Snokist pleads guilty to one charge, second charge withdrawn
Snokist Ltd. of Hartford pleaded guilty to one charge when it was set to stand trial in Woodstock on Wednesday, July 9, on two charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Defence Counsel Peter Crocco entered a not-guilty plea on the company’s behalf when it first appeared in court in 2024.
The Woodstock-area Christmas tree farming business was charged with allowing a person to ride on a vehicle not designed for passengers and failing to take every precaution to ensure the safety of employees, following a workplace accident at a tree harvesting operation on Nov. 9, 2022, near Gordonsville. One person was seriously injured during the accident. They pleaded guilty to the charge of allowing a person to ride on a vehicle not designed for passengers. The second charge was withdrawn.
Snokist will be sentenced when the company appears in court again on July 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Failed to appear
The court issued an arrest warrant for Zachery Don Brooks, 21, of Lower Brighton, after he failed to appear in provincial court for plea on July 8 on 20 charges laid by the RCMP.
Brooks appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on June 19 and was released from custody with conditions (ankle bracelet).
Brooks was charged with five counts of assault involving a female victim, four counts of assault by choking, three counts of unlawful confinement, two counts of uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a phone cord), assault while threatening to use a weapon (a knife), possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, mischief causing damage to a cell phone, and two counts of breaching a release order (no contact).
The charges were laid in connection with a series of incidents on Nov. 24, 2024, Feb. 12, Feb. 17, May 28, June 9, June 10 and June 11, in Lower Brighton; on June 3 and June 5 in Hartland, and on Feb. 19, 2025, in Woodstock. He was arrested and taken into custody on June 12.
Charges withdrawn
Lane Leo Lewis, 24, of Perth-Andover, appeared for trial in provincial court on July 7 after pleading not guilty to four charges laid by RCMP. The crown withdrew the charges, and the trial was cancelled.
Lewis was charged with assault while carrying a weapon (a machete and two BB guns), assault, and two counts of possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence in connection with an incident on Oct. 4, 2023, near Perth-Andover. The charges involved a female victim. He was held in custody and then released with conditions.
Waived bail, awaiting sentence
Tanna Wright, 27, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 7 for a bail hearing. She waived her bail until later and returns to court for sentencing on Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Wright appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 17 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle. She was residing at a residence in Woodstock but was re-arrested.
On May 1, she appeared in provincial court for trial and changed her plea to guilty on five charges laid by the RCMP. Her sentencing was rescheduled for Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Wright pleaded guilty to breaching a no-contact order concerning an incident on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 at Weaver. Several other charges were withdrawn by the crown.
She also pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon (knives and a bat) and two counts of uttering threats on Dec. 16, 2023, in Greenfield, and guilty to theft of a wallet for a separate incident on June 19, 2024, in Perth-Andover.
Change of plea, sentencing set
Matthew Gregory Parker, 40, of Aroostook, appeared for trial in provincial court on July 7 and changed his plea to guilty on charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing date was set for Oct. 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Parker pleaded guilty to breaking into a dwelling house, mischief (causing damage to a vehicle), and breaching an undertaking for an incident that occurred on Aug. 11. 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol. Several other charges were withdrawn by the crown.
Before his change of plea, trial proceedings began on July 3 in relation to an alleged assault at a residence in Florenceville-Bristol on June 30, 2024. He appeared in court in custody on Aug. 9, 2024, and was released with conditions.
Gladwyn man awaits sentencing
Billy Joe Pelletier, 37, of Gladwyn, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on July 9 at 1:30 p.m. He was found guilty after a trial in April on a charge of impaired driving.
Pelletier was charged by RCMP with impaired driving in connection with an incident on Nov. 9, 2023, in Rowena. The crown is seeking jail time since Pelletier has previous convictions for the same offence.
Confirmed legal counsel
Gary Ross, 45, of Richmond Settlement, appeared in provincial court on July 8 for a monitoring hearing regarding his trial on an assault charge.
Ross was charged by RCMP with assaulting another man in connection with an incident on Feb. 22, 2024, at Perth-Andover. He confirmed that he has legal counsel to proceed to trial on Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
Aroostook man charged
Edward Fitzherbert, 48, of Aroostook, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on charges laid by RCMP.
Fitzherbert was charged with two counts of uttering threats and assaulting another man with a weapon (a baseball bat) stemming from an incident on March 21 at Aroostook. He was scheduled to answer the charge on July 8 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Returning for plea
Jesse Demerchant, 33, of Windsor, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on several charges laid by RCMP.
