Two-year federal prison sentence expected
Ryan Coles, 35, of Drumheller, Alberta, appeared in provincial court by video on April 22 for sentencing after pleading guilty to one sex charge laid by the RCMP.
The crown and defence counsel agreed that a two-year federal prison sentence be recommended for the accused. Chief Judge Brian C. McLean reserved his decision until May 26 at 1:30 p.m. The judge said Coles will travel from Alberta to Woodstock to be present for the hearing.
Coles was charged with touching a female minor for a sexual purpose, invitation to sexual touching, and sexual assault in connection with an incident on Sept. 2, 2022, in Perth-Andover.
On Oct. 9, 2024, Coles appeared in provincial court for the continuation of his trial and changed his plea to guilty of touching a female minor for a sexual purpose (indictable). The crown withdrew the remaining two charges.
The court heard the victim testified at length during the trial about being sexually assaulted by the accused. A Snapchat conversation was also entered into evidence by the crown.
In addition to a prison sentence, Crown Prosecutor Cathleen Trafton recommended Coles be ordered to register with the federal DNA database and the national sex offender registry for 20 years. She also suggested that he should be prohibited from attending public places where children are present, and that he should never volunteer or work with children.
Defence Counsel T.J. Burke said his client was remorseful and had no prior criminal record. Burke argued that Coles had a positive pre-sentence report and a good work history, but lost his job due to the charges. The defence said the accused was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence.
Limestone man awaits sentencing
Riley Cowper, 20, of Limestone, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on April 22 after changing his plea to guilty on two charges related to a violent attack on another local man.
His sentencing was adjourned until May 14 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the completion of a victim impact statement.
RCMP charged Cowper with attempted murder by using a hammer and a wrench to assault Rodney Butler, mischief causing property damage to a car window, uttering threats, and robbery of a vehicle in connection with an incident on Aug. 10, 2024, at Jackson Falls.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser included offences of indictable assault with a weapon and indictable theft of a motor vehicle. The crown withdrew the remaining two charges. A federal prison sentence is expected for the accused.
Cowper was arrested on Aug. 13, 2024, and ordered to have no contact with Butler, who was treated at a hospital for injuries and later released. Cowper waived his bail and has been in custody since his arrest.
At an earlier hearing, the court heard that Cowper and Butler met at a swimming hole called the Rock Quarry on Critter Road outside of Woodstock. Butler was drinking that evening, so Cowper offered to drive him home to Bulls Creek. They left together in Butler’s vehicle around 10:30 p.m.
Much to Butler’s surprise, Cowper drove to a farm in Jackson Falls owned by his employer, Danny Metherall. Cowper told Butler the vehicle was low on gas, got out of the car and went into a shop nearby. Cowper then yelled for Butler to “come check this out.”
As Butler walked into the shop, Cowper struck him on the head, face and arms with a hammer and wrench. When Butler cried out, Cowper said, “Shut up,” so Butler played dead on the ground. Then he saw Cowper reaching for a bigger hammer.
Butler got up and ran back to his vehicle, but Cowper had the car keys. He followed Butler and used the hammer to smash out a window in the car. Butler then fled on foot and hid in a nearby cornfield while Cowper yelled for him to come back.
After the attack, Cowper went to Metherall’s residence and informed his boss he had “taken care of Butler” by beating him with a hammer. Cowper then left the property in Butler’s car.
Shortly after, Butler showed up at Metherall’s door covered in blood. He said Cowper tried to kill him. The police were called, and Butler was taken to the hospital. Blood was found on the tools and the shop floor.
Butler’s vehicle was later found burned in Fredericton, and his cell phone was located in Carleton Park on the city’s north side. Cowper turned himself in to the police.
Judge turns down guilty plea
Dale Boyle, 70, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court for sentencing on April 22 after pleading guilty to one charge laid by the RCMP.
After hearing the evidence, Judge Karen Lee said she could not accept Boyle’s plea because the statement of facts presented by the crown did not support a finding of guilt. The matter was set for trial on Feb. 13, 2026, and Feb. 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Boyle pleaded guilty to making a visual recording of another person without their consent when there was a reasonable expectation for privacy for an incident between Feb. 1 and Aug. 10, 2024, at Plaster Rock.
The court heard the charges involved two victims and a hidden camera, which was allegedly pointed toward a shower in a private bathroom.
After the statement of facts was read, Defence Counsel Peter Hyslop made a motion to withdraw his client’s guilty plea, and Judge Lee granted the motion. The crown will conduct a forensic analysis of the evidence prior to the trial. A monitoring date was set for May 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Fined $1,200 for firearm offence
Benjamin Greer, 27, of Weston, was fined $1,200 after pleading guilty on April 22 to one charge under the Fish and Wildlife Act.
