LLOYDMINSTER – A man facing numerous weapons-related offences who was arrested the moment he stepped outside of the courtroom April 11 was released from custody Thursday.
A show cause hearing scheduled for 37-year-old Nathan O’Brien didn’t proceed April 14 as scheduled, and instead, the court heard that the Crown agreed to release him from custody on no cash bail without a show cause hearing.
O’Brien was first released on bail March 31 but arrested again April 11 at the Lloydminster courthouse for allegedly violating his release conditions on April 10 and 11.
On April 12, the Lloydminster, Alta., RCMP issued a media release saying that Nathan O'Brien of Lloydminster, Sask., was arrested following an investigation into firearms trafficking. They said that on Feb. 26 they executed a search warrant at two Lloydminster homes and allegedly found several firearms and ammunition stored unsafely inside. O'Brien was arrested March 30 and granted bail the next day.
O’Brien then appeared in court as scheduled April 11 and told the court he needed time to get a lawyer. The judge adjourned the matter until May 9. Then after he left the courtroom he was arrested about two steps outside the door, in the foyer. Later that day, O’Brien tried having a bail hearing in court and told the court that he owned the house in Lloydminster that RCMP raided.
According to court documents, Lloydminster RCMP charged O’Brien for firearms offences on Feb. 26, as well as offences dating back to 2020. He is charged with, on Feb. 26, storing a handgun in a careless manner, storing a shotgun in a careless manner, storing ammunition in a careless manner, possession of a restricted firearm with readily accessible ammunition capable of being discharged and no license to possess the restricted firearm.
He is also charged with having a firearms license for a handgun, but on Feb. 26, in the 4400 block of 32 Street in Lloydminster, Sask., had the handgun at a place he wasn't permitted.
Court documents also show that between Dec. 1, 2020, and January 17, 2022, in Lloydminster, Sask., he allegedly transferred a handgun knowing that he wasn’t authorized to do so, and having lost or had stolen from his possession a handgun and failed to report the loss to the police, and firearms officer or chief firearms officer.
Waseca and Lloydminster raids
On March 2, the Saskatchewan RCMP issued a media release saying that they raided three places on Feb. 26 – two in Lloydminster and one in Waseca. Police said that in October 2021, the Battleford RCMP Gang Task Force began an investigation into drug and weapons trafficking in west-central Saskatchewan, which led to the three search warrants.
Police said they seized nine firearms, multiple prohibited weapons, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, hard body armour, about four ounces of cocaine, four ounces of methamphetamine, 250 ml of GHB, and two stolen vehicles.
The Saskatchewan RCMP said Laquita Angus, 25, and Delaney Angus, 18, both of Lloydminster, were arrested as a result of the search warrants executed in Lloydminster.
Saskatchewan RCMP also said that as a result of the search warrant in Waseca, three people were arrested including Odell Angus, 20, who was wanted on warrants from Turtleford RCMP. He was charged with breaching release conditions. Police said the Gang Task Force investigation was ongoing and they weren’t releasing further information, including the name of the other two individuals arrested.
After police executed the search warrant at the commercial building in Waseca at 11:45 p.m. Feb. 26, Trent Angus was shot and killed by RCMP Feb. 27. A Saskatchewan RCMP officer was also struck in the head by a bullet. The officer - a member who works in the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Police Dog Services unit - was treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
O’Brien’s bail conditions
O’Brien – who appeared in court April 14 by telephone from the correctional centre – was released from custody without a bail hearing.
He was ordered to reside in Lloydminster, Sask., and given a curfew from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
In addition, O’Brien was ordered not to have any contact with Delaney Angus, Laquita Angus, and five others.
