More jail time for assault with gun
Allan Charles McLaughlin, 64, of Woodstock, was sentenced to 11 months in jail, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 10 on weapons charges laid by Woodstock Police. He has been in custody since his arrest in April and has accumulated 225 days in remand.
Judge Leslie Jackson also fined McLaughlin $800 and placed him on 18 months of probation. The accused was ordered to register with the federal DNA database and was handed a 10-year prohibition on firearms.
McLaughlin pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (a nine-millimetre handgun), pointing a firearm at a female victim, assault with a weapon (a handgun), and careless use of a firearm in connection with an incident on April 13 in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants. He also pleaded guilty to breaching a no-contact order on April 15 in Canterbury. The handgun used in the crime was forfeited to the Crown.
“When you use a gun to settle disputes, you should expect to be incarcerated,” Judge Jackson told the accused during his sentencing hearing.
The court heard Woodstock Police attended a residence on April 13 to answer a call about a domestic dispute. During the course of their investigation, they determined McLaughlin had produced a loaded handgun and pointed it at a female victim during the altercation.
The accused was intoxicated at the time and wanted the woman to leave his property. They worked together at a local taxi company, which McLaughlin owned, but their personal relationship was ending. The accused surrendered to the police when they arrived at the scene.
Following the incident, police executed a search warrant at the same residence, which resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns, and more than 1,500 rounds of ammunition. McLaughlin had a dated prior criminal record.
12 months in jail for Neqotkuk man
Tearston Lee Saulis, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was sentenced to 12 months in jail and two years of probation when he appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 10. He pleaded guilty to several charges laid by the RCMP.
Saulis appeared in court in custody by video on June 27 and waived his bail. He was charged by the RCMP with robbery of a motor vehicle with violence on March 26 at Neqotkuk, but pleaded guilty to the lesser included offence of taking a vehicle without consent.
He also pleaded guilty to two counts of uttering threats and possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence (a handmade shank) for incidents on May 13, 2024, and May 22, 2024, at the Renous penitentiary. Those charges were transferred from Miramichi. Saulis had a lengthy prior criminal record.
At an earlier court appearance, Saulis was ordered to undergo a five-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. He was found fit to stand trial in accordance with his medical report.
House arrest, probation
Braden Morgan, 27, of Woodstock, received a suspended sentence and 12 months of probation when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Sept. 10.
Morgan was charged by Woodstock Police with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats in connection with an incident on Oct. 30, 2024, in Woodstock. He pleaded guilty to both offences. The court heard the charges involved a domestic dispute. Morgan had no prior criminal record.
In custody after knife incident
Taranjeet Singh, 39, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 11 for a bail hearing. The hearing was adjourned until Sept. 16 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Singh was charged by Woodstock Police with assault with a weapon (a knife) and uttering threats in connection with an incident on Sept. 6 and another alleged assault on Sept. 7 in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants.
Charge withdrawn
Trevor Lee Bear, Jr., 27, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Sept. 10 for sentencing after pleading guilty to one charge laid by the RCMP. The Crown withdrew the charge, and his sentencing was cancelled.
Bear pleaded guilty to breach of probation by violating a no-contact order in connection with an incident on Feb. 7 at Neqotkuk. The court heard his probation order had expired by the date of the incident.
Agrees to peace bond
Christopher Anthony Clark, 48, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on Sept. 10 after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the trial did not proceed.
Clark was charged with two counts of uttering threats against two women, stemming from an incident on April 16 in Woodstock. The peace bond will result in the charges being withdrawn. Clark was ordered to have no contact with the complainants.
Not-guilty plea
Kerry Sheppard, 56, of Weston, will appear for trial in provincial court on Sept. 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to seven charges laid by the RCMP.
Defence Counsel Alex Pate entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf during a court appearance on Sept. 12.
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.
Three charged with drug trafficking
Kurtis Stenger, 33, of Fredericton, Samuel Robert Crewe, 31, and Timothy Brian Wheelan, 37, both of Jacksonville, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m. to answer drug trafficking charges laid by the RCMP.
Crewe appeared in custody by video on Sept. 11. Stenger told the court on Aug. 19 that 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.
