Alberta Provincial Court

By Sheldon Spackman

2025 Investigation

Stay of proceedings in alleged firearms trafficking case

Jan 14, 2026 | 5:00 PM

There has been a stay of proceedings for a central Alberta man accused of acquiring and distributing firearms from crime scenes in Maskwacis and Wetaskiwin. 

Eaglechild Smallboy, 38, a resident of Maskwacis, was facing four counts of firearms trafficking, and four counts of transfer without authority.  

However, during a court appearance in Wetaskiwin Court of Justice on Jan. 13, 2026, a stay was entered by the Crown prosecution. A stay means court proceedings are temporarily or indefinitely halted. 

According to the Alberta Cown Prosecution Service (ACPS), after reviewing all of the evidence on the file, the Crown determined there was not a reasonable likelihood of conviction in the case.  

In September 2025, Maskwacis RCMP said they identified several firearms that were illegally purchased as part of an ongoing investigation. 

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As a result, Eaglechild Smallboy was charged. 

“This is the second Maskwacis resident charged in the last 30 days with bringing these crime guns into the community,” said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, in a media release, at the time of the arrest. “As we reduce the influx of illegal firearms into the community, we believe it will have a prolonged effect on reducing gun related crime. “ 

The accused was taken before a Justice of the Peace and released.  

Prior to that, in August 2025, police charged 24-year-old Colby Ray Buffalo with firearms trafficking and transfer without authority, following an investigation that began in February 2025. 

Related: Maskwacis RCMP arrest resident for firearms trafficking

Related: Maskwacis RCMP arrest resident for allegedly trafficking firearms