Jerry Morin and Chris Lisak, accused in the Coates border siege, have pleaded guilty.

Two men charged in connection with an RCMP investigation into the 2022 Coates border protest have pleaded guilty, an Alberta court has heard.

A Lethbridge court heard Jerry Morin pleaded guilty Tuesday to dealing in firearms.

In a similar sentence, Christopher Lysak pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, unlawful possession of a handgun, a crime not included in the original indictment.

Additional charges against the pair, including murder, possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct, were dropped by the Crown.

Morin and Lysak were both sentenced to time served, which counted for two years in prison before they were sentenced.

As a result, both were released from custody.

Morin's attorney, Greg Dunn, issued a written statement in which his client insisted “from the outset he was not involved in any alleged conspiracy.”

“(He) is pleased and grateful that the Crown has withdrawn these charges and related charges,” Dunn said.

Although Morin pleaded guilty in the case, Dunn says it doesn't tell the whole picture.

“Mr. Morin's (ed) guilty plea does not indicate that Mr. Morin at any time provided a firearm to Coates, only that he consented.

“It is unfortunate that Mr. Morin spent two years of his life in prison waiting for this day. By the way, now when this day is born, he is looking forward to seeing his family and continuing his life.”

One of Coates' protesters, Jerry Morin, who was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, was released from custody after pleading guilty to a lesser charge. (File)

Lysak's attorney, Daniel Song, said his client did not have the gun for a dangerous purpose and “did not go to the Coates protests with the intention of harming anyone.”

“He admits that his firearm was loaded with ammunition when he was apprehended by police, but denies that he loaded the gun and put it in the chamber,” Song wrote in a statement to CTV News.

“Mr. Lysak will be released today and will return home. He is looking forward to moving on with his life and his family.”

Chris Lisak pleaded guilty to carrying a handgun without a permit at the Coates protest, but his attorney says he didn't hurt anyone there. (File)

Morin and Lysak were arrested on February 14, 2022, when an RCMP raid on a protest camp near Coates, Alta., uncovered a cache of firearms and ammunition.

Doug King, a professor of criminal justice at Mount Royal University, said Tuesday's incident “reveals that the Crown had doubts they could secure a conviction on the more serious charges.”

“It's not surprising that this happened. I think what made me pause is that it was probably late in the process,” he said.

“These two people have been in custody for almost two years.

Along with Morin and Lisak, Chris Carbert and Anthony Olienik were two others charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

“I have no doubt that the two who are in custody now will be offered plea deals. We're probably not going to drop the serious charges. If you plead guilty, we're going to offer a reduced sentence,” King said.

“I think the two who are currently in custody are on trial. We have to assume that will happen until we know otherwise.”

With files from Quinn Keenan