A St. John’s man who bought a house with money he made from dealing drugs will get to serve his sentence in the community.
In Newfoundland Supreme Court today, James Donald Sharpe got a 14-month conditional sentence after pleading guilty to one count of money laundering.
The 58-year-old was also ordered to forfeit a property he owned on Duckworth Street, as well as pay $35,000 in lieu of forfeiting his house on Freshwater Road.
If Sharpe defaults on payment, Justice James Adams warned him he would be sent to jail for more than a year.
Other conditions of Sharpe’s sentence include that he remain in the jurisdiction; notify the court of any change of name, address or employment; and to have no contact with anyone with a criminal record, other than his immediate family.
He is also not allowed to have any weapons or consume alcohol or illegal drugs.
In 2002, Sharpe was sentenced to a five-year prison term on conspiracy and possessing illegal drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
During that investigation, police officers discovered irregularities in Sharpe’s financial affairs.
Investigators found his spending far exceeded his earnings. Between 1993 and 1999, Sharpe — the former owner of a printing company — reported earning $180,000, while at the same time he had credit for $500,000.
He was arrested on money laundering charges in 2004, a year after he was released on parole.
He’s been on bail ever since.
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