Crewe was denied bail on July 24 on other separate charges. Woodstock Police charged him with being at large on a release order by violating his house arrest, stemming from an incident on June 24 in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty on Sept. 11. A trial date was rescheduled for Jan. 26, 2026, at 1:30 p.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 rescheduled for Jan. 26, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
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.
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.
Released with conditions
Tamara Hamilton, 30, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Sept. 10 after being arrested on a breach charge. She was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged Hamilton with breaching a release order by being unlawfully at large on Sept. 9 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation).
Hamilton is also facing other separate charges. She and co-accused, Patrick Harris, 40, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court on April 8 to answer charges stemming from a shooting in Mainstream on Feb. 17. They are awaiting trial at the Court of King’s Bench.
Hamilton was released on Feb. 20 with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle. She was placed under house arrest with a curfew at a residence in Woodstock.
She was charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited (a sawed-off shotgun), possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, discharging a firearm at a place while reckless as to whether a person was present, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition without a licence, and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun.
Mainstream woman charged
Natasha Ginson, 35, of Mainstream, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on four charges laid by the RCMP.
Ginson was charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer, uttering threats and possession of a stolen ATV stemming from an incident on May 18 at Riverbank. She made her first court appearance on Sept. 9 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Returning for plea
Casey Bernard, 27, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a threat charge.
RCMP charged Bernard with uttering threats against a female victim in connection with an incident on July 26 at Neqotkuk. He made his first court appearance on Sept. 9 when the matter was adjourned to the new date. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Trial set in assault case
Kyle Evans, 39, of Carlingford, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 9 and pleaded not guilty to an assault charge laid by the RCMP. His trial date was set for Aug. 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Evans was charged with assault involving a female victim following an incident on April 1 at Aroostook. A monitoring hearing was also scheduled for July 9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he has legal counsel to proceed to trial.
Trial date in November
An Upper Woodstock man will appear for trial in November in connection with a road rage incident on May 27 at the intersection of Main Street and Deakin Drive.
Wyatt Mark Belyea, 28, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 11 for a monitoring hearing after pleading not guilty to the charges. Trial dates were set for Nov. 17 and Nov. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Defence Counsel Bronwyn Mooney told the court a resolution had not yet been reached with the Crown, so Belyea will maintain his trial dates.
Woodstock Police charged Belyea with uttering threats, pointing a firearm at another person, driving while prohibited, carelessly transporting a firearm, possession of a firearm (a SKS semi-automatic rifle) without a licence, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, 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 later. 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.
Guilty plea for two incidents
Braxton Denny, 24, of Jacksonville, appeared for trial in provincial court on Sept. 11 and changed his plea to guilty on several charges. His sentencing date was set for Dec. 16 at 1:30 p.m.
Denny was charged by Woodstock Police with assault, committing mischief by damaging a TV, and breach of a release order by failing to abstain from drugs between May 1 and June 6, 2024, in Woodstock; and assaulting a woman, assault by choking, two counts of uttering threats, committing mischief by damaging a mirror and a door, and breach of a release order by failing to abstain from drugs for another incident between June 6-7, 2024, in Woodstock.
He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond on all the assault charges and then pleaded guilty to the remaining charges laid in 2024. The peace bond will result in the assault charges being withdrawn.
Denny appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 17, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. The ankle bracelet was removed at his court appearance on Sept. 11. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants and must abstain from the use of alcohol and drugs.
In custody awaiting plea
Connell McLean, 29, of Centreville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 11 for plea on several charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
McLean was denied bail on July 28 after being arrested on a warrant in connection with several offences under the Criminal Code. Police had been on a manhunt for McLean since the warrant for his arrest was issued on July 17.
McLean was charged with two counts of fleeing from police and dangerous driving for incidents on July 15 and July 16 in Wilmot.
He was also charged with possession of a stolen side-by-side, altering the serial number on the vehicle, and flight from police on July 22 at Wilmot and resisting arrest on July 25 at Summerfield. McLean has a prior criminal record.
In custody in Alberta
The court issued an arrest warrant for Christopher Ryan Crawford, 36, formerly of Jacksonville, after he failed to appear in provincial court for plea on Sept. 11 on five charges laid by the RCMP.
