The Parole Board of Canada imposed a series of restrictions on Michael Kerry Hunter Jones, 37, because he remains a “high-ranking” member of a “security threat group.”
A United Nations gangster who was part of the 2011 Kelowna murder plot that left Red Scorpion Jonathan Bacon dead will have to obey special conditions in the community for his upcoming prison release.
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The Parole Board of Canada imposed a series of restrictions on Michael Kerry Hunter Jones, 37, because he remains a “high-ranking” member of a “security threat group.”
Jones is eligible for his statutory release, under which almost all federal prisoners are automatically freed after serving two-thirds of their sentence. Jones is two-thirds of his way through a 10-year sentence.
In May 2018, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder for driving masked killers to a Kelowna lakeside resort to shoot Bacon and his associates Hells Angel Larry Amero and Independent Soldier James Riach. Bacon died at the scene, Amero was seriously injured and Riach was unscathed. Two women in their vehicle were also wounded.
The high-profile public shooting was at the height of a gang conflict between Jones’s UN gang and their rivals, who had just formed the Wolfpack gang alliance.
Parole Board member Ryan Nash highlighted the gang tensions in his written decision.
“The offence was committed within the context of an ongoing gang conflict between two criminal organizations,” he said. “The shooting was reportedly in retaliation for the shooting death of a member of the group you were associated with.”
Once released, Jones will have to stay away from other gangsters, look for work, obey a curfew and report any device connected to the internet to his parole supervisor.
Nash said the special conditions were necessary because Jones “committed offences with others and associated with people involved in criminal activity and organized crime.”
“You are associated to a criminal organization that has been linked to extreme violence in the community. You have not severed these ties during your incarceration remain identified as an active member,” Nash said.
He said Jones did not face any institutional charges while incarcerated, but that Correctional Service Canada’s security intelligence department expressed “concern regarding your ongoing associations with those involved in criminal organizations/security threat groups.”
“You are reported to hold a level of ‘respect and influence’ among the inmate population and continue to be brought to the attention of the (intelligence department) for involvement in the institutional sub-culture, and affiliation with prominent members of a security threat group and negative associates,” the board decision said.
Jones only took recommended courses late in his prison term, the ruling noted.
The courses reduced Jones’ risk factors, Nash noted, aside from his continued link to negative peers.
“One needs area that remains unchanged since the start of your sentence and represents an aggravating aspect of your case relates to associates,” he said. “You have not severed these ties during your incarceration and remain identified as an active member. “
He said Jones use “telecommunication devices and a computer” during the murder plot justified the condition to report their use to his parole supervisor.
Jones will also have to provide details of his finances once in the community.
“Given the nature of your criminal activities and ties to organized crime, monetary gain is a consideration for return to illegal activity,” the decision said.
One of Jones’ co-accused in the case, Jujhar Singh Khun Khun, who also pleaded guilty to conspiracy, is eligible for parole but remains in custody.
And UN gangster Jason McBride pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted murder, admitting he shot an AK-47-style automatic rifle at the vehicle being driver by Amero on that sunny Sunday afternoon. McBride was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for 18 years.