Pubdate: Sat, 19 Apr 2008
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Louise Dickson, Times Colonist
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

EX-SAILOR SPARED JAIL FOR OFF-DUTY COCAINE USE

Christopher Carlson, a former HMCS Saskatoon petty officer, has been
spared a jail sentence for off-duty cocaine use.

But Carlson's military record will mention misconduct and indicate he
was dismissed with dishonour from Her Majesty's Service, military
judge Col. Mario Dutil said yesterday at the conclusion of Carlson's
court martial.

Carlson's rank at the time of his dismissal was also been reduced to
leading seaman. He is required to pay a $2,000 fine by the end of the
year.

Carlson pleaded guilty under the National Defence Act to conduct
prejudicial to good order and discipline in relation to the off-duty
use of cocaine. He admitted he used cocaine on his days off between
Nov. 15, 2005, and Jan. 21, 2006. He knew two of his subordinates were
using cocaine and did not report it to his superiors.

"Ex-petty officer Carlson has betrayed the trust invested in him by
the Canadian Forces, the chain of command and every subordinate aboard
HMCS Saskatoon," said Dutil.

"This case is a prime example of blatant disregard for the Canadian
Forces' drug policy. It's also an absolute abdication by a senior
non-commissioned officer in the highest position of his role and
responsibility for maintaining discipline in his unit," said the judge.

Carlson's lawyer, Robert Mulligan, said his client was relieved he was
not imprisoned "but the consequences of the conviction and the
sentence will continue for a lifetime."

The demotion in rank is not a minor consideration for anyone who has
pride in their performance, said Mulligan. And Carlson, as a top
sailor, had that pride and earned that recognition. The demotion
affects a person's self-esteem and reputation in the community.

Four crew members of Saskatoon were charged after an undercover sting
targeted the coastal defence vessel in early 2006. A female undercover
officer posing as a clerk was planted in Carlson's work area on the
Saskatoon. She remained with the crew during a weekend stay in
Vancouver and later reported to authorities that some crew members
used cocaine while off duty.

Carlson was originally char-ged with one count of trafficking, but
that charge was dropped.

Mitigating circumstances in the case are Carlson's guilty plea and his
apology which shows genuine remorse, said Dutil. Carlson, who was a
reservist from 1994 to 2007, was a positive asset to the Canadian
Forces, Dutil added.

Aside from Carlson, three other crew members were convicted and
released from the military. Jason Ennis was found guilty of drug use
and fined $2,000 in August. Sonya Robert, a 27-year-old cook, was
fined $500 and handed a 30-day suspended sentence in April after she
sold half a gram of cocaine to an undercover military officer in
January 2006.

Brenda Murley, a 28-year-old deckhand, pleaded guilty to trafficking
charges in February. She was fined $500 and given a 15-day suspended
sentence. 
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