The parents of a Sault man who was charged last month with weapons offences and trafficking fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine now stand as his co-accused.
Robert Berto and Deborah Martynuck-Berto appeared in bail court on Thursday, facing a number of charges similar to those laid against their son Nicholas Berto, who was charged on Nov. 15. None of the charges have been proven in court and all three are considered innocent unless proven guilty.
Sault Police said in a news release someone called 911 to report there was an individual with a firearm in the 2100 block of Queen Street East on Nov. 15. After getting a search warrant, detectives searched the residence and trailer.
Robert and Deborah were charged on Dec. 5 and released the same day after a bail hearing.
Nicholas, 26, is still in custody for the roughly 30 charges against him, while Robert and Deborah are each out on $10,000 bail, with conditions after they appeared before Justice of the Peace Kyle Cachagee on Thursday. A publication ban prohibits the reporting of evidence presented during the bail hearing.
One of those conditions is an order prohibiting Robert or Deborah from contacting Nicholas, except in the presence or through legal counsel.
In 2018, Nicholas was found guilty of dangerous driving causing bodily harm and fleeing the scene of an accident for a 2016 incident at the Pine Plaza that left a man a quadraplegic. He was sentenced to two years in prison and a later appeal of that conviction was not successful.
Nicholas, Robert and Deborah are facing trafficking charges for fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine and each face a number of charges related to improper storage of firearms, including shotguns and handguns, as well as not having a licence for those firearms.
Additionally, all three are charged with possession of a loaded restricted handgun.
Robert and Deborah are due back in court on Dec. 23, while the next appearance for Nicholas is scheduled for Dec. 19.