Gang-related trial pending

Photo: CFSEU

A trial date is still pending for an alleged longtime member of the Independent Soldiers gang and his girlfriend.

Lake Country's Donahugh Fredrick McWhirter, 44, and his girlfriend, Brittany Marie Stinn, 26, were arrested last January following a lengthy RCMP investigation.

The pair appeared in Kelowna B.C. Supreme Court today and are expected back in court May 2 to set a date for trial.

Both were arrested in connection with firearms and drug-related offences on Jan. 29 by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C.

Last year RCMP said the investigation began in early 2014 when the CFSEU received information a Kelowna-based Independent Soldier was recruiting new members for a planned resurgence of the gang.

"An investigation began with the goal of both targeting this veteran IS member's alleged criminal activity, which was reported to include drug, violence and weapon-related offences, and disrupt the possible resurgence of the IS in the Okanagan," the special enforcement unit said in a news release.

"As the investigation continued into the fall of 2014, evidence was gathered that continued to support allegations the suspect, along with his girlfriend, was involved in illegal activity."

McWhirter faces 10 charges including multiple counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

Stinn is now before the courts on five charges, including two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and three counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm.