A failed Calgary mayoralty candidate, who is set to serve time for being found in contempt of a court injunction in Ontario, will be back in provincial court in Drumheller on November 19.
Kevin J. Johnston was scheduled for his third court appearance in Drumheller on Friday, October 22. He is facing criminal charges of forcible entry, causing a disturbance, and mischief. He is also facing three counts under the Petty Trespassing Act and a single violation of the Alberta Public Health Act.
Sergeant Jamie Day of the Three Hills RCMP explains the charges stem from an incident in Delburne at a grocery store on April 7, 2021.
“There was a big social media thing on different platforms online. Information got down to us there was a protest. Everything was peaceful, but we got a call that things had changed,” said Day. “Two members went up to deal with it, and we found that Kevin J. Johnston was there.”
Day said Johnston left before police arrived.
The RCMP investigation led to charges being sworn on July 9, 2021.
Johnston has been a controversial figure in the news in Alberta and has been vocal in the pandemic denial movement. In May, Court of Queen’s Bench granted an interim injunction preventing him from obstructing or interfering with AHS officers and employees. In September, he was sentenced for breaching three judge’s orders and was sentenced to 40 days in jail.
He also pleaded guilty to a hate crime in Ontario stemming from anti-Muslim online posts and was sentenced to 18 months for contempt of a Judge’s order, which is to commence in January of this coming year.
Johnston ran in the Calgary mayor race and received 1,565 votes.
