Skip to content

Sagmoen saga continues into new year

Curtis Sagmoen case one to watch in 2019
14944330_web1_181024-VMS-curtis-sagmoen
Curtis Wayne Sagmoen is escorted into a British Columbia Sheriff Service vehicle as rallier shout “No more stolen sisters” marking the end of the first day of his preliminary inquiry in Vernon Law Courts Monday, Oct. 22. (Parker Crook/Morning Star)

Few stories made the headlines as frequently and with as much attention in 2018 as the ongoing court appearances of Curtis Wayne Sagmoen.

And, as the calendar turns over, the Sagmoen saga continues to be one to watch.

While none of the charges alleging violence against women have been proven in court and Sagmoen has never been linked to any of missing North Okanagan women, the case has become a catalyst for sparking conversations on the topic.

The most recent appearance of Sagmoen’s saw an absolute discharge after he pleaded guilty to a lesser included charge of mischief as damage to property Dec. 13. Provincial court Judge Edmond de Walle granted the 38-year-old with no prior criminal record an absolute discharge on the file. Sagmoen previously faced one count of mischief $5,000 or under.

Related: Absolute discharge for mischief count against Sagmoen

Earlier in the year, Sagmoen was committed to stand trial on one count of assault and one count of assault causing bodily harm after the conclusion of a preliminary inquiry Dec. 10. A second and unrelated matter will also see Sagmoen stand trial on counts of disguising face with the intent to commit an offence, intentionally discharging a firearm while reckless, use of a firearm committing an indictable offence, uttering threats and possession of a controlled substance.

Both of those files will be back before Vernon Law Courts Jan. 7 to fix a date for their respective trials. While it will be largely procedural in nature, that appearance will set the stones for the culmination of Sagmoen’s Vernon files. He will also be in Port Coquitlam courts for a five-day trial on unrelated assault charges Feb. 4.

Related: Sagmoen to stand trial

All of Sagmoen’s appearances in Vernon Law Courts have coincided with rallies in support of missing local women Caitlin Potts, Ashley Simpson, Deanna Wertz, Nicole Bell and Traci Genereaux.

Sagmoen’s case rose to provincial and national interest after human remains were found on the Silver Creek farm owned by his parents in October 2017. Those remains were later announced as that of Genereaux. No charges have been laid in connection to her death and no suspects have been named by police.


@VernonNews
parker.crook@vernonmorningstar.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.