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Tuesday, July 16, 2013 X Volume 26 No. 56
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Kamloops transit driver fails sobriety test Page A3 Thompson River Publications Partnership Ltd.
Former gang leader granted day parole By Tim Petruk STAFF REPORTER
tim@kamloopsthisweek.com
His name is known across North America — but this horse whisperer made it clear during a recent visit to Kamloops that he is not in it for the money or fame. “If I can show someone how to do something and they are successful at it, well, it makes me feel really good,” Larry Nelles said. “If I can teach just one person everything I know, I can die happy.”
STORY, PAGE A13 Dave Eagles/KTW
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A Kamloops gangster serving a sevenyear federal prison term for drug trafficking has been granted day parole. Jayme Russell was given that right by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) in a decision dated July 11. A copy of the decision was made public on Monday, July 15. Russell, 32, will have to comply with a number of strict conditions, including orders he provide full financial disclosure to his parole officer, remain “gainfully employed or continue to actively search for employment” and not own or possess more than one “mobile communication device.” The written decision outlines discussions Russell had with PBC members, including him boasting about having “an income of well over $1 million” while running a “professional and reliable” drug ring in Kamloops. In 2009, Russell was convicted of drug trafficking after conspiring, alongside Thomas Crawford, to sell cocaine and guns to a pair of undercover police officers. Russell had previ-
Jayme Russell (left), former head of the Kamloops chapter of the Independent Soldiers gang, hangs out with a prison pal. Russell has been granted day parole despite a number of drug-related infractions while behind bars.
ously been identified by Kamloops Mounties as the leader of the local chapter of the Independent Soldiers street gang. Russell has the words “Independent Soldier” tattooed on his forearms. Crawford was at one time believed to have been his second-incommand. While free on bail awaiting sentencing following that conviction, Russell was arrested on separate trafficking
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charges. In March of 2009, a four-month investigation by Kamloops Mounties resulted in the seizure of three kilograms of cocaine, a loaded handgun, body armour and thousands of dollars in cash, as well as the arrest of Russell and three associates. He subsequently pleaded guilty and was handed a further fiveyear jail term.
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