Fentanyl dealer goes to prison

SIMCOE — A Norfolk County drug dealer, who temporarily cleaned up his life, was returned to penitentiary after pleading guilty to trafficking in fentanyl.

On Nov. 13, 2017, James Edward Close, 57, ran from police when they stopped the vehicle he was in but he was quickly arrested. Police recovered items Close threw away as he ran. Police found an estimated 10 grams of fentanyl, which they said had a street value of $4,000, and $80 in cash.

Fentanyl, an oft-deadly drug that’s one hundred times more powerful than heroin, is at the centre of ongoing public-health concerns nationwide.

Justice Aubrey Hilliard heard how Norfolk provincial police stopped the vehicle because it had been reported stolen. They arrested two other men and a woman, along with Close.

Close, who grew up around Hamilton, was in prison early in his life but dedicated himself to taking courses through Queen’s University. Once released, he married and successfully operated a business renovating antique furniture.

He divorced and then married again in 2013.

But, in 2015, his wife died in his arms after suffering through lung cancer and “his life fell apart,” said defence lawyer James Battin.

Close then got drawn into the drug culture, said Battin.

Federal Crown prosecutor Jamie Perriera said he and Battin had “extensive resolution discussions” about the case.

“You can see Close has a significant criminal record,” said Perriera. “And any convictions for the possession of fentanyl for trafficking – even smaller amounts – are attracting penitentiary sentences.”

The Crown and defence agreed on a joint sentencing submission of the equivalent to 4 1/2 years in custody because Close had pleaded guilty before the case got to the point of a preliminary inquiry.

Close had already been in jail for the equivalent of almost 22 months at his sentencing.

The judge said Close should go to prison for another 32 months.

“Although Mr. Close has a criminal record, there has been some break,” Hilliard said.

“His last conviction was in 2009 in Hamilton and the last drug conviction was in 2007. So, it does appear the passing of his wife in tragic circumstances put him back on a path that brought him before the courts today.”

The judge urged Close to use his prison time wisely and to get grief counselling.

She also ordered that Close not own or use weapons for the rest of his life and submit a sample of his DNA for the national offenders registry.

Several of Close’s co-accused have also been dealt with in court.

Kristopher Darren Oakes, 28, of Norfolk, who was driving the stolen vehicle, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and breach of probation. He was sentenced last December to 40 days of time already served.

Max Holstein, 28, of Norfolk, pleaded guilty in February to taking a vehicle without permission and was given a suspended sentence.

Heather Ann Rowbottom, 39, of Tillsonburg, also charged with trafficking in fentanyl and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, is continuing through the court system.

SGamble@postmedia.com

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