A man from Alberta who was set to be sentenced on charges related to a 2023 incident involving a gun and drugs in Fort Smith plans to withdraw his guilty plea.
RCMP officers arrested and charged Ethienne Ruhumuriza and Isiah Zehimi in October 2023 after officers said they seized a loaded handgun, two loaded magazines, 35 tablets suspected to be oxycontin, seven grams of cocaine and approximately $600 of cash from two men in Fort Smith.
Ruhumuriza, who is from Edmonton, was set to face a week-long trial in Fort Smith in March 2026 on 12 criminal charges. That included being unlawfully in a dwelling, possessing property obtained by crime, possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possessing a break-in instrument, carrying a concealed weapon, possessing a restricted firearm without a licence, and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Ahead of trial, Ruhumuriza pleaded guilty to some of those charges.
When he was set to be sentenced earlier this month, however, Ruhumuriza’s lawyer at the time, Roopa Mulherkar, told the court that he planned to withdraw his guilty plea.
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Crown prosecutor Mallorie Malone said that was “unfortunate” as it was the second time “a very lenient” sentencing hearing had been scheduled in the “very dated” matter.
Court documents indicate there was a previous disagreement between the Crown and Ruhumuriza on the facts of his case. An agreed statement of facts is a common part of plea bargains.
Ruhumuriza has since changed lawyers. His application to withdraw his guilty plea is pending.
Ruhumuriza remains incarcerated at the Edmonton Remand Centre. He is scheduled to next appear in NWT Supreme Court on July 6.
Charges against Zehimi, who police said is from Tara, Ontario, were stayed earlier this year.
