Local man sentenced for role in bomb incidents last March

By Rob Vogt
A Claresholm men has been sentenced in connection with recent bomb incidents.
The RCMP issued a release stating that on Jan. 31, 2024 Michael John Wynia appeared in Lethbridge Provincial Court for sentencing on his matters relating to the incidents that occurred in Claresholm between March 6, 2023, and March 25, 2023.
Wynia was facing a total of 13 charges for the March 25 incident alone. Of the 13 charges, the Crown withdrew nine charges leaving Wynia sentenced with the following:
• Two counts under Section 81(2)(b) of the Criminal Code – Explosives: use/possession with intent to damage/destroy property.
He received a global sentence of 1,050 days custody, less 360 days credit resulting in 690 days remaining.
• Section 145(4)(a) of the Criminal Code – Fail to comply with undertaking conditions. He received a $200 fine.
• Section 145(3) of the Criminal Code – Fail to attend court – appearance notice. He received a $200 fine.
A co-accused, Jadon Ross Vincent, has yet to have his outstanding six charges dealt with and is currently awaiting trial scheduled for April 18, 2024 in Lethbridge Provincial Court.
On March 25, 2023, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Claresholm RCMP were dispatched to a complaint of a loud bang from a garage in Claresholm. A witness said they saw two people carry a person and put them in a vehicle and then drive away. A few minutes later, RCMP were called to the Claresholm hospital where an injured male had been dropped off with serious injuries. Officers then attended the location where the bang came from and found two people inside a garage.
With assistance from Southern Alberta District General Investigation Section and Crime Reduction Unit, on March 26, 2023, RCMP executed a search warrant at the residence. Officers located various types of ammunition; pieces of pipe; fireworks; an explosive fuse; and ammunition that had been cut up to remove the gunpowder.
Jadon Ross Vincent, 27, a resident of Claresholm, who was located in the garage on the night of the explosion, was charged with two counts of using explosives with intent; two counts of mischief under $5,000; and two counts of failing to comply with a release order.
Vincent was released on conditions.
Michael John Wynia, 40, a resident of Claresholm, who was injured in the garage explosion, was charged with three counts of making an explosive substance; three counts of mischief under $5,000; three counts of causing an explosion; possession of break-in tools; and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
This investigation revealed the two accused were also responsible for March 4 and March 6 pipe bomb incidents in Claresholm.