Prince Albert Provincial Court. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwel

Court proceedings

Man found with stockpile of weapons, suffering from paranoia: court

Jul 21, 2021 | 5:00 PM

A man found in possession of numerous guns, ammunition and materials that can be used to make explosives was suffering from paranoia according to evidence heard Wednesday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court..

Joseph Michael Maggrah, 35, received a 16-month jail sentence after entering guilty pleas to a number of weapons related charges. Due to the fact he has been in custody since the incident last August, the sentence works out to time served and he will be released.

On the afternoon of Aug. 25, 2020, Prince Albert Police were called to an address in the city’s Crescent Heights neighbourhood to assist with an eviction.

Upon arrival, members located several improperly stored firearms and a search of the residence was conducted. Upon further investigation, members located three shotguns, two semi-automatic rifles, and one handgun, along with more than 30 loaded magazines, three additional boxes of ammunition and gunpowder. The search also revealed a tactical vest and evidence of supplies related to explosives including a roll of fuse wire.

Crown Lawyer Doug Howell indicated there was no evidence to show Maggrah planned to use any of the weapons, or had made any threats, but was instead stockpiling them to protect himself.

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Maggrah, who was previously employed as both a correctional officer and a truck driver, has been in custody since the arrest, and according to his lawyer Gordon Kirkby spent most of the time at Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford receiving treatment for his mental health issues.

Kirkby noted Maggrah had come a long way since the fall, adding Maggrah’s mother, who was also in court for Wednesday’s hearing, indicated to him her conversations with her son were like night and day. Accepting the joint submission presented, Judge Healey told Maggrah he was very fortunate to have such a great support system in place.

“It was concerning but it was concerning for unique reasons; mostly for mental health,” he explained.

Upon his release from custody, Maggrah will be on probation for three years and must abide by a number of conditions, including a curfew, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, and, most importantly, continue his treatment. He will also be prohibited from owning or possessing any guns for 15 years.

“This may seem like a difficult day, but in some ways, it’s a fresh start,” Healey told Maggrah.

When given the opportunity to speak in court, Maggrah apologized for his crimes and promised to continue working on his mental health.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell