What Comes Next for Coutts Protesters Following Latest Finding of Not Guilty of Murder Conspiracy?

Protesters demonstrating against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions gather as a truck convoy blocks the highway at the Canada-U.S. border crossing in Coutts, Alta., on Feb. 2, 2022. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

With two men found not guilty of conspiring to kill RCMP police officers at the Coutts, Alta., border blockade in 2022, the trial of the four protesters is nearing its end.

The jury on Aug. 2 acquitted Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert of the most serious charge of murder conspiracy related to their role in the U.S.-Canada border blockade. This follows their conviction on the lesser charges of mischief and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Olienick was also convicted of possessing a pipe bomb.

During the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests against COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates, the two men, along with Jerry Morin and Christopher Lysak, were accused of conspiring to kill police officers at the blockade near Coutts. The “Coutts Four” were arrested after the RCMP found firearms, ammunition, and body armour in trailers near Coutts.

Shortly after the arrests, the convoy demonstrators abandoned the Coutts protest site, saying they wanted to ensure they were not associated with the alleged perpetrators.

Morin and Lysak previously entered into plea deals in February 2024, with Morin admitting to a charge of conspiracy to traffic firearms and Lysak admitting to a charge of possession of a weapon in an unauthorized place. Morin was sentenced to 3 1/2 years and Lysak to three years.

The two were released as both sentences amounted to time the men had already served in pretrial custody. Morin was given enhanced credit for his time served, as he spent periods of time in solitary confinement. The two also have a weapons prohibition for 10 years.

Next Court Appearance

For Carbert and Olienick, their next court date will be Aug. 12, to deal with their convictions on the lesser charges of mischief and possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose.

During the trial for the two men, the jury heard statements and text messages from the accused warning that the blockade was a last stand against a tyrannical federal government. Carbert called police “losers” and “the enemy.” Olienick told undercover police officers posing as protest volunteers that he feared a loss in Coutts would result in a potential invasion from United Nations troops or Chinese communists.

Olienick’s lawyer also accused one of the undercover female officers of flirting to get information, which the officer denied. Olienick’s lawyer argued that the pipe bombs found in Olienick’s home were for industrial use.

While defence lawyers didn’t contest the warnings and threats the two men had made, they argued these did not equate to a conspiracy to commit murder.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.