Cold Lake Tattoo Artist Faces Up to Nine Years for Sexual Assaults

Dale Amos remains free on bail while a judge decides later this month whether the Cold Lake tattoo artist will spend nearly a decade in prison.

 

Case Heard in St. Paul

 

On Friday, a judge in St. Paul heard sentencing arguments for 69-year-old Dale Amos, convicted earlier this year of 11 counts of sexual assault. The assaults happened between 2010 and 2023, while Amos worked at a Cold Lake tattoo shop.

 

Crown Seeks Prison Time

 

Crown prosecutor Dallas Sopko asked for a nine-year sentence, calling Amos “predatory.” Sopko told the court the women were assaulted while vulnerable and now carry permanent tattoos that serve as painful reminders.

 

“These are serious sexual assaults,” Sopko said. “On the spectrum, they’re on the higher end.”

 

One victim described the experience as “crappy, sick (and) depraved” after she was assaulted while getting a matching tattoo with her daughter.

 

Defence Wants Community Sentence

 

Amos’s lawyer argued that prison isn’t necessary. He pushed for a conditional sentence to be served in the community, pointing to Amos’s age, health, and what he called remorse.

 

The defence also challenged the Crown’s view that tattoos as permanent reminders should add weight to sentencing.

 

Decision Later This Month

 

Amos was charged in May 2023 after multiple women came forward. He was later found guilty on all counts.

 

Justice James Neilson will announce his decision on Sept. 29.