‘Online vigilante’ Ken Power given a year’s probation for criminal harassment

St. John’s judge handed down the sentence in provincial court this morning

Tattoo artist Ken Power was given a year’s probation for a charge of criminal harassment in provincial court in St. John’s this morning. — Telegram file photo

Well-known C.B.S. tattoo artist Ken Power was given a year’s probation for a charge of criminal harassment in provincial court in St. John’s this morning.

Power, 45, had been convicted in early January after a trial. Though he admitted leaving Facebook and phone messages for a man he believes raped his friend, Power pleaded not guilty to criminally harassing the man.

The man testified he lived in fear after receiving the messages – which told him “Sleep tight” and “Only the guilty lawyer up… see you soon” — and felt forced to move out of his house, change his work parking spot, and sleep with a knife.

“He was avenging his friend by destroying (the man’s) peace of mind and ruining his reputation, the judge said. “He was taking the law into his own hands. It’s vigilante justice.”

Judge Mike Madden, in delivering his verdict last month, said Power’s actions were disturbing and criminal.

“He was avenging his friend by destroying (the man’s) peace of mind and ruining his reputation, the judge said. “He was taking the law into his own hands. It’s vigilante justice.”

Power spoke to members of the media after he was found guilty.

“With regards to the harassment charge, I take responsibility for (my) action(s). I admit to what I sent. I believe and still believe my friend, who was an acquaintance of the complainant,” Power said.
“The pictures, documents and other information supported my friend’s assertion of having been raped and assaulted. Despite numerous requests from myself and others for her to go to police, like many victimized women, she would not. I believed, and still believe, her. I acted on this because of her. My choice of actions may not have been the best in hindsight and I, my family, my friends, (especially) the one I was standing up for, must live with this decision and its consequences."

The conditions of Power’s probation require that he not contact the victim or visit his place of employment, and ban him from owning or using a firearm for 10 years.