Sentencing Friday in sophisticated fraud scheme
A Greenfield woman is scheduled to return to court on Friday, July 18, for sentencing related to a sophisticated fraud scheme she used at the drug store where she worked in Florenceville Bristol.
Beverley Dawn Kenneson, 55, appeared in provincial court on July 15 for sentencing after pleading guilty to a fraud charge laid by the RCMP.
After hearing submissions from both the crown and defence counsel, Judge Karen Lee reserved her decision on sentence until July 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Kenneson was charged with defrauding Smith Drugs Ltd., stemming from incidents between July 11 and July 23, 2022, in Florenceville-Bristol. She pleaded guilty to the fraud, and the crown withdrew a theft charge.
Crown Prosecutor Rodney Jordan and Defence Counsel James Crocco both recommended Kenneson receive three months of house arrest and 12 months of probation for the offence. She had no prior criminal record.
The court heard Kenneson was a long-time employee at the store in charge of inventory and pricing. She had access to the store’s computer system and altered inventory and sales records to obtain products for her own personal use without paying for them. She kept a stash of the miscellaneous items she collected in a box under her desk. During a two-week period, she had under $200 worth of merchandise in her possession when she was discovered.
“The value is low but the method is complex,” Judge Lee said about the evidence.
Crown Prosecutor Rodney Jordan told the court Kenneson’s actions amounted to a breach of trust. He stated that the accused held a leadership position when she betrayed her new employer, who had taken over the store in 2022.
Store owner and pharmacist Stacey Bergin read a victim impact statement to the court, explaining how the fraud “violated” the store’s computer files, while the lengthy legal process that followed had been stressful for the business and other staff. At one point, Bergin stated that she was faced with a wrongful dismissal complaint after firing the accused, but to date, that complaint has not been pursued.
Defence Counsel James Crocco said Kenneson paid restitution for the cost of the stolen items. He explained the store’s former owner allowed employees to take home discontinued merchandise and also sold staff items at cost plus 10 percent. When Bergin came in as the new employer with a different outlook, Kenneson developed her own system.
“Things changed so she hid it,” Judge Lee commented.
The crown said Kenneson should undergo counselling and be ordered to stay away from Smith’s Drug Store. The court heard that she is now employed by her former boss, who gave her the freebies.
Sentencing adjourned on drug trafficking charge
Mohammed Karam Abualhawa, 24, of Fredericton, appeared in provincial court on July 15 for sentencing on a drug trafficking charge. The sentencing was adjourned until Sept. 2 at 1:30 p.m. with the consent of the crown. A monitoring date was set for Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Abualhawa was found guilty by Judge Karen Lee after his trial. He was charged by RCMP with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking following an incident on Feb. 21, 2023, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). The charge was laid in connection with a search of a vehicle. Police seized a quantity of cocaine in nine bags, a debit card and $900 in cash.
Held for bail hearing
Loic Boulay, 22, of Oromocto, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on July 15 to answer five new charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on July 17 at 1:30 p.m.
Boulay was charged with breaching a no-contact order, unlawful confinement, assaulting a female victim, assault by choking and uttering threats for an incident on July 15 in Northampton. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
He also appeared in provincial court on July 8 and pleaded not guilty to the two additional charges laid by the Woodstock Police. His trial was set for May 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Boulay was charged with breaching a no-contact order and breaking into a residence on St. John Street on May 25 in Woodstock. The crown withdrew another charge of mischief.
Sentencing decision reserved
Matthew White, 42, of Upper Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on July 15 for sentencing on a sex charge laid by RCMP.
After hearing submissions from both the crown and defence counsel, Judge Karen Lee reserved her decision on sentence until Oct. 14 at 9:30 a.m.
In January, White appeared in provincial court for a verdict following his trial. Judge 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.
Crown Prosecutor Rodney Jordan recommended a sentence of at least 90 days in jail and 12 months of probation. He said White should seek counselling and be ordered to register with the federal DNA database and the national sex offender registry. He had a limited prior criminal record containing no other sex offences.
Defence Counsel T.J. Burke requested two years of house arrest with strict conditions for the accused. He said the ordeal had a “deep personal impact” on his client, who has been shaken by the publicity surrounding the case. In addition, Burke noted that certain social media posts contained serious misinformation that hurt the accused.
White has a construction business and is responsible for several employees. He is working full-time and may decide to appeal the trial decision.