Demerchant appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 2 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was scheduled for plea on July 8 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Demerchant was charged with breaching a no-contact order and resisting arrest on May 29 at Windsor, and assault, assault with a weapon, and assault by choking involving a female victim on May 14 at Windsor.
Facing sex charges
David Hayden, 73, of Tracey Mills, appeared in provincial court on July 8 and pleaded not guilty to two sex charges. His trial date was set for March 18-19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Hayden was charged by RCMP with sexual assault and solicitation of a minor for sexual services concerning an incident on Sept. 12, 2023, at Florenceville-Bristol. A monitoring date for his trial was also scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Awaiting plea on two charges
Robert McFarlane, 39, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared in provincial court on July 8 to answer two charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
McFarlane was charged with uttering threats and theft of cigarettes in connection with an incident on Feb. 15 at Florenceville-Bristol.
RCMP also charged him with assaulting another man on April 4 at Florenceville-Bristol, breaking into a dwelling house, committing mischief causing property damage to a door, and breach of an undertaking on May 4 in Johnville. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was rescheduled for Nov. 26 at 9:30 a.m.
MacFarlane appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 11, 2024, and was released with conditions. As part of his release, McFarlane was ordered to follow a curfew, have no contact with the complainant and stay away from a residence in Johnville. He was also prohibited from using firearms.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Christopher Elliott, 35, of Wapske, after he failed to appear in provincial court on July 8 for plea on charges laid by the RCMP.
Elliott appeared in provincial court in custody via video on April 10 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. The RCMP charged him with breaking into a dwelling house and breaching probation in connection with an incident on March 31 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation). He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants.
Charged with trafficking, assault
Michelle Augustine of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) will appear in provincial court on July 9 to answer a drug trafficking charge and an assault charge.
Augustine was charged by RCMP with trafficking in cocaine in connection with an incident on Aug. 30, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She was also charged with assaulting another woman with a weapon (a stick) on April 29 at Neqotkuk.
Warrant on file
Nicholas Andrew Scott, 39, of Limestone, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on July 8 for plea on three charges laid by Woodstock Police. He did not appear, and a warrant will be held on file until his next court date.
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.
Not guilty on breach charge
Johnny Lee Bloodsworth, 39, of Arthurette, appeared in provincial court on July 8 and pleaded not guilty to a charge of breaching his release order. His trial was set for July 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
The RCMP charged Bloodsworth in connection with an incident that occurred between January 31 and May 30 in Arthurette. He was arrested and released on conditions.
He also appeared in provincial court for the continuation of his trial on May 22 after pleading not guilty to multiple sex charges laid by the RCMP.
After a half-day of testimony, the trial was adjourned again for further continuation on Aug. 14 at 9:30 a.m. The alleged offences involve two complainants.
Bloodsworth was charged with four counts of sexual assault and eight counts of touching a female minor for a sexual purpose in connection with incidents between July 10, 2023 and Sept. 4, 2023, at Arthurette. He pleaded not guilty.
Bloodsworth also pleaded not guilty to sexual assault, two counts of touching a female minor for a sexual purpose, and uttering threats in connection with an incident between April 1, 2023 and Sept. 1, 2023, at Arthurette.
Two firearm charges were laid against him for a separate incident on June 14, 2024, at Arthurette, but were later withdrawn by the crown.
Bloodsworth appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 25, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was ordered to follow a curfew and reside at a residence in Grand Falls.
Trial pending on two charges
Loic Boulay, 22, of Oromocto, appeared in provincial court on July 8 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by 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.
Pembroke man to stand trial
Anthony Veysey, 51, of Pembroke, appeared in provincial court on July 8 and pleaded not guilty to three firearm charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was booked for Aug. 17, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Veysey appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 24 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
He was charged by RCMP with unauthorized possession of a loaded firearm, careless use of a firearm, and possession of a firearm for a dangerous purpose, following an incident in Pembroke on April 19.
Plea delayed until next week
Earl James Demerchant, 35, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on July 8 for plea on several charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until July 15 at 9:30 a.m., when his legal counsel will be available.
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. He was also charged by the RCMP with breaching probation for an incident on Nov. 3, 2024, in Waterville.
