Ruckus leads to arrest in courthouse corridor
Brodey O’Donnell, 22, of Campbell Settlement, caused a ruckus in the courthouse corridor on Aug. 19 when sheriffs arrested him on a warrant and took him to the cells next door to await his court appearance.
“Leave me alone!” O’Donnell yelled as sheriffs placed him in handcuffs on a warrant out of Edmundston.
O’Donnell arrived at Woodstock Provincial Court to enter his plea on other charges laid by the RCMP. He was charged with assaulting police, uttering threats, and resisting arrest for an incident on July 17 at Campbell Settlement. Those matters were adjourned until Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m.
O’Donnell told Judge Karen Lee he was unaware of the arrest warrant from Edmundston and got upset when sheriffs executed the warrant at the front door.
Judge Lee scolded him for his behaviour and advised O’Donnell that he would remain in custody until he appeared before a judge in Edmundston.
O’Donnell appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing in Woodstock on July 28 and was released with conditions.
Charges laid in fatal accident
Casey Feuser, 37, of Sussex, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 19 to answer four charges related to a fatal accident that killed two people on the Trans Canada Highway outside Woodstock last year.
The RCMP charged Feuser with two counts of dangerous driving causing death and two counts of failing to remain at the scene of an accident on Sept. 26, 2024, near Hay Settlement. He returns to court for plea on Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Two male passengers from Sussex died as a result of the single-vehicle accident, which occurred around 1:30 a.m. The vehicle was travelling eastbound on the highway when it lost control and went into a ditch.
127 days in custody
Ronald Dwayne Scott, 30, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 19 for a hearing and admitted he breached his house arrest. Judge Leslie Jackson ordered him to serve the remainder of his sentence in jail, which amounted to 127 days behind bars.
Scott was arrested by Woodstock Police and charged with assault, committing mischief, and three counts of uttering threats following an alleged altercation on Aug. 8. He told the court on Tuesday that he had been under stress and could not remember much about the incident.
Scott appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Aug. 11 and waived his bail. He returns to court in custody for plea on Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Scott was handed six months of house arrest and 18 months of probation when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing on other charges on June 25. He was also prohibited from driving for one year.
He pleaded guilty to assaulting another man, willfully causing damage to a vehicle, dangerous driving, and flight from police for an incident on Nov. 10, 2022, in Woodstock. Scott has a limited prior criminal record.
Suspended sentence, probation
Maurene Anne Nicholas, 49, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), received a suspended sentence and 12 months of probation when she appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Aug. 19.
Nicholas was charged by the RCMP with assaulting another woman in Perth-Andover on Oct. 28, 2022. As part of her probation, Judge Karen Lee ordered the accused to seek counselling for mental health and addiction.
The court heard details of how Nicholas jumped out of a vehicle and attacked a woman walking down the street with her children near the Bank of Montreal around noon. Nicholas punched the woman in the head with both fists and tore off her glasses. Witnesses on the street saw the incident, and one individual stopped the fight. Nicholas had a dated prior criminal record.
Defence Counsel Alex Carleton said Nicholas was driving around and doing drugs with another family member who said something disparaging about the victim that caused Nicholas to jump out and launch the attack. The two women were strangers prior to the incident.
The crown and defence first made a joint submission on sentence for a conditional discharge and 12 months of probation for Nicholas. Still, Judge Lee disagreed with a discharge due to the violence committed in front of two children on a public street that appeared to be random and unprovoked.
Nicholas wept and appeared to hyperventilate as sentencing was imposed. Judge Lee noted Nicholas had a troubled past and was a trauma survivor.
Three charged with drug trafficking
Kurtis Stenger, 33, of Fredericton, Samuel Robert Crewe, 31, and Timothy Brian Wheelan, 37, both of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 19 to answer drug trafficking charges laid by the RCMP.
Crewe appeared in custody by video. Stenger told the court he was just released from jail in Saint John and was wearing an ankle monitor.
The three men were each charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine, both for the purpose of trafficking, in connection with incidents between June 1 and June 13 in Jacksonville. They return to court for plea on Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Crewe was denied bail on July 24 on other separate charges. Woodstock Police charged him with violating his house arrest by being at large on a release order, stemming from an incident on June 24 in Woodstock. He returns to court in custody for plea on Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
He also faces additional charges of possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking on March 19 in Woodstock. His plea was booked for Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
A co-accused, Kaylee Melinda Smith, has also been charged with drug trafficking and two counts of identity theft concerning the same incident on March 19 in Woodstock. She also returns to court for plea on Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Crewe also appeared in provincial court on June 3 and pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by Woodstock Police, including flight from police, dangerous driving and breach of a release order on May 6 in Woodstock. His trial date was set for July 22, 2026, but it will have to be moved up because he is in custody. A new trial date will be set when he returns to court on Sept. 11.
He also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 18 and pleaded not guilty to four more charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was set for Feb. 11, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. That trial date will also have to be rescheduled when he returns to court on Sept. 11.
Crewe was charged by the RCMP with possession of methamphetamine, flight from police, dangerous driving and driving while prohibited in connection with a single vehicle accident in Kirkland on Jan. 4. He has a prior criminal record.