Crawford was charged with two counts of breach of probation, evading police, sexual assault, and failing to attend court in connection with incidents between March 1 and March 22, 2010, in Jacksonville. The court heard he is currently in jail in Alberta. He made a court appearance in custody by video on Aug. 11.
Plea adjourned
David Frank Janssens, 25, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by the RCMP.
Janssens was charged with arson and committing mischief on Oct. 25, 2023, in Woodstock. On Sept. 11, the court heard that a resolution is being sought with the Crown to resolve the matter.
Released with conditions
Bonnie Noel, 56, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 11 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in provincial court on March 14 and June 13.
Following a bail hearing, she was released with conditions until her next court date on Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. Noel was in custody in Ontario but recently returned to Woodstock and turned herself in to the police.
Noel pleaded not guilty to several charges including assault, breaching an undertaking, and breaching a peace bond for an incident on Aug. 6, 2024 in Jacksonville; breach of an undertaking (no contact) on Feb. 18, 2024, at Canterbury, breach of an undertaking (no contact) and breach of curfew on April 1, 2024, at North Lake, breach of an undertaking (no contact) on Jan. 21, 2024, at North Lake; and two counts of assault, breach of an undertaking and breach of a peace bond on Aug. 6, 2024, in Canterbury.
Released with ankle bracelet
Timothy Canam, 45, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 11 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He returns to court for plea on Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Canam was charged with breach of a release order on Sept. 9 in Johnville. He was also charged by the RCMP with two counts of uttering threats on June 6 at Johnville; resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer and assault causing bodily harm to a police officer on June 9 in Johnville.
At an earlier court appearance, Canam was remanded into custody for a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital and was found fit to stand trial. He did not challenge the results of his medical report.
He was released with conditions (ankle bracelet) on Aug. 22 but returned to custody after missing his court date on Sept. 9.
Sentencing set for property offence
Justin Ryan Shea, 36, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on Sept. 12 and pleaded guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. His sentencing date was set for Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Shea was charged with break, enter and theft at a dwelling house on Creighton Street on Sept. 26, 2024, and breaching an undertaking (curfew) on Aug. 14. He pleaded guilty to the lesser included offence of possession of stolen property and also pleaded guilty to the curfew breach.
The Crown withdrew charges laid against a co-accused, James Blair Hovey, 27, of Perth Andover, who was accused in relation to the same break-in.
Shea also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 4 and pleaded not guilty to two drug trafficking charges. His trial was set for Jan. 26 and Jan. 28, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Shea was charged by Woodstock Police with trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking in connection with incidents in Woodstock on June 30 and May 2, 2024.
Shea was also charged with mischief, causing property damage, and break, enter and theft at the East Coast Truck Wash for an incident on March 17, 2024, in Lower Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for Jan. 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was scheduled for Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Sentencing delayed
Mitchell LaFrance, 26, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody for sentencing on Sept. 12 after changing his plea to guilty on an assault charge laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned to Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m. to allow for the submission of a victim impact statement.
LaFrance pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim stemming from an incident on July 19, 2024, at Carlingford. The Crown withdrew two other charges.
LaFrance has been in custody since he was arrested on a charge of breaching his release order for an incident on Jan. 24 in Edmundston. He has a sentencing hearing in Edmundston on Sept. 22.
Released with house arrest
Rachel Sockabasin, 40, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Sept. 11 and was released with conditions.
RCMP charged Sockabasin with breaching her release order concerning an incident on Sept. 4 at Perth-Andover. She pleaded not guilty and returns to court on Oct. 9 at 9:30 a.m. for a monitoring hearing.
She was also charged 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 July 26, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
The court heard she is also facing four other charges in Edmundston.
Bail hearing held
Morgan Nicholas, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Sept. 12 and was released with conditions. He returns to court for plea on Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Nicholas with breach of a release order by being unlawfully at large following an incident on Sept. 9 at Neqotuk.
Nicholas and Brandon Michael Francis, 30, also Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will also appear for trial in provincial court on Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m.
Francis and Nicholas pleaded not guilty to 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.
Francis was denied bail on Aug. 19. RCMP charged him 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, as well as breaching his house arrest on May 8. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial will be held on Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m.
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. He 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.
