Oyama 'bomb' man sentenced

An Oyama man received a fine and a conditional sentence for being in possession of explosive substances in the Lake Country community in 2013.

Photo: Castanet Staff

Staff photo of the bomb squad in the Okanagan.

John Jason Neufeld, 37, was in Kelowna Supreme Court Thursday morning facing one count of making or possessing explosives and three counts of possession of firearms or explosive devices contrary to order.

What was supposed to be the first day of trial turned into a sentencing hearing when crown and defence counsel said that, after lengthy discussions, they had resolved the matter and made a joint submission for sentencing.

Neufeld's earlier not-guilty plea was changed to a guilty plea on the one count of possession of an explosive substance. The other three charges were stayed.

Neufeld was handed a $2,000 fine and a five-month conditional sentence which included a curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the duration of the sentence.

Due to Neufeld's work schedule, house arrest was not part of the sentencing recommendation.

In 2013 Neufeld's now ex-girlfriend notified RCMP that Neufeld was in possession of explosive substances and said he had previously detonated some sort of explosive before. 

Based on that information, an arrest warrant was issued for Alberta which was later expanded to BC. 

On Aug 27, 2013, RCMP performed surveillance on Neufeld at his then residence on Boucherie Road which revealed he was moving his belongings to his mother's residence in Oyama. 

On Aug. 28 Neufeld was arrested on the strength of the warrant as well as being in possession of explosive substances. That same day the RCMP applied for and obtained warrants to search the Boucherie Road and Oyama residences.

During the search of the Oyama residence, RCMP found the following: 

• a modified kitchen timer,
• black smokeless powder,
• model rocket igniters,
• model rocket engines 
• assorted wiring and alligator clips. 

These items fall within the definition of explosive substances under the Criminal Code. All items were legally and locally available from stores in Kelowna.

Police submitted the items for forensic identification and in September of 2013 they found Neufeld's fingerprint on a container of smokeless powder in a box with other items. 

The RCMP bomb disposal unit indicated that these items could be used to make an explosive device, although no actual explosive devices were located. 

"I'm not concerned this man is a person who, given what you've told me, will go out there and start firing off guns here there and everywhere," said Madam Justice Anne Wallace during sentencing.

This was Neufeld's second criminal conviction. In 2004 he was convicted of being in possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.