Defence Counsel Lindsay Paul told the court she would be seeking a resolution with the Crown to deal with Crewe’s multiple charges.
Returning for plea
Joseph Diamond, 43, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court Aug. 19 for plea on a sex charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Diamond was charged with sexual assault involving a minor in connection with an incident on April 27, 2024, in Woodstock.
Charges withdrawn
On Aug. 19, the crown withdrew all charges laid against Joseph Roy, 63, of Bedell, under the Fish and Wildlife Act.
Roy was charged with illegal possession of a deer carcass, discharging a firearm too close to a dwelling, hunting antlerless deer without the proper licence, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, failing to properly tag a deer, and driving an ATV without a helmet on Nov. 24, 2023, near Meductic. He pleaded not guilty. His Sept. 10 trial date was vacated.
Trial dates confirmed
Loic Boulay, 22, of Oromocto, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 19 after pleading not guilty to five charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial dates were confirmed for Oct. 30 at 9:30 a.m. and Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Boulay was denied bail on July 28. He 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 other two charges laid by Woodstock Police. He 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. He had no prior criminal record.
Killoween man released until sentencing
Trevor Lee Crain, 49, of Killoween, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 18 on a breach charge. The crown withdrew the charge and released him with conditions until his sentencing for other offences on Oct. 28 at 1:30 p.m. He will be residing at a new address in Beechwood.
Crain appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on July 25 and changed his plea to guilty on several charges laid by RCMP. He was released from custody with the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was denied bail and remanded to jail on March 27.
On July 25, he pleaded guilty to one count of breaching his release order (house arrest), concerning three incidents between Jan. 30 and Feb. 7 at Beechwood.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles) and breach of a release order in connection with an incident on July 1, 2024, at Killoween. The Crown withdrew another charge of resisting arrest.
Crain also pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen dirt bike on May 25, 2024, and guilty to breaching his release order by failing to appear in court on July 11, 2023.
He pleaded not guilty to breaking and entering into a dwelling house and breaching an undertaking on June 15, 2023, at Moose Mountain, and committing an assault involving a female victim on June 11, 2023, at Killoween. His trial date on those charges was set for Jan. 7, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was also booked for Oct. 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Crain has one more trial date set for Dec. 31 at 9:30 a.m. He pleaded not guilty to breaking into a residence and committing sexual assault for an incident between May 1, 2023, and May 23, 2023, at Moose Mountain.
Possession of child pornography
Corey Dean Bartlett, 56, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 19 for plea on a charge of possession of child pornography.
The matter was adjourned for plea until Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel. A bail hearing will also be held for him at that time. The RCMP charged Bartlett in connection with an incident in February 2017 at Tobique Narrows.
Trial proceedings continue
Johnny Lee Bloodsworth, 39, of Arthurette, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 27 at 9:30 a.m. for the continuation of his trial on multiple sex charges.
He appeared for trial in provincial court on Aug. 14-15 when testimony for the crown was completed. Defence Counsel Wanda Severns will present the case for the accused when the trial resumes in October. The allegations involve two complainants.
The RCMP charged Bloodsworth 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. 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.
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.
He also 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 between Jan. 31 and May 30 in Arthurette. He was arrested and released on conditions.
Plea adjourned
Kerry Sheppard, 56, of Weston, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on seven charges laid by the RCMP.
Sheppard was charged with assault by choking involving a female victim, two counts of assault, two counts of uttering threats, improper storage of a firearm, and possession of seven firearms without a licence in connection with an incident on June 19 at Weston.
He was scheduled to enter a plea on Aug. 19 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Sentencing delayed
Nekko Dominique, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 18 after pleading guilty to seven charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until Aug. 28 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.
Bail denied for Neqotkuk man
Brandon Michael Francis, 30, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 19 and was denied bail. Judge Leslie Jackson remanded him to jail to await his trial on Aug. 25.
RCMP charged Francis with breaching his release order by violating the conditions of electronic monitoring and mischief, causing damage to his ankle bracelet on May 1 in Perth-Andover, and breaching his house arrest on May 8. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial will be held on Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Francis and Morgan Nicholas, 28, of Neqotkuk, appeared in provincial court together on July 10 and pleaded not guilty to other charges related to an alleged break-in at a dwelling house. Francis appeared in custody by video. They pleaded not guilty, and the trial was set for Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Francis and Nicholas were each charged with breaking into a dwelling house, mischief, causing property damage to a door and window, and assaulting another man with a wooden two-by-four in connection with an incident on April 29 at Neqotkuk. Francis also faces additional charges of uttering threats, resisting arrest, and breach of probation concerning the same incident. Both men have prior criminal records.
Nicholas appeared in provincial court on July 10 to answer two other separate charges laid by the RCMP. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for Jan. 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Nicholas appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 16 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was arrested on June 3 and charged with theft from a gas bar and breaching his release order concerning an incident on May 25 at Neqotkuk.
Jointly charged with trafficking
Larry Shane Kennedy, 50, of Kirkland, and Dominique Gray, 26, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m. for a plea on drug trafficking charges.