11 charges in road rage incident
An Upper Woodstock man is facing 11 charges in relation to a road rage incident on May 27 at the intersection of Main Street and Deakin Drive in Woodstock.
Wyatt Mark Belyea, 28, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 14 to answer the charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Belyea was charged with uttering threats, pointing a firearm at another person, driving while prohibited, carelessly transporting a firearm, possession of a gun (a SKS semi-automatic rifle) without a licence, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a weapon, possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, failing to surrender a firearm licence when required, assaulting a police officer with a weapon (a vehicle), flight from police, and refusing a breathalyzer demand.
Belyea appeared in court in custody via teleconference on May 28 and waived his bail until a later date. Following his arrest, a long-barreled rifle with an attached bayonet was located and seized from a pickup truck. He has a prior criminal record.
Awaiting sentencing in October
Brandon Levesque, 26, of Wapske, appeared in provincial court on July 14 for a verdict following his trial on assault charges laid by RCMP.
He was found guilty of assault involving a female victim, but not guilty of assault by choking for an incident on Oct. 11, 2024, in Gordonsville. He pleaded guilty to breaching his curfew and assaulting police during the same incident. A sentencing date was set for Oct. 20 at 1:30 p.m.
After spending months in remand, Levesque was released from custody in June. He was also charged with breaking into a dwelling house and mischief, causing property damage to a door on July 30, 2024, in Plaster Rock and assault with a weapon (a rock) involving a female victim on July 28, 2024, in Plaster Rock.
He received a directed verdict of not guilty for the assault with the rock on June 11 because the crown called no evidence. Another breach charge for an incident on Nov. 7, 2024, was withdrawn by the crown.
Levesque appeared in court in custody on Nov. 12, 2024, for a bail hearing and waived his bail until a later date. He was arrested in October and released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, but was brought back into custody.
Guilty of leaving accident scene
Deidra Fowler, 50, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on July 14 and changed her plea to guilty on one charge laid by RCMP.
Fowler was charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident concerning an incident on May 27, 2023, at Wotstak. Her sentencing date was set for Sept. 9 at 1:30 p.m.
Possession of child pornography
Corey Dean Bartlett, 56, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 15 for plea on a charge of possession of child pornography. The matter was adjourned for plea until Aug. 19 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Bartlett waved his bail until later. RCMP charged him in connection with an incident in February 2017 at Tobique Narrows.
In custody awaiting trial
Jason Norman Dumont, 40, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on July 15 for a monitoring hearing regarding his trial. He confirmed he has legal counsel to proceed to trial after pleading not guilty to several charges laid by the RCMP. His trial dates were set for July 21 at 1:30 p.m. and July 23 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Dumont with three counts of uttering threats, assault causing bodily harm, assault by choking, and breach of a peace bond. He was charged in connection with a series of incidents between March 17 and May 4 in Woodstock, between July 1 and 5, 2023, in Mount Pleasant, and on Oct. 24, 2015, in Mount Pleasant.
He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on May 12 and was remanded to jail.
Guilty pleas on seven charges
Nekko Dominique, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on July 15 and pleaded guilty to seven charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing date was set for Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Dominique pleaded guilty to breach of probation on Jan. 21 at Neqotkuk; theft of a cash box from a shop at Neqotkuk on March 26; breaching his curfew on June 23 at Neqotkuk; mischief causing property damage to the interview room at the RCMP station on June 26; mischief causing damage to his ankle bracelet on July 2 at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation); breach of a release order on July 2 at Perth-Andover, and resisting arrest in Perth-Andover on July 9.
He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on July 11 and waived his bail.
Neqotkuk man released with conditions
Brock Vollmar, 48, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on July 14 and was released with conditions. He returns to court for plea on July 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Vollmar was charged by RCMP with unlawful confinement, assault involving a female victim, and uttering threats for an incident on July 9 at Neqotkuk. He is also facing a theft charge in connection with an incident at the Ultramar in Carlingford.
Vollmar was also slated for trial on July 14 after pleading not guilty to assault involving a female victim for an incident on May 6, 2024, at Neqotkuk. The crown withdrew those charges on Monday, and the trial was cancelled.
Returning for plea
Carly Rae Muzzerolle, 30, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on July 15 for plea on one charge laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until July 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Muzzerolle appeared in provincial court in custody on June 23 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. RCMP charged her with flight from police.
She will also appear for trial in provincial court on Feb. 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to a stolen property charge laid by the RCMP. She pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on March 4.
