Charles Giberson, 46, of Rothesay, appeared in provincial court for sentencing on July 28 after changing his plea to guilty on a drug trafficking charge laid by Woodstock Police. His sentencing was adjourned until Sept. 4 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Giberson was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, stemming from an incident on July 24, 2024, in Woodstock.
Not-guilty plea
Mitchell David McKenzie, 39, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 27 for a fitness hearing after being arrested on charges laid by the RCMP. He was found fit to stand trial and was remanded for a bail hearing on July 29 at 9:30 a.m.
McKenzie was charged with two counts of uttering threats, resisting arrest, breach of a release order and breach of probation. He appeared in court in custody on July 22 and was remanded to the Restigouche hospital for a five-day mental health assessment.
On March 24, McKenzie appeared in provincial court and pleaded not guilty to two other charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was booked for April 15, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
McKenzie appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Feb. 12 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged by the RCMP with uttering threats and breach of probation concerning an incident on Feb. 7 at Wotstak. As part of his release, he was ordered to report weekly to the police and to have no contact with the complainant
Crew and Wheelan to be sentenced
Timothy Brian Wheelan, 39, and Samuel Robert Crewe, 31, both of Jacksonville appeared for trial in provincial court in custody via video on July 27 and changed their plea to guilty on drug charges laid by the RCMP.
Wheelan also pleaded guilty to three gun charges laid by Woodstock Police. Their sentencing was set for July 30 at 9:30 a.m.
The RCMP charged the two men after a search warrant was executed at their residence on June 13, 2025, in Jacksonville.
Wheelan pleaded guilty to possession of ecstasy for the purpose of trafficking, indictable possession of cocaine, and indictable possession of fentanyl. One other charge was withdrawn by the Crown. Crewe pleaded guilty to indictable possession of methamphetamine. Three other charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
Wheelan also pleaded to two counts of storing firearms in a careless manner and possession of firearms without a licence on June, 13, 2025, in Woodstock and Jacksonville. Seven other charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
The court heard a stockpile of rifles and ammunition were seized by police after a search of a garage in Woodstock. A handgun, a sawed-off shotgun, and ammunition were also seized during the search of the Jacksonville residence along with a stash of various narcotics found in a container on the kitchen table.
Crewe pleaded not guilty to 13 gun charges related to the same incident but those charges did not proceed. The Crown called no evidence, and Crewe received a directed verdict of not guilty on July 10.
At an earlier court appearance, Wheelan pleaded guilty to other separate charges of uttering threats against a female victim on April 10, 2025, in Woodstock, and guilty to uttering threats against two other women on Aug. 12, 2025, at Jacksonville. The Crown withdrew two other charges. He will be sentenced on July 30 at 9:30 a.m.
Wheelan was denied bail on Nov. 20, 2025. He also changed his plea to guilty for breaching his curfew on Sept. 23, 2025, at Carlingford, and to guilty of breach of an undertaking (no weapons), possession of a stolen utility trailer, and resisting arrest on Nov. 17, 2025, at Meductic. The Crown withdrew three more charges. He will be sentenced on July 30 at 9:30 a.m.
Crewe was sentenced to three years in federal prison, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court via video in custody on Jan. 26. He pleaded guilty to a raft of drug and theft charges, as well as driving offences, laid by Woodstock Police and the RCMP. He had a prior criminal record.
Guilty of drug trafficking
Vinal Todd Hatto, 40, of Pokiok, appeared in provincial court on July 27 and changed his plea to guilty on seven drug trafficking charges laid by Woodstock Police. His sentencing was set for Nov. 26 at 9:30 a.m.
Hatto pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, fentanyl, oxycontin, hydromorphone, and methylphenidate, all for the purpose of trafficking, on May 28, 2025, in Lower Woodstock.
Crown Prosecutor Derek Weaver told the court the RCMP spotted Hatto driving a motorcycle on Route 165 near Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). He had a backpack with him and refused to stop for police, heading down a trail on the Beardsley Road where the motorcycle tipped over. He fled on foot with the backpack and was captured by police in a nearby field. The backpack contained a quantity of various drugs, $583 in cash, cell phones and drug paraphernalia.
