News release from Alberta RCMP

Former senior financial advisor charged for misappropriating nearly $5 million from clients

On April 4, 2024, the RCMP’s Provincial Financial Crime Team charged a Calgary resident for fraud-related offences after embezzling millions of dollars from his clients while serving as a senior financial advisor.

Following a thorough investigation, the accused is alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn funds from client accounts and deposited them into bank accounts he personally controlled. A total of sixteen victims were identified in the Red Deer area and suffered a combined loss of nearly $5 million.

Marc St. Pierre, 52, a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:

• Fraud over $5,000 contrary to section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code; and,
• Theft over $5,000 contrary to section 344(a) of the Criminal Code.

St. Pierre is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on May 14, 2024.

“The ability for financial advisors to leverage their position to conduct frauds and investment scams represents a significant risk to the integrity of Alberta’s financial institutions. The investigation serves as an important reminder for all banking clients to regularly check their accounts for any suspicious activity and to report it to their bank’s fraud prevention team.”

• Sgt. John Lamming, Provincial Financial Crime Team

The Provincial Financial Crime Team is a specialized unit that conducts investigations relating to multi-jurisdictional serious fraud, investments scams and corruption.

News release from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT)

ALERT seized a loaded handgun during the arrest of suspected drug dealers in Red Deer. The handgun, which had previously been reported as stolen, was seized alongside cocaine, fentanyl, and other prohibited items.

The seizure took place on April 4, 2024 when ALERT’s Integrated Gang Enforcement Team observed a suspected drug transaction involving two vehicles in a parking lot along Gaetz Avenue. Two vehicles were pulled over and the five occupants were arrested.

One of the suspected drug dealers was found carrying the loaded handgun tucked into his waistband. The handgun was determined to have previously been reported as stolen from the Edmonton area.

“Although gang-related violence may seem specifically targeted to those involved in organized criminality; the negative impact of this victimization is far more reaching and effects all Albertans.  The solution lays within the integrated approach of our ALERT teams to suppress, disrupt and dismantle organized crime,” said Insp. Angela Kemp, ALERT Edmonton.

The full search of both vehicles resulted in ALERT seizing the following items:

• Loaded, stolen handgun;
• 45 grams of cocaine;
• 2 grams of fentanyl;
• 3 fentanyl patches;
• GPS tracking device;
• Portable hacking device;
• Brass knuckles;
• Gloves and balaclavas; and
• $5,100 cash.

The handgun will be submitted for further analysis and examination by ALERT’s Provincial Firearms Solutions Lab.

The five suspects arrested face a combined 25 charges related to drug, firearms, and weapons offences:

• Makenzie Giles, 27-year-old from Red Deer;
• Martin Heathen, 30-year-old from Onion Lake, Sask.;
• Jordan McMartin, 22-year-old from Red Deer;
• Ethan Frenette, 21-year-old from Red Deer; and
• Madison Halvorson, 23-year-old from Red Deer.

McMartin was also found to be wanted on several warrants in relation to offences in the Red Deer area.

Anyone with information about this investigation, or who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.