SUNDRE – An area farm family is feeling “massive relief” after the Crown dropped charges against two brothers in connection to a confrontation near Didsbury in the summer with Alberta Sheriffs.
“It is a massive relief, definitely, that the charges are dropped,” said 18-year-old Jeremia Leussink, who was charged after the July 31 incident with his 20-year-old brother Dominic. “It has been a pretty stressful ordeal, that is for sure, because it has taken away a lot of time from the field, like taking phone calls with people all the time.
“It has also taken a big impact on my life, like trying to find ways to get to the field,” he added.
Jeremia was charged with several offences, including resisting arrest and failing to take a breathalyzer. Dominic was charged with obstructing a police officer and causing a disturbance.
Family members said Jeremia was driving a tractor on July 31 from one field to another when he came upon a check stop at the intersection of Highway 2A and Twp. Rd. 312A. Jeremia drove into the ditch in an attempt to bypass the check stop and get into the field, said the family, adding a number of police officers then approached the vehicle and a confrontation ensued.
Several videos of the incident were shot by bystanders and were posted online.
One video appeared to show officers pulling Jeremia from the vehicle, throwing him to the ground, restraining and handcuffing him.
Jeremia suffered facial and other injuries, said the family. Some time after Jeremia’s arrest, Dominic came to the scene and tried to remove the tractor. He too was arrested.
Since the brothers’ arrests the family has received overwhelming public support, with more than $73,000 raised on a GoFundMe page.
The charges against the younger Leussink were dropped by the Crown on Sept. 24, while the ones against Dominic were withdrawn earlier in the month, confirmed family members.
"We are definitely relieved, especially for Jeremia because his charges were criminal. He is not a criminal. He is just a hard-working farm boy,” said the brothers’ mother Lilianne. “I am very happy for Jeremia now that it is over because it was something that could hold on to him for the rest of his life if he did have that on his record.”
Calgary lawyer Tonii Roulston, who has been representing the family on the case, acknowledged the matter has been “very trying” for the family on many levels, and while they are “very, very relieved” the criminal matter has been dealt with, she still has to work to get Jeremia driver’s licence reinstated.
“Under the Alberta Licence Suspension Program Jeremia is still subject to punishment, even though the charges have been withdrawn,” said Roulston. “So, what happens is that even if the charges are withdrawn the province has imposed a driving suspension for 15 months. What we have to do now is to canvass the province because we take the position that the province doesn’t have jurisdiction in this particular case to impose that suspension."
In the meantime, the Leussink family is doing the best it can to move forward, and get through the rest of the autumn harvest season at their large mixed farm five kilometres east of Sundre. They emphasized they are grateful for all the support that has poured in from family, friends and neighbours.
“I am really appreciative for all the people and the donors who helped pay all these fees to deal with the costs,” said Jeremia. “It has been a very costly thing for the farm with the tractor missing.”
His mom Lilianne said the tractor, which was damaged during the July 31 incident, is being repaired. A loaner is being used until repairs are completed this week.
