KELOWNA – Parole Board of Canada documents reveal why a former high ranking member of the Independent Soldiers gang in the Okanagan had his statutory release revoked.
Donald Bryce Lyons, 40, is serving a six year prison sentence (after credit for time served prior to conviction) for cocaine trafficking, firearms and explosives related charges.
In a search of his home and vehicle in Kelowna in December 2007, police found 19 guns, ammunition, a hand grenade, two tasers and two silencers.
The vehicle had been custom modified to hide the weapons.
Lyons was recently arrested in Osoyoos, where he was residing, and returned to prison.
In its written decision, the Parole Board notes Lyons put himself in a high risk situation and appears to have been involved in the planning of potential criminal activity.
“In September 2014, you were observed by police with three other men who all have criminal records. The three men were wearing disguises, were in the possession of weapons and were believed by police to be planning to break into a marijuana grow op. You clearly continue to struggle with the significant risk factor of your negative associates, and you have a history of being deceitful with your parole supervisors. The Board concludes that your risk to the community has become undue and therefore your statutory release is revoked.”
Statutory release is granted to federal inmates after serving two-thirds of their sentence.
After his incarceration, Lyons claimed he was doing all he could to sever ties with the notoriously violent Independent Soldiers, including removing gang tattoos.
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