William Reid Van Delft will spend the next four years in jail after pleading guilty to seven offences, including possession of counterfeit money, fake credit cards and possession of methamphetamine.

The British Columbia native was also charged with possession of an identification printer and an electronic card reader. As well, he was charged with obstruction of justice, impersonation and obtaining lodging by fraud.

Van Delft was called a “professional criminal” by Crown Prosecutor Robert Marr but he did note that Van Delft should receive credit for his early guilty plea. However, he cited the offender’s “horrible record” as reason enough for the four year sentence.

During sentencing, Judge V. Myers noted that Van Delft had 46 previous entries on his record, prior to this conviction.

“It’s the record of a career criminal,” he said, “53 entries is a lot for a young man.”

“Hopefully you’re getting tired of shoving people around... and then going to jail to get shoved around,” he added.

Charges were laid after Van Delft attempted to pay for a meal at a Jasper restaurant with a fake credit card on November 10, 2009. After the card declined, Van Delft used a counterfeit $100 bill to pay for the meal.

Once alerted to the situation, Jasper RCMP found Van Delft’s vehicle in the Tonquin Inn parking lot where he was staying under the name Ryan Thom.

When police knocked on the door of Van Delft’s room they were greeted by Nicole Wilcox, who was originally charged with similar offences but had all charges dropped.

Jasper RCMP searched the room and found Van Delft hiding under the bed in the master bedroom. He identified himself as Ryan Thom from Nova Scotia.
The room was searched and police found various stolen items including drivers licences, credit cards, cell phones, and licence plates.

Also found was a credit card printer, which Crown Attorney Bob Marr explained meant Van Delft could take one name and match it with somebody else’s credit card number.

The credit cards found were from banks throughout the world including, BMO, Citizen Bank of Canada, People’s Trust, Saudi Arabia and Arab Bank cards.

There was also 33.5 grams of methamphetamine found in Van Delft’s car. Van Delft’s vehicle was also found to be filled with merchandise that police suspect were purchased with fake credit cards.

Judge Myers imposed a DNA registration on Van Delft that was opposed by Van Delft’s lawyer Jan Ter Hart.

Van Delft told the court he took “full responsibility” for his actions and hoped this would be a “turning point in my life.”

The judge also imposed a life ban for having any weapons and a ten year ban on any firearm, explosive, or ammunition.