(Dreamstime)

By Sheldon Spackman

October 2023 Incident

Red Deer man sentenced in stolen property and drug trafficking investigation

Jun 9, 2025 | 2:27 PM

A Red Deer man charged in a stolen property and drug trafficking investigation has been given a $250 fine after pleading guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance.

Kyle Rasmussen, 34, was sentenced in Red Deer Court of Justice on May 6, 2025, while four other counts were withdrawn. According to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS), the Crown prosecutor determined the other four charges did not meet the standard for prosecution.

Rasmussen’s co-accused, Gary Raymond Auvigne, 49, of Penhold, was sentenced to five months in jail and $3,624 in fines. He was sentenced in Red Deer Court of Justice on Nov. 26, 2024, and also given a one-year license suspension.

Auvigne was found guilty on counts of dangerous operation, drive motor vehicle with no insurance, operate unregistered motor vehicle/trailer, and possess/sell unmarked tobacco following his trial in Red Deer last July.

Auvigne was found not guilty, meanwhile, on counts of flight from peace officer, two counts of possession of property under $5000, possession for the purpose, and possession of a controlled substance. A charge of failing to hold a valid operator’s license was withdrawn.

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It was about 2:30 a.m. on Oct. 30, 2023, when Innisfail RCMP members patrolling Penhold located a truck driving erratically.

Mounties say the license plate was confirmed stolen out of Red Deer and police stopped the vehicle, then arrested the driver and passenger.

Police say a search of the suspects and truck turned up methamphetamine, fentanyl, Xanax, non-taxed cigarettes, and additional evidence of drug trafficking. Both suspects were known to police.

Gary Auvigne was originally charged with:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking Methamphetamine;
• Possession of a controlled substance (x2)
• Possession of property obtained by crime (x2)
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• Possession of non-tax cigarettes.

Co-accused, Kyle Rasmussen, was originally charged with:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking Methamphetamine
• Possession of a controlled substance (x2)
• Possession of property obtained by crime (x2).

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