Diosdada ‘Sunny’ Lagman was given a seven-year sentence after admitting to multiple charges linked to illegal weapon possession and storage
Diosdada “Sunny” Lagman grew up in the U. S. but was deported to Canada, where his passion for firearms has led to a seven-year prison term. He pleaded guilty earlier this week at the Barrie courthouse to 32 charges concerning illegal possession and storage of weapons.
Initially, Lagman faced over 100 charges after South Simcoe police searched his home on Hunter Street in Innisfil and discovered a large stockpile of weapons, ammunition, and other banned items.
The plea deal was agreed upon by both the Crown and Lagman’s lawyer, Michael Kachkar.
“This was not a momentary lapse in judgment,” said Crown attorney Melisa Montemurro.
According to an agreed statement of facts, a domestic call made to police more than a year before his arrest initiated an investigation into Lagman’s gun ownership side business despite him running a successful contracting and renovation firm in Innisfil.
This interaction with law enforcement eventually led to Lagman’s firearms license being revoked by January 2024.
Lagman, 52, had been ordered to surrender his guns; however, police received tips indicating he still possessed them, prompting action on March 5 at his residence on Hunter Street.
He was arrested that day and has remained in custody since then.
Court proceedings revealed that he also posed as a gunsmith and legitimate dealer. Four legal gun owners brought their firearms to him for repair or attempted to buy from him even though he wasn’t licensed as either a dealer or gunsmith.
The police found around 20 different firearms during their search, including high-capacity rifles along with sufficient ammunition. The collection included both restricted and unrestricted weapons (a license is still necessary in Canada for unrestricted weapons).
No evidence was presented in court showing that any of the seized or sold firearms were used for criminal activities. At the time of Lagman’s arrest, authorities were still trying to determine if he possessed them solely for personal use or if he was involved in trafficking them.
Kachkar noted that Lagman’s interest in firearms clouded his better judgment.
“Mr. Lagman lived most of his life in the U. S.,” said Kachkar outside court. “There is often a disconnect between how American law and Canadian law looks at these matters.”
Superior Court Justice Robert Charney approved the joint submission along with the seven-year sentence but remarked that it was “lenient” considering the vast amount of weaponry and ammunition found. Ultimately, he agreed with the plea bargain because Lagman accepted responsibility by pleading guilty and provided clear evidence supporting his character within the community.
The court heard that Lagman had an unrelated minor criminal history in the U. S., which resulted in his deportation back in 2013 when he moved to Canada. While it wasn’t clarified whether he held Canadian citizenship at birth or acquired it post-deportation, it was mentioned that he had legal status in the U. S. until it got revoked due to criminal activity.
Lagman’s family primarily lives stateside, including two biological children who are employed in law enforcement roles along with two stepchildren whom he “loves as they were his own,” according to Kachkar.
With credit for time spent awaiting trial, Lagman has nearly five years remaining on his sentence. Although he expressed regret through an apology, he chose not to make additional comments.
“My counsel has pretty much said everything (I want) to say,” said Lagman from the prisoner’s dock.
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