Charged with fleeing police
Olivia Annette Young, 32, of Woodstock, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on July 8 for plea on a flight charge laid by Woodstock Police. Her legal counsel entered a not-guilty plea on her behalf, and a trial date was set for July 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Young was charged with fleeing police, stemming from an incident on Aug. 17, 2024, in Woodstock.
She appeared in provincial court on April 29 and pleaded not guilty to two other charges laid by Woodstock Police. Her trial was set for Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Young was charged with flight from police and dangerous driving concerning an incident on Sept. 13, 2024, in Woodstock. She is also awaiting trial on Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m. in relation to a charge of breaching her curfew.
Wotstak man has multiple trial dates
Takoda Louis Lee Christian, 19, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on July 8 and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.
Christian was released under full house arrest on June 23 to a rehab facility in Nova Scotia for treatment for addiction. He appeared in court in custody on May 29 after being arrested for breaching his release order.
He was charged by Woodstock Police with breach of a release order (house arrest) on April 16 at Wotstak, breach of a no-contact order on April 14 in Woodstock, and breach of a no-contact order and house arrest on May 9-10. His trial was scheduled for Feb. 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
He was also charged with assault and unlawful confinement between June 29, 2024, and July 4, 2024, at Wotstak; assault and two counts of assault by choking in Fredericton between Feb. 10 and Feb. 19; and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone between Feb. 10 and Feb. 19 at Wotstak. His trial date was set for March 20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
He was also charged with assaulting another man with a weapon (a knife), uttering threats and mischief causing property damage to a window in connection with an incident on April 8 in Lansdowne. His trial date was booked for Feb. 20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Christian also faces charges laid by Woodstock Police following an assault outside the Royal Canadian Legion on Nov. 14, 2024. Police were called to the scene, and a man was transported to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Christian was charged with indictable aggravated assault, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
He also appeared in provincial court on April 15 and pleaded not guilty to another indictable assault charge laid by Woodstock Police. His trial was rescheduled for Feb. 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Christian pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault concerning an incident on March 25 at the Ayr Motor Centre. Woodstock. Police said a 16-year-old victim suffered significant injuries in the incident and was transported to the Upper River Valley Hospital for treatment.
Trial in September accused in rehab
Douglas Thomas Defazio, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on July 8 from a rehab facility in Moncton. He returns to court for trial on Sept. 22 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Defazio was released with conditions following a bail hearing on Aug. 22, 2024, and was ordered to enter rehab. He was arrested by Woodstock Police shortly after a stolen boat crashed on the rocks of the Meduxnekeag River on July 10, 2024, where the vessel was abandoned and the suspect swam to shore.
Defazio faces two counts of breaking and entering a dwelling house, mischief causing property damage, and breach of probation in connection with break-ins at two different residences on Grant Street and Houlton Street on July 10, 2024. More charges are pending, including possession of stolen property, theft and breaching a recognizance. Another separate charge of uttering threats was withdrawn by the crown.
Adjourned for plea
Michael Murphy, 28, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on July 8 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Murphy appeared in provincial court in custody on June 10 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to attend court in April. He was released with conditions and charged with failing to appear.
Murphy was also charged with fraudulent impersonation with intent to avoid arrest in connection with an incident on March 11 at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation).
Awaiting plea on sex charges
Chad Brooker, 36, of Centreville, appeared in provincial court on July 8 to answer three sex charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Brooker was charged with sexual assault, touching a minor for a sexual purpose and invitation to sexual touching in connection with an incident between June 1 and Oct. 31, 2024, at Centreville.
Charged with robbery
Chad Clark, 47, of Mount Pleasant, appeared in provincial court on July 8 and pleaded not guilty to a robbery charge laid by RCMP. He returns to court on July 15 at 1:30 p.m. to set a trial date.
Clark was charged with robbery with violence in connection with the theft of a vehicle on Feb. 5 at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation).
Returning for plea
Bryden Till, 20, of Perth-Andover, will appear for trial in provincial court on Sept. 26 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to a threat charge.
Till was charged with uttering threats against another man in connection with an incident on March 3 at Perth-Andover. He also faces a charge of dangerous driving and will stand trial on that matter on Sept. 26.
