Photo: Castanet file photo

A Vernon judge rejected a criminal’s claim of indigenous ancestry.

Angela Fagan was in Vernon provincial court Wednesday on fraud and theft charges, where she claimed to be of Shawnee heritage.

Provincial court Judge David Patterson said he had not received a Gladue report — a type of pre-sentence report that provides insight into the circumstances of Indigenous offenders. He also said that the Shawnee people Fagan claimed were not in Canada.

He noted that he was given no sold proof of her indigenous ancestry, only self-reporting from the woman.

“Everybody in Canada now knows that if you claim to be Indigenous, some judges might be more lenient. So what do I do with all this?” Patterson said.

It is unclear why a Gladue report was not completed, but Patterson did not accept Fagan’s indigenous claims for use in sentencing.

Fagan pleaded guilty to one count of fraud under $5,000 and one count of theft under $5,000 stemming from two separate incidents.

In July 2022, Fagan and her boyfriend, who was described as the main culprit, posted an ad on Facebook renting out a fake basement apartment in Alberta. The ad asked for a deposit and first month’s rent totaling $1,800 to own the apartment, which a victim electronically transferred.

Then, in April of this year, Fagan was caught by loss prevention officers at the Vernon Superstore trying to leave with $165.77 worth of unpaid merchandise.

Fagan was sentenced to 12 months’ home detention with restorative justice elements on the basis that she had a nine-year gap in her criminal record.

Fagan must complete 50 hours of community service by July 31, 2025. He will also be required to repay the $1,800 he fraudulently obtained.