Conservation officers charged Greer with discharging a firearm too close to a residence for an incident on Nov. 1, 2024, at Hodgdon Road.
Returning for plea
Samantha Graham, 34, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on April 22 to answer three charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 27 at 9:30 a.m. to allow her time to secure legal counsel.
Graham was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling it, and possession of a prohibited weapon (a spring-action knife), in connection with an incident on Aug. 8 -9, 2024, in Woodstock.
Held for bail hearing
Anthony Veysey, 51, of Pembroke, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 22 after being arrested on the weekend. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on April 24 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Veysey with unauthorized possession of a loaded firearm concerning an incident in Pembroke.
Remanded on breach charge
Gabriel Blake VanHorne, 24, of Hartley Settlement, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 22 after being arrested for breaching an undertaking. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on April 24 at 1:30 p.m.
VanHorne was in provincial court on March 25 and pleaded not guilty to a separate assault charge. His trial date was scheduled for April 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
VanHorne was charged by RCMP with assaulting a female victim stemming from an incident on Jan. 29 at Hartley Settlement. He was released on an undertaking until his trial.
Sentencing adjourned on sex charge
Matthew White, 42, of Upper Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on April 22 for sentencing on a sex charge laid by RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until July 15 at 1:30 p.m. to allow the completion of a victim impact statement.
The court heard further submissions from both the crown and defence will also be filed regarding a recommended sentence.
White appeared in provincial court in January for a verdict following his trial. Judge Karen Lee found him guilty. He was charged with invitation to sexual touching involving a female minor in connection with an incident on June 3, 2023, in Bloomfield. He pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations during the trial.
Facing seven charges
Lee Roy Durepos, 49, of Tobique Narrows, appeared in provincial court on April 22 to answer seven charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 20 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him time to secure legal counsel.
Durepos was charged with touching a female minor for a sexual purpose, invitation to sexual touching, and making sexually explicit materials available to a minor, concerning incidents between Jan. 1, 2023, and May 27, 2024, at Odell.
He was also charged with sexual assault, sexual assault while choking the victim, and uttering threats for another incident between Jan. 1, 2023, and Oct. 4, 2024, at Odell. Another charge of indecent exposure was laid for an incident alleged to have occurred between Sept. 1, 2021, and May 27, 2022, at Perth-Andover. Durepos was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
Returned to custody
Austin Aubin, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 22 after being arrested for breaching his release order. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on April 24 at 1:30 p.m.
Aubin appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 10 for a bail hearing on four charges laid by the RCMP. He was released with conditions, including a curfew and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Aubin was charged by RCMP with possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, breach of probation, unsafe storage of a firearm, and possession of a firearm without a licence concerning a March 27 incident at Neqotkuk.
He was scheduled to return to court for plea on April 29 at 1:30 p.m., but was taken back into custody.
Plea adjourned to new date
Jeffrey Richard Bull, 45, of Newburg, appeared in provincial court on April 22 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until May 13 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Bull appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on April 4 after being arrested for breaching his release order. He was released with conditions, including full house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
RCMP charged Bull with breaking into a dwelling house and breach of probation stemming from an incident on March 16 at Bulls Creek. The court heard that another charge is pending for possession of stolen property.
He is also scheduled for trial in provincial court on Aug. 7 and Aug. 29 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two other charges laid by Woodstock Police. A pre-trial conference was also set for June 27 at 1:30 p.m.
Bull was charged with aggravated assault and breach of probation concerning an incident on Sept. 8, 2024, at 2 a.m. when a man suffered a broken elbow after being struck by a bat on St. James Street in Woodstock. The alleged victim was a newcomer to the town for only three days.
Canterbury man charged
Chase Rodbard, 21, of Canterbury, appeared in provincial court on April 22 to answer two sets of charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 6 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Rodbard was charged with impaired driving and driving while suspended on Oct. 26, 2024, at Hay Settlement, and impaired driving and possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles) on Sept. 15, 2024, in Lower Woodstock. The court heard the defence is seeking a resolution with the crown.
Awaiting plea on two charges
Brandon Tomah, 36, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on April 22 to answer to charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Tomah was charged with resisting arrest on Jan. 26 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) and theft of a motor vehicle on Jan. 29 at Perth-Andover.
