RCMP charge 23 after lobster pound ransacked last fall in southwest N.S.

Charges have been laid against 23 people in connection with an incident last year at a lobster pound in Middle West Pubnico, N.S.

On Oct. 13, 2020,amob descended on theYarmouth County lobster pound, forcingMi'kmaw fisherman Jason Marrto barricade himself inside.

His vehicle was vandalized and hundreds of lobsters from the pound were scatteredon the pavement outside.

Four days later, on Oct. 17, the pound was destroyed in a fire the RCMP described as suspicious. The blaze remains under investigation.

The incidents occurredduring weeks of unrest in the province's southwest, sparked by the launch of a moderate livelihoodlobster fishery by the Sipekne'katik band outside the federally mandated commercial season.

Sipekne'katik Chief Mike Sack said he'spleased people were being held accountable, but questioned why more people weren't charged.

"There werehundreds of people at those incidents and only [23]are being charged at a time, so I think there's still another 150 people that should be held accountable for their actions as well," he said.

He described the types of charges as "minimal" and a "slap on the wrist."

Investigation continues

There have been calls for theRCMP to investigate the Oct. 13incidentas a hate crime.

Sgt. Andrew Joyce, a spokesperson for the force, told CBC News "that avenue would be explored," but he had not been informed of any evidence or charges to that effect.

Joyce also said additional charges could be laid if more information comes to light that identifies other individuals.

The 23 people charged are from Yarmouth and Shelburnecounties. Court appearances have been scheduled for March 29in Yarmouth provincial court.

The people charged with break and enter have been identified as:

• Devin Edward Belong, 26, Shelburne County.
• Leslie Edward Belong, 29, Shelburne County.
• Roderick Bruce Conrad,53, Shelburne County.
• James Alfred D'Entremont, 55, Yarmouth County.
• Marcel Renald D'Entremont, 29, Yarmouth County.
• Kevin Paul D'eon, 41, Yarmouth County.
• Kevin Mark Donaldson, 51, Yarmouth County.
• Christopher Howard Goreham, 40, Shelburne County.
• Curtis Leigh Conrad Goreham, 36, Shelburne County.
• Josh Andrew Larkin, 27, Yarmouth County.
• Shawn Joseph Muise, 46, Yarmouth County.
• Travis Nickerson, 27, Yarmouth County.
• Sterling Scott Penney, 49, Shelburne County.
• Troy Warren Irvin Penney, 43, Yarmouth County.
• Jered Owen Scott, 22, Shelburne County.

The people chargedwith mischief and break and enter have been identified as:

• Tyler Leslie Belong, 28, Shelburne County.
• Samuel Spencer Corning, 27, Yarmouth County.
• Blair Daniel Dentremont, 46, Yarmouth County.
• Charles Richard Hines, 50, Shelburne County.
• Sean Roy Messenger, 28, Yarmouth County.
• Michael Pearle Nickerson, 66, Yarmouth County.
• Gordon Malcolm Stoddard, 57, Shelburne County.
• Merle Kevin Swaine, 65, Shelburne County.

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