Hatto also appeared in provincial court on July 21 to answer two other charges related to his required attendance at a Moncton rehab facility. He was charged with two counts of breaching his probation for incidents in Woodstock and Moncton between Sept. 6-11, 2025, and in Moncton between Sept. 4, 2025, and June 8, 2026. He returns to court for plea on Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Hatto also appeared in provincial court on May 12 for a monitoring hearing to confirm his trial dates on several other charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Hatto was charged with arson, dangerous driving, two counts of breaching a release order and driving while prohibited concerning an incident on Sept. 5, 2025, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for Nov. 30 at 9:30 a.m.
He is also facing other charges of obstructing Woodstock Police and possession of stolen inspection stickers in connection with an incident on May 16, 2025. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Nov. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Hearing on sex charge
Christopher Thomas O’Keefe, 27, of Fielding, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on July 27 for a pre-trial hearing after pleading not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP. Another pre-trial hearing was booked for Sept. 10 prior to his trial scheduled for Oct. 26 and Nov. 25.
O’Keefe was charged by the RCMP with sexual assault in connection with an incident on Feb. 26, 2023, at Upper Brighton, and failing to report his whereabouts to the national sex offender registry on Jan. 9 in Woodstock.
O’Keefe pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to appear for trial in December. He was remanded, and his sentencing was adjourned until after his trial.
Awaiting plea
Tanna Wright, 29, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on several charges. She was scheduled to appear on July 28 when the matter was adjourned at the request of her defence counsel.
Wright appeared in provincial court via video in custody on May 29 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. She was charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, committing mischief, and two counts of breach of probation. She was arrested on April 28 and remanded.
At the request of her lawyer, she was sent for a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche Hospital. She was found fit to stand trial according to her medical report.
Returning for plea
Marshall Turner, 25, of Beaconsfield, appeared in provincial court on July 28 to enter a plea to several charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Turner appeared in provincial court in custody on May 15 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
He was charged with flight from police and breach of probation on May 14 in Wilmot; two counts of breach of a release order and breach of probation on May 7 in Wilmot; and breach of a release order and breach of probation on April 8 in Wilmot.
He also appeared in provincial court on March 24 and pleaded not guilty to several other charges laid against him by the RCMP. His trial dates were set for April 21-22, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Turner pleaded not guilty to breaching his release order (ankle bracelet) on Feb. 16 in Wilmot; driving while prohibited on Oct. 29, 2025, at Lakeville; possession of a stolen utility trailer, driving while prohibited and breaking into a barn on Nov. 17, 2025, at Meductic.
Trial on three charges
Noah Saulis, 24, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for trial in provincial court on July 30, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by the RCMP.
Saulis was charged with assault and two counts of breaching his release order on April 28. He was arrested and released on conditions following a bail hearing. His lawyer entered his not-guilty plea on his behalf at a court appearance on July 28.
He also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 17 and pleaded not guilty to two other charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was set for March 19, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Saulis appeared in provincial court via teleconference in custody on Feb. 6 and was released with conditions. He was charged with breaching a no-contact order on Feb. 5 at Aroostook and assaulting a female victim on Dec. 13, 2025, at Aroostook.
He will also appear for trial in provincial court on Dec. 21 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to another assault charge laid by the RCMP. Saulis was charged with assaulting another man on June 20, 2025, at Perth-Andover.
Facing sex charges
Dustin Coté, 22, of Richibucto Road, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on four charges laid by local police.
Coté was charged with sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, and indecent exposure for an incident on Jan. 1, 2024. He was also charged with breaching an undertaking by failing to appear in court in Woodstock on April 28. He appeared in court on July 28 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Charged with more offences
Ronald David Whitfield, 29, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on July 28 to answer nine new charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Whitfield was charged with uttering threats and assault with a weapon involving a female victim on April 7 in Woodstock; two counts of possession of a firearm without a licence, pointing a firearm (a pump-action shotgun), possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, carrying a firearm in careless manner, and improper storage of a firearm on April 8 in Woodstock; and assault on a female victim on April 10 in Woodstock.
He is also awaiting plea on another set of firearm charges laid by Woodstock Police. Whitfield appeared in provincial court in custody via video on June 8 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions following his arrest during a police operation on Elm Street in Woodstock on June 2.
He was charged with possession of a firearm without a licence, pointing a firearm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and carrying a firearm in a careless manner.
Woodstock Police laid the charges after executing a search warrant at a residence on Elm Street when a firearm and a quantity of ammunition were seized. The seizure was conducted in cooperation with the Fredericton Police Force Emergency Response Team. Police said specialized tactics, including specialty munitions, were utilized to bring the operation to a safe and swift conclusion.