Trial set for Oakland man
Grant Rediker of Oakland appeared in provincial court on April 22 to answer multiple charges laid by the RCMP. He pleaded not guilty on all counts, and trial dates were set for May 1, 2026, and May 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A pre-trial conference was also set for March 13, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Rediker appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on March 13 and was released with conditions. He was charged by RCMP with assault with a weapon (a vehicle), possession of ammunition while prohibited, possession of a prohibited weapon without a licence, careless use of a firearm, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun, break and enter at a garage, and illegal possession of methamphetamine. The charges were laid in connection with an incident involving a female victim on March 12 at Oakland.
On April 22, Rediker was charged under the Excise Act with illegal possession of tobacco products on March 12 in Oakland. He returns to court for plea on that charge on May 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Charged with theft
William (Billy) Harding, 35, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on April 22 to answer theft charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 13 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Harding appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on March 13 and was released with conditions. He was charged by Woodstock Police with theft from the Superstore and breach of probation following an incident on Sept. 10, 2024, in Woodstock. A warrant was issued for a co-accused, Tammy Schloemer, 60, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), in relation to the same incident.
Harding was also charged with theft of a laptop in Perth-Andover on March 12, 2024; breach of probation on March 20, 2024; and breach of probation by failing to report between Dec. 12, 2023, and Sept. 3, 2024. He has a prior criminal record.
In custody awaiting trial
Mitchell LaFrance, 26, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 22 for monitoring about his trial in January. The matter was adjourned until May 6 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he will have legal counsel to proceed.
LaFrance was taken into custody on a charge of breaching his release order for an incident on Jan. 24 in Edmundston. He pleaded not guilty to other offences, and a trial date was set for Jan. 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged LaFrance in connection with an alleged breach of his house arrest on Dec. 7, 2024. He pleaded not guilty.
RCMP also charged him with breaching a no-contact order for an incident on Sept. 21, 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol. He also faces an additional charge of assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim stemming from an incident on July 19, 2024, at Carlingford. He pleaded not guilty.
LaFrance was sentenced to 99 days in jail when he appeared in provincial court on Feb. 13 after pleading guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP. He was also placed on probation for 12 months.
He pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking by failing to comply with a no-contact order at East Brighton on Oct. 2, 2023.
He also pleaded guilty to criminal harassment for incidents between Aug. 28 and Sept. 25, 2023, in Lower Brighton, involving the same female complainant. The court heard he tried to contact the same female victim hundreds of times by phone, text message and on Facebook. The crown withdrew a threat charge.
Warrant on file
Joseph Diamond, 43, of Woodstock, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on April 22 for plea on a sex charge laid by Woodstock Police. He failed to appear, and a warrant will be held on file.
Diamond was charged with sexual assault involving a minor in connection with an incident on April 27, 2024, in Woodstock.
Moved to alternative measures
Ashley Marie Bernard, 39, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on April 22 to answer three charges laid by RCMP. The matter was moved to the alternative measures program with the consent of the crown.
Bernard was charged with theft and breach of probation on June 18, 2024, and breach of probation on Sept. 5, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
She has until July 22 at 9:30 a.m. to complete the program’s requirements in order to have the charge withdrawn.
Facing two flight charges
David Fleming, 19, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on April 22 to answer two flight charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 13 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Fleming was charged with two counts of fleeing police on Feb. 15 in Beaconsfield and Aroostook.
Bath man to stand trial
Michael James Watson, 30, of Bath, will appear in provincial court on April 23 at 1 p.m. for further monitoring about his trial.
RCMP charged Watson with assault with a weapon (a shovel), mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, dangerous driving and driving while suspended concerning an incident on Nov. 5, 2023, in Bath. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for May 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Watson appeared in court on April 22 for monitoring and said he had not yet secured legal counsel. The crown intends to make a motion to have counsel appointed to cross-examine the victim.
Extension for alternative measures
Rachel Sockabasin, 40, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on April 22 for monitoring about her efforts with the alternative measures program.
She was granted an extension to complete the program requirements by June 17 at 9:30 a.m. to have the charge withdrawn.
Sockabasin was charged by RCMP with breach of an undertaking, breach of probation and three counts of theft concerning incidents on Feb. 12, Aug. 11, 2023, and Dec. 22, 2023, at the Ultramar in Carlingford.
She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was scheduled for Jan. 17. At that time, the matter was moved to the alternative measures program with the consent of the crown, and the trial was cancelled.
Neqotkuk man awaiting trial
Brock Vollmar, 48, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on April 22 for monitoring about his trial on an assault charge laid by RCMP.
Vollmar was charged with assault involving a female victim for an incident on May 6, 2024, at Neqotkuk. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 14 at 9:30 a.m. Another monitoring date was set for June 17 at 9:30 a.m.
Vallmar informed the court on Tuesday that he did not have legal counsel to proceed with the trial. The crown requested that counsel be appointed for the cross-examination of the victim.
