leave from
the Regina Provincial Correctional Centre.