THUNDER BAY - A southern Ontario man has been sentenced to nine months behind bars for a drug charge dating back to November 2019 in the city.
Adrienne Rennard, 33, was sentenced in Thunder Bay plea court on Friday, May 1, for one count of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and breaching a previous court-order that required him to remain in southern Ontario.
Rennard’s sentencing hearing took place by way of audio conference on Friday morning. Justice Chantal Brochu accepted a joint submission for Rennard for charges connected to a drug and cash seizure of a north-side apartment last fall where eight individuals were arrested.
The drug unit with the Thunder Bay Police Service executed a search warrant at a Lincoln Street residence where numerous individuals were found inside on Nov. 15, 2019, Federal Crown counsel Ron Poirier said.
Rennard was found in the kitchen during the raid and police located, among several other things, 2.7 grams of crack cocaine and 14.1 grams of powdered cocaine connected to Rennard.
The owner of the property, Crystal Ann Idzi, was also arrested and charged after she was found with a large number of drugs stuffed in her bra. Court heard Rennard had a limited role in the drug trafficking activity taking place at the Lincoln Street residence and had been recruited by two other individuals to help collect money.
Defence lawyer Brennan Sacevich told the court his client had arrived in Thunder Bay shortly before his arrest from the Toronto area to make quick cash in an effort to support his child after struggling to gain stable employment.
At the time Rennard was arrested he was also bound by a probation order that required him to not be outside of the Toronto area.
Rennard has an extensive criminal record but has no previous convictions related to drugs.
Rennard was sentenced to nine months in custody, minus the time he has already served in pre-sentence custody at the Thunder Bay jail.
Sacevich advised the court of his client’s chaotic upbringing including trauma he endured as a child.
When asked to speak, Rennard apologized for his actions.
“I just wanted to say I am remorseful and I am sorry for following the wrong people into the city,” he said. “I just want to get back home to my son and be able to provide for him.”
Rennard has been in custody since Nov. 15, 2019, and was granted credit on an enhanced basis. He has 19 days left to serve going forward.
He was also handed a 10-year weapons prohibition and must provide his DNA for the national DNA database.
