By Corey Fischer

Sagmoen Stays In Custody

Feb 28, 2018 | 4:07 PM

A man charged with offences involving sex trade workers and online escorts near Salmon Arm will remain in custody for the foreseeable future.

That was the outcome of a bail hearing for 37 year old Curtis Wayne Sagmoen in Vernon provincial court.

Few details can be released from the hearing, but Judge Mark Takahashi ordered Sagmoen detained on some of the charges while releasing him on others

The end result is that Sagmeon is expected to remain in custody at least until a preliminary inquiry is held.

“That is my understanding – that he was detained on the most serious of the charges and released on surety bail on the other two,” says Dan McLaughlin, Communications Counsel for the BC Prosecution Service, Ministry of Attorney General.

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His lawyer, Lisa Helps, entered not guilty pleas to the nine charges against him, which will require three separate trials.

Sagmoen elected to be tried by Supreme Court judge in two of them, and in provincial court for a mischief charge.

Sagmoen, who appeared by video link from a correctional facility, will be back in court March 8th to fix dates for his preliminary inquiries.

The charges against hm include assault causing bodily harm, pointing a firearm, uttering threats and careless use of a firearm.

Photo: Jody Leon, advocate for missing and murdered aboriginal women, speaks to media outside the Vernon Courthouse

About a dozen women held a rally on the courthouse steps, supporting missing and murdered aboriginal women.

Jody Leon, an advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous women, would have preferred the judge denying bail on all the charges.

“There is sort of this feeling in the air that people feel like this issue is not really resolved as of yet. I think the public would still feel that way, and people will feel hurt that there wasn’t enough facts to keep him in on everything.”

Leon hopes more people will come forward in the case.

“The RCMP have said that other women may have had similar circumstances with respect to concern around Curtis Sagmoen, so it would be a hope that out of this, additional people would come forward,” Leon tole the media.

Anna Thomas, president of the BC Native Women’s Association says they stand behind the alleged victims in the case.

“Violence against all women is unacceptable. Our women and children and LGBTQ2S deserve equality and justice,” stated Thomas.

by Corey Fischer