Neil Andrew Knickle was ordered to serve 20 months on house arrest as part of a two-year conditional sentence

Neil Andrew Knickle was ordered to serve 20 months on house arrest as part of a two-year conditional sentence handed down September 23. He'll be on a curfew for the final four months. The conditional sentence will be followed by a year on probation.Mr. Knickle, 42, pleaded guilty to charges of possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and carelessly storing firearms stemming from a search at his home on August 8, 2007.Federal prosecutor Josh Bryson told the court police believed Mr. Knickle was a significant player in the local cocaine scene. They arrested him and searched the home where he lived with his two children, finding 312 grams of cocaine in the maintenance area of a hot tub in the master bathroom.Officers also seized several sets of scales, 13 boxes of small plastic bags, cash, a handgun and a plate containing cocaine residue.They found three shotguns and a rifle which were improperly stored in the basement.The cash has since been returned to Mr. Knickle after an investigation determined it was not related to drug activity.Quoting case law that called the sale of cocaine an "evil trade," "poison" and "despicable," Mr. Bryson said Mr. Knickle made the decision to sell from his residence knowing his two teen children lived there. He said it was one of the largest cocaine seizures in this area, showing that Mr. Knickle had "extensive involvement" in the trade. "This is certainly a lot of cocaine for the streets," Mr. Bryson said, asking for a prison term of three and a half years.But defence lawyer Franceen Romney argued her client's involvement was not that extensive. He was using cocaine himself and selling it to five or six people. He had no prior criminal record."This whole procedure has had a devastating effect on his family," Ms Romney said. "Mr. Knickle is ashamed, embarrassed in front of the children and also the community for what has occurred."

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