A Dawson Creek man with a long and violent criminal history is back behind bars. The RCMP said they have charged Jesse Ray Stevens after he was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Stevens is facing eight new charges including discharging a firearm, two counts of possessing a firearm contrary to being ban from possession one and being in the possession of body armor.
The charges are in relation to an alleged shots fired incident in June, in the 900-block of 91 A Avenue in Dawson Creek.
On Tuesday, a witness told CJDC TV that they spotted Stevens in front of the liquor store at the Dawson Creek Mall. A description of Stevens and the vehicle he drove away in, was then given to police.
The witness said Stevens was wearing an eyepatch, after his eye was badly damaged in an altercation months ago. Stevens was spotted the next day by a Dawson Creek RCMP officer and arrested.
Stevens is no stranger to police. In November 2023, Dawson Creek RCMP alleged a house on 6th Street and 97th Avenue was broken into. In May 2024, Stevens was arrested and charged with attempted murder and robbery.
Despite pleas for a Provincial Court Judge to do his job and think of the safety of the residents of Dawson Creek, Stevens was released on bail. In a rare occurrence, then MLA Mike Bernier urged Judge David Ruse to protect the public, after Stevens was on the run for 4 months.
Judge Ruse ignored pleas from Bernier and the Crown Prosecutor and released Stevens.
Then in June of this year, CJDC TV reported the attempted murder and robbery charges Stevens was facing were dismissed. Stevens was set to go to trial, however a witness refused to testify.
It’s not the first time Stevens tried to allegedly evade police. In November 2021, Stevens was on the run, wanted for aggravated assault. Stevens surrendered to police and was once again released on bail.
In the past, Dawson Creek RCMP warned the public to not confront Stevens as he was considered to be dangerous.
Steven’s half- brother Tanner Murray is also in jail awaiting trial in Grande Prairie. Stevens is currently in police custody pending a bail hearing.