Kennedy and Gray were jointly charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking on May 29 in Kirkland. They were scheduled for plea on Aug. 19 when the matter was adjourned to the new date allow Gray more time to secure legal counsel.
Kennedy was also charged with breaching a release order and unauthorized possession of ammunition for the same incident on May 29. His plea on those charges was adjourned until his next court appearance on Sept. 9.
Kennedy appeared in provincial court in custody on June 19 and was released from custody with conditions (ankle bracelet). He was denied bail on June 2 and then released with the consent of the crown.
Kennedy and Joshua Sterling Trail, 42, of Benton, will both stand trial next week after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by the RCMP. Their three-day trial was booked for Aug. 25 and Aug. 27-28 at 9:30 a.m.
They were each charged with possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine both for the purpose of trafficking on Feb. 16 in Kirkland; indictable robbery of a motor vehicle on Feb. 5 at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation); illegal possession of a firearm (a Russian SKS semi-automatic rifle), and improper storage of a firearm on Feb. 16 at Kirkland.
Trail appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 22 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including a curfew and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He will be residing in Ashland. Judge Henrik Tonning ordered him to have no contact with Kennedy during his release.
On Feb. 18, Kennedy appeared in court in custody and was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, but returned to custody.
Trail was also charged with fraudulent impersonation for a separate incident on Dec. 9, 2024, at Richmond Corner. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was rescheduled for March 11, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Trail was also charged with breaking into a dwelling house on Charlotte Street to commit mischief, unlawful entry for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of break-in tools, possession of a stolen Blue Cross card, mischief causing property damage to a door, interfering with the lawful use of property, and illegal possession of methamphetamine for an incident between Sept. 6-7, 2024, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for July 23-24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
A co-accused, Dynielle Demerchant, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on June 3 and pleaded not guilty to the same list of charges for the alleged break-in on Charlotte Street. Her trial date was also set for July 23-24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Demerchant also pleaded not guilty to possession of stolen property and breach of probation concerning a separate incident on Sept. 17, 2024, in Woodstock. Her trial will be held on July 23-24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Guilty pleas entered
Mitchell McKenzie, 39, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 19 and changed his plea to guilty on three charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing date was set for Oct. 23 at 9:30 a.m.
McKenzie was denied bail and remanded to jail on March 27. He was arrested and charged by the RCMP with breach of a release order (no alcohol or drugs) and committing mischief concerning an incident on March 21 at Wotstak.
McKenzie was also charged with assaulting another man with a weapon (a wooden pole) following an incident on July 24, 2024, at Wotstak.
Sentencing next week
James Earle Dow, 47, of Dow Settlement, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 19 for a hearing about a threat charge transferred from Moncton. He told the court he wanted to withdraw the guilty plea he entered in January.
Judge Karen Lee told Dow the charge will be transferred back to Moncton, where he must appear to enter a new plea. A monitoring date was set for Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m. in Woodstock to confirm the charge has been transferred.
Dow also appeared in provincial court on June 18 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court for sentencing on other separate charges. He was released from custody with conditions and returns to court for his sentencing on Aug. 26 at 1:30 p.m.
He pleaded guilty to driving while prohibited and refusing a breathalyzer demand in connection with an incident on May 14, 2023, at Dow Settlement. RCMP laid the charges. On March 18, his sentencing was adjourned to allow Dow to attend a rehab program.
Neqotkuk man to enter plea
Brock Vollmar, 48, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was scheduled for plea on Aug. 19 but was adjourned to the new date since Vollmar did not have legal counsel.
Vollmar was charged by the 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 for an incident at the Ultramar in Carlingford.
He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on July 14 and was released with conditions. He told the court on Tuesday he would defend himself at trial in December on a fraud charge.
Awaiting trial for assault
Jeffrey Baker Christensen, 57, of Perth-Andover, will appear for trial in provincial court on April 29, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to an assault charge.
The RCMP charged Christensen with assault involving a female victim, stemming from an incident on March 23 at Perth-Andover. His defence counsel entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf on Aug. 19.
Beechwood man to stand trial
Nathan Vallee, 24, of Beechwood, will appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 20 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP.
Vallee was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats concerning an incident on Dec. 28, 2023, in Beechwood. The trial was scheduled for Aug. 21 but was adjourned on Tuesday with the consent of both the crown and defence counsel.
In custody awaiting plea
William (Billy) Harding, 35, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 19 for a plea on several charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Harding was denied bail on July 30. He appeared in court in custody by video on July 29 for a fitness hearing following a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. He was found fit to stand trial.
RCMP charged him with breaking into a dwelling house, mischief, causing damage to his ankle bracelet, and three counts of breaching his release order on June 7 in Perth-Andover.
He was also charged with assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a male victim and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace following an incident on May 11 at Perth Andover.
Harding was also charged by Woodstock Police with theft from the Superstore and breach of probation following an incident on Sept. 10, 2024, in Woodstock.
A co-accused, Tammy Schloemer, 60, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was charged in relation to the same incident at the Superstore. Schloemer pleaded not guilty to theft and was released with conditions until her trial. She also returns to court on Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date.
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.
