Jail time for two of six convicted of unmarked tobacco possession

January 21, 2010 Cornwall Standard Freeholder

Six people were found guilty and fined in Cornwall court on Jan. 7 for possession of unmarked cigarettes.

In separate cases, the people were charged by the Ministry of Revenue's Special Investigations branch.

* James Curotte and Kehly Horn, both of Kahnawake, Que., pleaded guilty to possession of 160,000 unmarked cigarettes. Curotte received a sentence of 30 days in jail. Horn was fined $30,000 and must pay $7,500 to the Victims' Justice Fund.

* Steven Hopps of Cornwall pleaded guilty to possession of 190,000 unmarked cigarettes and received a sentence of 21 days in jail.

* Leland Herne of Cornwall pleaded guilty to possession of 150,800 unmarked cigarettes. He was fined $5,000 and must pay $1,250 to the Victims' Justice Fund. Herne was also placed on probation for 18 months and must perform 60 hours of community service.

* Shannon Lazore of Hogansburg, NY., was convicted of possession of 200,000 unmarked cigarettes. She was fined $74,600 and must pay $18,650 to the Victims' Justice Fund.

* Lee Lauder of Oka, Que., was convicted of possession of 190,000 unmarked cigarettes. He received a $70,895 fine and must pay $17,723 to the Victims' Justice Fund.

The seized illegal cigarettes were turned over to the Ontario government.