A multi-jurisdictional police investigation resulted in a former Cranbrook resident being sentenced to six years in prison.
On Jan. 15, 2025, Steven Laverne Plaskett, 44, was sentenced to a global sentence of six years, along with other ancillary orders. On Aug. 6, 2024, he pleaded guilty in Supreme Court to three charges including Extortion, Uttering Threats and Criminal Harassment. BC RCMP say he was from Saskatchewan.
In December of 2020, Cranbrook RCMP, Columbia Valley RCMP and the Elk Valley RCMP detachments began separate investigations into allegations of extortion and threats through a social media platform. During the preliminary stages of each of those criminal investigations it was noted that there were several files linked to the same usernames.
“RCMP in the Kootenay region noted the links early on, then combined its information and resources to undertake this complex investigation,
” said Reserve Constable Katie Forgeron, Media Relations Officer for the Cranbrook RCMP. After months of interjurisdictional investigation, a man was taken into police custody. He was later released on rigorous conditions pending his first appearance in court.
“Cranbrook RCMP, Columbia Valley RCMP and Elk Valley RCMP worked tirelessly in their efforts to investigate this individual and to bring him before the courts,
” says R/Cst. Forgeron. “We’re grateful for those affected coming forward and providing evidence resulting in a successful prosecution.
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