TEARFUL DRUG DEALER AVOIDS JAIL

A repeat drug dealer tearfully pleaded with Justice William Fitzgerald for
his freedom at the Sudbury courthouse on Wednesday.

The judge sentenced Daniel Leblanc, 24, to an 18-month conditional sentence
of house arrest after giving him a stern lecture. He is only to leave his
residence for work or exceptional circumstances approved by his probation
officer.

Court heard Leblanc was caught with a large amount of marijuana - 654 grams
with a street value of about $2,800 - after being pulled over by police
around 2 am March 31, 2004. He proceeded to lie to police, giving officers
two false names before giving his real name.

Fitzgerald asked Leblanc, "are you going to remember this the next time
you're dealing drugs."

With tears pouring down his face, Leblanc replied, "There won't be a next
time."

Leblanc was given an extra 18 months of probation, where he must continue
to access any counselling as recommended by his probation officer.

During the next 36 months, he's under court orders to not touch any illicit
drugs.

Since his arrest in 2004, Leblanc has completed a hard rock mining course
and is working full-time on an apprenticeship with the prospects of a
permanent job, said defence counsel Robert Brouillette.

Fitzgerald made it very clear to Leblanc that he would be facing a long
stint in a penitentiary if he's ever caught trafficking drugs again.

Leblanc was convicted twice in 2002 with drug trafficking. Considering this
was his third trafficking conviction, a jail sentence of nine months was
the absolute minimum the court should consider, said federal Crown
prosecutor Robert Topp.

"Let's face the facts here...this gentleman has had break after break after
break...and he's not a candidate for a conditional sentence at all," said
Topp. "At some point in time, people have to come to terms with their
criminality...he's a commercial drug trafficker...and to send him out into
the community would make a laughingstock of our justice system."

Before Fitzgerald made his final decision, Leblanc broke down and told the
court he's quit using drugs and broken off all ties with people who do.

He also thanked his wife for her support. "I assure you will never see me
in this court again if you give me a chance to prove you can trust me," he
said.

Fitzgerald said he's seen many people facing serious jail time plead for
mercy, but it was his job to impose a fair sentence which protects the
safety of the community.

Lying to police after getting caught once again with a large cache of drugs
is a very serious matter that cries out for a harsh punishment, said
Fitzgerald.

"Are you going to stop messing up your life and the life of others?" he asked.

Leblanc again assured him he would, saying he's quit using drugs "which put
my life in the gutter."

"We'll be watching you," said Fitzgerald.