Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 07/02) - A Project Getaway suspect is expected to plead guilty to three charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act next week.

Rickey Storey, 28, faces two counts of trafficking cocaine and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The accused appeared in territorial court earlier this week. Storey's attorney, Kelly Payne, indicated her client was prepared to plead guilty on all three counts and wished that he be sentenced expediently.

"He just wants to have this matter settled," said Payne.

Storey was been remanded in custody since his arrest on May 13. He was the only Project Getaway suspect to be denied bail.

Storey's wish to be sentenced this week was quashed by Crown attorney Sandra Aitken.

Aitken said the case was being prosecuted by Crown attorney Scott Niblock who is in Aklavik this week for a jury trial.

Aitken said she preferred the matter be held over until June 11.

Judge Brian Bruser agreed it would be unfair to force the Crown attorney's office to deal with the matter in the absence of Niblock.

Bruser then struck the guilty pleas from the record and scheduled Storey to appear next Tuesday morning to enter pleas on all three counts.

Storey faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.