Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Team Canada skip arrested for trafficking in counterfeit goods

[Photo - Bob Cowan]

Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong was arrested at a mail box service in Blaine Washington attempting to pick up a package containing 2,800 erectile dysfunction pills. He was charged with trafficking in counterfeit goods and accused of helping to distribute Chinese-made pills labeled as Viagra and Cialis, according to a report at seattlepi.com picked up by The Curling News.

"Speaking with investigators, Armstrong allegedly admitted to bringing multiple shipments of the drugs into Canada. He is alleged to have claimed he provided the drugs to another man, who in turn sold them at clubs in the Vancouver area.

Jailed following his arrest, Armstrong was released after posting bond on $20,000 bail. He is expected to return to U.S. District Court on April 30 for a preliminary hearing."


Were the charges to result in a conviction, it may affect Armstrong's future ability to travel to the USA.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, who would have thought? This is an obvious violation under the CCA's code of conduct for players. I wonder what this means for the national program?

Anonymous said...

I guess he is just like the rest of us, normal maybe a little criminal. I bet the WCF bans him from play!

. said...

These are just allegations. He is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law; not in a newspaper.

Anonymous said...

Well this has had to burst a few Jim Armstrong fan bubbles!!!!

This is not going to help the image of this sport what so ever. My god what was he thinking. Not only that but how on earht is he ever going to recover from this.

He will never have any credability again!

What a shame, a disgrace really!

Bruce Cameron said...

It appears there is a lot of truth in the old adage "you can't tell a book by its cover". It is a very unfortunate time for wheelchair curling. Regardless of what the outcome of this situation is....it is time for the rest of the wheelchair curlers to "step up" and move forward....we never were nor never will be tied to the "apron strings" of any one individual.

Anonymous said...

I am so disapointed, and saddened by this revelation. I just wonder how you went down this road no matter "the reason, or situation" that lead to your arrest. We all know right from wrong and those "GREY ZONES" This is not excusable. I feel very sorry for what this shadow will now cast upon the sport. I already this morning had both my mom and mother in law call me to look for explaination for what you are accused of - I just don't have an anwser for them - do you??

Anonymous said...

Innocent until proven guilty. Many people are supporting Jim and his career.

Anonymous said...

Many people think his is an idiot as well!!

I'll tell you, when I saw the headlines, I had to read the story, and it didn't say who the "unsub" was! I was totally shocked! What an idiot. May as well be another Tiger Woods. I can hear the "Oh, I'm so sorry" already... Blah, blah. He's sealed his own fate, hasn't he.

Anonymous said...

This is being treated by many as a joke, including the studio presenters at CBC news yesterday. Leaving aside the financial alleged crime (trademark infringement) these were drugs to be sold to actual people.

China has produced all sorts of news stories about adulterated products, including baby formula that killed babies. Who thinks that the pirate manufacturers of Viagra pills would be more considerate of the health of kids in Vancouver night clubs?

Jim Armstrong showed his moral flexibility when he was prepared to compete in a wheelchair users sport despite not using a wheelchair off the ice. This pill story does not surprise me.

Anonymous said...

We all know that news stories get embellished. Keep in mind this is ALLEGED, not GUILTY. Its obvious that all news sources go for the complete negative instantly and everyone judges instantly on those "facts." It would appear that many of the respondents to this blog are perfect.

Anonymous said...

Read the case file, he has admitted to it, GUILTY!!!

Come on stop defending, admit it, he screwed up and will pay for it, and unfortunately so will wheelchair curling, and his team mates.

We need to see him for what he is... a fraud. He fate the disability and as we can see a number of other things.

What a black eye!

Anonymous said...

Eric:

You are an interesting fellow. When you don't want comment contradictory to you, you disallow anonymous posts (like last month)m and when you welcome comment, you allow anonymous posts.

Everyone knows that things are not necessarily as they appear, and this is one of these.

Jim has gone through more this past year than anyone would dream of, beyond this, and he will get through it and I am sure, when the entire story is disclosed, everyone will sit back and reassess.

Anonymous said...

As pointed out, Eric,

Jim is innocent until proven guilty. That is a far as it goes right now. With all the media, one would think he got in a gunfight and shot a federal agent.

Everyone take a breath, and deal with things in due course.

Anonymous said...

Interesting how Jim's friends and supporters post anonymously and don't want their names associated with him.

Anonymous said...

Does this mean you are a friend?

95% of the posts on here are anonymous....the only way Eric gets responses is by allowing anonymous on any topic......get real

Anonymous said...

Let's not lose sight of the fact that all to date has been from one side of the ledger.

I would suggest everyone hold their tongues until Jim can actually have his say with his lawyer's okay.

We all know how things can get distorted and blown out of proportion with the media.

Anonymous said...

Very true, sensationalism is the heart of media. Let's see what develops

Matt D. said...

Oh Please.....

You all make me sick with your flip flop crap.

Read the case file, he is guilty by his own admission....the only thing left is to figure out if he will serve jail time or community service. I will say, no more trips will every be allowed for him to the USA and that may well extend to international travel under the new flights rules. Read a little law and you will all be better off.

STOP defending a fraud..... like it was said...he fake the disability, tried to traffic FAKE drugs this is what we know, we also know he has been doing it for a very long time.

Ask yourself this.....What else don't we know from the guy who has lied to count less people and straight to their face.

Reality check people....

Anonymous said...

Is that a personal attack? Has he lied to you?

Anonymous said...

The blogger above certianly seems to know more than anyone else, OR likes to read what he wants into it. So now Jim is a fraud with no disability....I bet he is innocent of this whole thing, for the simple reason that IT IS SO FAR OUT OF CHARACTER, and the poor guy cannot even defend himself in the public forum right now, but I am sure time will prove him right.

Bruce Cameron said...

I would like to begin by commending Matt D for putting his name to his beliefs and thoughts...once the facts as we know them and nothing but the facts are analysed....caught red handed, admitted that he knew what he was doing was illegal and still some "annie mousie" thinks he is innocent simply because it is so far out of character.....I acknowledge your line of thinking albeit I do not agree with it and that is what living in this wonderful country of ours allows us to do....now with that line of thinking I guess you think that the military Colonel in Trenton is innocent simply because it is so far out of character....think about that one for awhile....the next time u post something that are ur thoughts and that u believe on this blog site then be a strong person and put your real name to it....are u familiar with the old saying "shit or get off the pot" ... it applies here ....put your name to it or be quiet...its as simple as that....or maybe I didn't say that because it is so far out of character for me....for all u "Annie Mousies" .... putting ur real name to ur post is actually quite easy and it doesn't even hurt....no one has jumped out of my monitor and punched me in the face, no one has knocked on my door or phoned me with any life threatening suggestions....life goes on quite nicely.....u shud try it sometime.....u might even like it....

Anonymous said...

Bruce, your courage is also to be commended, but with the current system of "Old Boy's Club" in selecting pool members, it is only natural for some to want to keep a low profile with their comments. Consequences are not always as obvious as a punch in the face.