The high-ranking B.C. Mountie accused of stealing and using cocaine from a police evidence locker now knows when he’ll make his first court appearance.
One charge of theft under $5,000 has been formally laid against RCMP Staff Sgt. Stuart Seib, with a first appearance set for late February in Merritt provincial court.
The 52-year-old had been the officer-in-charge of the Merritt RCMP detachment since last November, but was suspended earlier this month after RCMP brass learned of allegations he’d been stealing and using cocaine from police evidence. Before that, he was in charge of the Clearwater detachment.
At a press conference on Jan. 11, RCMP Chief Supt. Mike Sekela - the top cop in the national force’s Southeast District of B.C. - revealed Seib had been suspended.
At the time, Sekela said Seib stole and used cocaine from Merritt RCMP evidence storage on more than one occasion.
According to Sekela, investigators became aware of the allegations on Jan. 6, and Seib - an 18-year RCMP veteran - was arrested on Jan. 10.
Recent criminal charges against B.C. Mounties show they can face counts specific to their role as public peace officers.
Three Kamloops RCMP officers are facing charges of breach of trust by a public officer in relation to an alleged sex scandal in a jail cell in 2010.
According to the Criminal Code of Canada, breach of trust by a public officer occurs any time an official, “in connection with the duties of his office, commits fraud or breach of trust.”
Seib’s first court appearance is slated for Feb. 21 in Merritt.