66 year old Fred Alton O’Banion of Bend Oregon appeared in a courtroom in Penticton today and pled guilty to two criminal charges – and then paid the piper.

O’Banion and his companion in a motorhome attempted to cross the border at Osoyoos August 7 but two things happened. He admitted lying to the border official and then a 357 unloaded pistol was found in the motorhome.

The vehicle was impounded, he had to pay bail and the gun and ammunition was seized. He told police he was on the way to Alaska for a back packing trip and always had a gun while in the wild.

He was introduced to Judge Meg Shaw as a former tax judge but records indicate his title was senior county tax appraiser. He admit it was a stupid mistake to lie at the border about the gun.

Judge Shaw told him that Americans must learn that you don’t bring guns into Canada illegally.

He will pay a fine of $2000 –  his bail will not be returned and his gun has been forfeited to the crown to be destroyed.

He had already paid $1000 for the impounding of his vehicle.

He drove 8 hours today to get to the court room with another full day to get home.