A former commander of CFB Trenton has pleaded guilty in connection with a firearm-related incident on the Murray Canal in Trenton, Ont.
Col. Leif Dahl was initially charged with careless use of a firearm and obstructing police after OPP said he was seen shooting at protected wildlife from a boat in Quinte West, Ont., on Aug. 25, 2023.
At the time investigators alleged Dahl threw two firearms into the canal, which their dive team recovered.
Dahl pleaded guilty to careless use of a firearm and public mischief in a Belleville courtroom Thursday.
He was sentenced to 12 months probation and ordered to forfeit the guns that were seized in the case. Dahl was also ordered to make a $500 donation to Ducks Unlimited under the sentence.
Court heard Dahl will not have a criminal record once his sentence is successfully completed.
Dahl was removed from his post as commander of 8 Wing and Canadian Forces Base Trenton in September 2023.
In a release at the time, Major-Gen. Iain Huddleston, commander of 1 Canadian Air Division, said the incident occurred while Dahl was on leave.
A spokesperson with National Defence said Dahl is currently employed in “a staff position within RCAF headquarters in Ottawa” but his role is under review.
“The RCAF has initiated an Administrative Review which is a formal internal process used to determine the most appropriate administrative action required as a result of an incident, special circumstance or a professional deficiency that calls into question a CAF member’s continued ability to serve,” the spokesperson said in an email to Global News Friday.
Dahl, who has more than 25 years of military experience, had been commander of 8 Wing Trenton since July 29, 2022.
— with files from Global’s Greg Davis