18-Month Sentence For Weapon Charges

A photo released by city police following the arrest of Tyler Figley in 2022. (Photo MHPS)

A 41-year-old man facing charges related to possession of a sawed-off rifle entered a guilty plea at the first day of his trial at Medicine Hat Court of King’s Bench Thursday.

Tyler John Figley was a passenger in the car pulled over during a traffic stop on March 19, 2022 and was initially arrested for breach of a community sentence order for not possessing documentation of his release conditions.

Mugshot of Tyler Figley issued by Swift Current RCMP for outstanding charges in that jurisdiction. (Photo RCMP)

Figley, who has a lengthy history of police interactions in southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan, had been subject to a 10-year firearms prohibition from a previous offence.

A search of the vehicle following the man’s arrest found a sawed-off Savage Model 7 .22 caliber rifle under the passenger-side seat.

City police reported at the time a hockey goalie mask and collapsible baton were also recovered from the vehicle.

The court heard there were Charter issues related to the search of the vehicle which was initiated due to brake lights not functioning as well as Figley not wearing a seatbelt.

While the Crown acknowledged what would likely be considered a Charter issue regarding the search, she maintained it likely wouldn’t have led to the exclusion of the evidence.

However, it was a factor in agreeing to Figley’s joint-sentence submission of 18-months custody.

Given credit for pre-trial custody, his sentence is considered time served.

He was also handed a lifetime weapons prohibition.