Awaiting trial date
Timothy Brian Wheelan, 37, of Jacksonville, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. to set a date for his trial on threat charges.
RCMP charged Wheelan with two counts of uttering threats in connection with an incident on March 17 in Jacksonville. He pleaded not guilty on June 24 and then returned to court on July 15 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Moved to alternative measures
Danielle Marie Francis of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on July 15 for plea on one charge laid by the RCMP. The matter was moved to the alternative measures program.
Francis was charged with unlawful entry at a dwelling house in connection with an incident on Jan. 12 at Carlingford. She was ordered to stay away from the Perth-Andover Motor Inn when she made her first court appearance on June 3.
Francis has until Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m. to complete the program’s requirements to have the charge withdrawn.
Charged with robbery
Chad Clark, 47, of Mount Pleasant, appeared in provincial court on July 15 after pleading not guilty to a robbery charge laid by RCMP. He returns to court on Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date. He told the court he needs more time to secure legal counsel.
Clark was charged with robbery with violence in connection with the theft of a vehicle on Feb. 5 at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation).
Trial set on assault charge
Lewis Broad, 65, of Holmesville, appeared in provincial court on July 15 and pleaded not guilty to an assault charge laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Aug. 20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Broad was charged with assaulting another man on Feb. 11 in Florenceville-Bristol. A monitoring date for his trial was also set for June 30, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Neqotkuk man gets diversion
Rodney Paul, 29, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on July 15 for plea on two charges. The matter was diverted to the alternative measures program.
Paul was charged with uttering threats and mischief, causing property damage to a door concerning an incident on Feb. 21 at Neqotkuk. He has until Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m. to complete the program’s requirements to have the charges withdrawn.
Facing threat charge
Peti Augustino Peti, 33, of Lakeville, appeared in provincial court on July 15 for plea on a threat charge. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
RCMP charged Peti with uttering threats involving a female victim. The court heard a resolution is being sought with the crown in time for the next court appearance.
Trial pending on multiple charges
Gabriel John Tomah, 21, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on July 15 and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges laid by RCMP. His trial was set for Oct. 8-9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A pre-trial conference was also booked for Nov. 4 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Tomah with sexual assault, assault causing bodily harm, pointing a firearm at another person, and possession of a weapon to commit an offence. He appeared in court in custody on May 7 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Arrested warrant issued
Michelle McMann of Perth-Andover was scheduled to appear in provincial court on July 15 for plea on two charges laid by the RCMP. She appeared by teleconference and stated that she had no means of getting to court. An arrest warrant was issued to have her picked up by police.
McMann appeared in provincial court in custody on June 11 after being arrested for an alleged altercation with police. RCMP charged her with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest on March 13 at Perth-Andover. She was released from custody with conditions until her next court appearance.
Released on undertaking
Benjamin Watson, 40, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on July 29 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge. He was scheduled for plea on July 15, when the matter was adjourned to a new date.
Woodstock Police charged Watson with assault involving a female victim, stemming from an incident on May 19 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on June 3 and was released on an undertaking.
Awaiting plea
Brett Roger Chase, 26, of Central Waterville, appeared in provincial court on July 15 to answer one charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Chase was charged with fleeing police following an incident in Woodstock. He was arrested on a warrant and released with conditions after failing to appear in court on March 18. On Tuesday, the court heard that the matter may be transferred to Fredericton, where he has other charges.
Failed to appear
Earl James Demerchant, 35, of Woodstock, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on July 15 for plea on several charges laid by Woodstock Police. He failed to appear in court, and an arrest warrant was issued.
Demerchant appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on March 10 and was released with conditions. Woodstock Police charged him with breaching his release order for an incident on March 8.
Woodstock Police also charged Demerchant with assaulting police, resisting arrest and breach of probation following an incident on Jan. 19 in Woodstock. RCMP also charged him with breaching probation for an incident on Nov. 3, 2024, in Waterville. His last court appearance was on July 8.
Plea adjourned
Nicholas Andrew Scott, 39, of Limestone, appeared in provincial court on July 15 for plea on three charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Scott was charged with flight from police, dangerous driving and mischief causing property damage to a door following an incident on Dec. 2, 2024, at NBCC Woodstock.
Returning for plea
Jeffrey Baker Christensen, 57, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court on July 29 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge.
RCMP charged Christensen with assault involving a female victim, stemming from an incident on March 23 at Perth-Andover. He was scheduled for plea on July 15, when the matter was adjourned to a new date.