Facing two charges
Brandon Kenneth McKee, 20, of Dead Creek, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
McKee was charged with causing a public disturbance and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (an axe) in connection with an incident on March 5 at the Royal Bank in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on July 28 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Released with conditions
Samuel Page, 61, of Centreville, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on July 28 after being arrested on an outstanding warrant. 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 Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Page was charged with failing to appear in court on Jan. 26, 2024, in Woodstock, and driving while prohibited, impaired driving, and failing to stop at the scene of an accident on Oct. 12, 2023, in Hartland.
Charged with impaired
Gordon William How, 63, of Jackson Falls, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an impaired driving charge laid by Woodstock Police.
How was charged following an incident on March 24 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on July 28 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Awaiting plea on two charges
Rocky Anthony Tucker, 50, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Tucker was charged with assault involving a female victim on May 8 and breach of an undertaking (no-contact) on May 13 in Woodstock. He appeared in court on July 28 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Returning for plea
Kyle Glen Anderson, 41, Hartland, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by the RCMP.
Anderson was charged with breach of probation, assault on a male victim, and mischief causing property damage to a porch, following an incident on April 1, 2026, at Ashland. He appeared in provincial court on July 28 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
During his court appearance, Judge Rose Campbell reminded Anderson there was a $450 restitution order related to another separate matter still pending by Oct. 27.
Alleged ankle bracelet violation
Jason Davenport, 46, of Upper Kintore, appeared in provincial court on July 28 to answer a breach charge laid by the RCMP.
Davenport was charged with breaching a release order by violating electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet). He was brought into custody on July 7 and released with conditions. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and his trial date was set for Aug. 11, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Not-guilty after trial
Gabriel Blake VanHorne, 25, of Hartley Settlement, appeared in provincial court on July 28 for a verdict following his trial on two charges laid by the RCMP. Judge Rose Campbell found him not guilty on both counts.
VanHorne was charged with assault involving a female victim, committing mischief to household items concerning a family dispute on April 19, 2025, at Hartley Settlement. A breach charge was withdrawn by the Crown.
Mental health assessment
Dominic (Dominique) Gagnon, 40, of Beechwood, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on July 28 for a monitoring hearing. The accused told the court he/she wanted to re-elect his/her mode of trial from judge and jury to provincial court. Judge Rose Campbell set another monitoring hearing for Aug. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Gagnon was charged by the RCMP with committing public mischief, uttering threats and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on Feb. 17 at Stickney.
On Tuesday, the court heard Gagnon was in custody at the Restigouche hospital for a 30-day mental health assessment after being arrested on a breach charge in Edmundston. The accused requested the assessment.
In March, Gagnon appeared in provincial court in custody via video for a fitness hearing after being remanded for a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. The accused was found fit to stand trial at that time and was held for a bail hearing on March 20 and then released with conditions. The court heard other charges were also pending in Fredericton.
On May 26, Gagnon was also charged with trespassing at the Sanctuary House in Woodstock on Jan. 31.
Released to rehab
Mason Darren Bustard, 19, of Woodstock, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on July 28 for plea on numerous charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP.
The court heard he had a bail hearing on July 15 and was released with strict conditions to a rehab facility in Moncton. A warrant was held on file until his next appearance via teleconference on Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m. The court heard Bustard intends to plead not guilty to all charges.
Bustard appeared in provincial court in custody via video on July 13 to answer 16 charges laid by Woodstock Police.
The charges against Bustard include theft of tools, possession of stolen tools, prowling at night on Cambridge Street, five counts of attempting to steal from a vehicle, two counts of mischief causing property damage to the key and ignition of two vehicles, five counts of theft, and possession of stolen property. All the alleged incidents took place on April 7-8 in Woodstock.
At an earlier court appearance, Bustard was also charged with possession of stolen property, possession of break-in tools and breach of probation in connection with a rash of vehicle break-ins on April 7-8 in the Elizabeth Street, Creighton Street and Rose Court areas. He was also charged with theft of a motor vehicle from the Legacy Ford dealership in Woodstock on April 30.
Bustard was also charged with flight from police and mischief causing property damage to a lawn at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation); breach of probation, possession of a stolen truck, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (a knife), and breaching a release order in Woodstock; two counts of breaching his release order and mischief causing property damage to his ankle bracelet in Bloomfield; and flight from police and theft of fuel in Florenceville-Bristol. All the incidents are alleged to have occurred on April 30.
