Former Bountiful leader James Oler handed one-year jail sentence and 18-months probation

Mitigating factors in Oler’s sentencing included his knowledge that the underaged girl would be put in a position where sexual contact would be expected which displayed an abuse of trust, given his role in the polygamous community.

Justice Devlin also outlined his involvement in planning and carrying out the events in 2004 to facilitate the removal of the girl.

The judge was not confident Oler could be rehabilitated given his lack of understanding of the gravity of his offence.

She considered Oler’s religious beliefs being a motivating factor for the offence, but the court ruled that his beliefs were not sufficient enough of a reason to justify his actions.

During Oler’s trial, court heard that church records seized by American law enforcement indicated that Jeffs called Oler on June 23, 2004, and ordered him to bring the 15-year-old girl to the U.S. to be married

A trial witness, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, was also named by Jeffs in the directive to come to the U.S. and be married as a child bride.

The witness testified she travelled with two adults to the United States on June 24, 2004, crossing into Idaho at the Porthill crossing south of Creston and pulling into a rest area shortly after. She went into the woods to relieve herself, and when she returned, another van containing Oler and the 15-year-old girl had arrived.

All but one piled into the newly arrived van and headed to Cedar City, Utah, and later to Mesquite, Nev.

Church records indicate 18 marriages took place on June 25, as the witness, the 15-year-old girl, and Oler himself were all married in separate ceremonies.

An earlier ruing had drawn parallels against Brandon James Blackmore and Emily Ruth Gail Blackmore. They were convicted and sentenced for the same child removal charge after being ordered to bring a 13-year-old girl to marry Jeffs. Brandon James Blackmore was sentenced to 12 months in jail, while Emily Ruth Gail Blackmore was given a seven-month jail term.

Oler was also charged and convicted of polygamy alongside Bountiful leader Winston Blackmore and sentenced to three months house arrest in 2018.

The court heard that he was living in isolation in Alberta after being stripped of his bishop’s appointment and excommunicated from the Bountiful community nearly a decade ago for participating in legal proceedings examining the constitutionality of Canada’s polygamy laws.

Oler addressed the court before Devlin began reading her sentence.

He took the time to read a poem from his daughter tiled ‘Find the Joy in Living’, and thanked Justice Devlin and court officials for their kindness and respect.

The court heard that Oler is living in isolation in Alberta after being stripped of his bishop’s appointment and excommunicated from the Bountiful community nearly a decade ago for participating in legal proceedings examining the constitutionality of Canada’s polygamy laws.

He was also charged and convicted of polygamy alongside Bountiful leader Winston Blackmore and sentenced to three months house arrest in 2018.

Oler’s probation following his jail sentence will include a number of conditions, and he will be registered as a sex offender for ten years.

This was Oler’s second trial on the matter, he had previously been acquitted in February 2017 but that verdict was appealed.

by Wylie Henderson - The Drive Radio, Cranbrook, with files from the Canadian Press

Former Bountiful leader James Oler handed one-year jail sentence and 18-months probation

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