Train hopping results in hefty fines

By Delon Shurtz on October 23, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

The second of three men who were caught train hopping to eastern Canada during the summer, has received a hefty fine.
Ivan Esparza-Luna was fined $1,000 after he pleaded guilty Friday in Lethbridge provincial court to one count of entering land without permission under the Petty Trespass Act.
Court was told Esparza-Luna and the other men were caught July 7 at the Kipp rail yard, where they were attempting to jump on a train heading east. The men had been working in B.C. and were trying to get home to Quebec.
Crown Prosecutor Kristi Adams told court the train, which could have been derailed when it had to stop quickly, was delayed for about 20 minutes. The rail yard had to be temporarily shut down, as well.
Esparza-Luna had also been charged with mischief under the Criminal Code, and unlawfully entering land under the Railway Safety Act, but those charges were withdrawn.
Lethbridge lawyer James Rouleau explained his client, who is only in Canada on a visa, could have been deported had he been convicted of the Criminal Code offence. Rouleau suggested such a consequence is too harsh for the charge Esparza-Luna faced.
Two of the man’s friends who were train hopping with him, were also charged. Adam Chamberland-Black pleaded guilty Oct. 1 to the Railway Safety Act charge and was also fined $1,000. An arrest warrant was issued for the third man, Mathieu Bertrand, when he failed to show up to court Sept. 29.

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