Newbridge man awaiting plea
Bernard Murray Turner, 38, of Newbridge, appeared in provincial court on July 8 to answer charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Turner was charged with breaching a release order (no-contact), uttering threats, assault, and dangerous driving concerning an incident on June 4 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court on April 8 and pleaded not guilty to a firearm charge laid by the RCMP. His trial is scheduled for Dec. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Turner was charged with possession of a firearm without a licence (a shotgun) for an incident on Nov. 5, 2024, at Carlow. A monitoring date for his trial was scheduled for Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
He also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 4 and pleaded not guilty to other charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial dates were set for Dec. 22 at 9:30 a.m. and Feb. 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Turner was charged by the Woodstock Police with fraud under $5,000, uttering a forged document, and possession of stolen property (a cheque) in connection with an incident on Aug. 3, 2023, in Woodstock.
He also faces a charge of flight from police for an incident on Feb. 16, 2024. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. A monitoring date for his trial was set for Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Not-guilty plea
Kelsey Janetta Brooker, 30, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared in provincial court on July 8 and pleaded not guilty to four charges laid by RCMP. Her trial was set for Aug. 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Brooker was charged with shoplifting and breach of probation on March 3 at BMR Hardware in Hartland, as well as possession of a stolen truck and breach of probation on Feb. 11 at Pokiok. Woodstock Police also charged her with theft from the Walmart on Connell Street in connection with an incident in July 2023 in Woodstock.
Released on undertaking
John Hogarth, 46, of Tobique Narrows, appeared in provincial court on July 8 to answer an assault charge laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Hogarth was charged with assault involving a female victim in connection with an incident on April 5 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation). He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
Trial continues on sex charge
Cole Tweedie, 30, of Greenfield, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 15 to set a date for the continuation of his trial on a sex charge laid by RCMP.
Tweedie was charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident on June 11, 2022, near Beechwood. The trial began on May 29-30 and was adjourned until June 24 for further arguments.
Awaiting plea
Nathan Harper, 19, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court via teleconference on July 8 to answer charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m.
Harper was charged with theft from the Canadian Tire Store and breach of an undertaking in connection with an incident on Aug. 20, 2024, in Woodstock.
He appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on May 2. He was released with conditions after being arrested on a warrant by Fredericton Police.
Plea delayed until August
Brandon Tomah, 36, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on July 8 for plea on charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal 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.
Plea adjourned on four charges
Shelby Paul, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on July 8 for plea on four charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Paul appeared in provincial court in custody on May 28 and was released with conditions. She was charged by RCMP with assaulting another woman and breach of probation on Jan. 29 at Neqotkuk, and assault with a weapon (a phone) and breach of probation on Jan. 19 at Neqotkuk.
Moved to alternative measures
Ryan Fitzherbert, 30, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on July 8 to answer to two shoplifting charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was moved to the alternative measures program.
Fitzherbert was charged with theft from the Superstore on March 7 and March 10. He has until Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. to complete the requirements of the alternative measures program in order to have the charges withdrawn.
He is scheduled to stand trial on other charges on Feb. 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Fitzherbert was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle on Oct. 23, 2024, at Pembroke. Woodstock Police also charged him with trespassing at the Canadian Tire Store in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty on both counts and was released on an undertaking until his trial.
Trial on five charges
Andrew St. Peter, 32, of Plaster Rock, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on July 8 for monitoring about his trial. He did not attend court due to health issues, and the matter was adjourned for more monitoring on July 22 at 9:30 a.m.
St. Peter appeared in provincial court on April 8 via teleconference and pleaded not guilty to five charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was set for April 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
St. Peter was charged with two counts of breaching a release order by failing to report to police between Jan. 1 and March 11 at Weaver, and three counts of uttering threats on March 10 at Weaver. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 13 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Mitchell Hillman, 36, of Wilmot, after he failed to appear on July 8 for monitoring about his upcoming trial.
Hillman will appear for trial in provincial court on Aug. 21 at 9:30 a.m. and Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Hillman was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats, concerning an incident on Sept. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. He appeared in court in custody and was released with conditions. His trial was set for Aug. 21.
He was also charged with driving while prohibited on Feb. 12, 2024, in Woodstock, and mischief causing property damage to a truck on Feb. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. His trial was set for Sept. 5.
He appeared in provincial court on June 26 and pleaded guilty to stealing copper wire from the former tourist bureau at Richmond Corner. His sentencing was set for Oct. 6 at 1:30 p.m.
Hillman was charged with breaking and entering, but pleaded guilty to the lesser included offence of theft in connection with a break-in at the tourism building on Feb. 19, 2024. A co-accused, Michael Holt, 68, of Riverglade, pleaded not guilty and will stand trial on July 16 at 1:30 p.m.
