Sentence pending for Neqotkuk man
A Neqotkuk man will return to court next month for sentencing on charges related to a violent domestic assault in the community almost two years ago.
Jerico Perley, 23, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Aug. 25 after changing his plea to guilty on charges laid by the RCMP.
After hearing final submissions from the Crown and defence counsel, Judge Karen Lee reserved her decision on sentence until Sept. 17 at 1:30 p.m.
Perley was charged with assault with a weapon involving a female victim, two counts of uttering threats, possession of a prohibited weapon (a guard dog baton/taser), possession of a firearm (shotgun) without a licence, assault, assault by choking, and improper storage of a firearm following an incident on Sept. 15 and Sept. 18, 2024, at Neqotkuk. He appeared in court in custody and was released with conditions.
Perley pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon, one count of uttering threats, assault, possession of a firearm without a licence, and improper storage of a shotgun. The Crown withdrew the remaining charges. Perley had no prior criminal record.
Crown Prosecutor Charles Courturier recommended Perley be sentenced to 12 months in jail due to the violence and weapons involved in two incidents. He requested that Perley be ordered to register with the federal DNA database and that he be prohibited from the use of firearms for 10 years. All weapons seized during the investigation are to be forfeited to the Crown. Perley must also have no contact with the female victim and her child.
Defence Counsel Alex Carleton suggested that Perley receive 20 months of house arrest, followed by two years of probation, and a $750 fine. He said his client was receiving counselling, working as a carpenter in the community, and had had no further problems with the police since being placed on a release order. The court also heard alcohol and drugs were not involved in the incidents, and a psychological assessment did not provide conclusive evidence of a mental disorder.
“I’m sorry, I’ve changed and I’m going to continue to change,” Perley told the judge.
Sentencing postponed
London Murchison, 20, of Plaster Rock, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Aug. 25 after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m. to allow for the submission of a victim impact statement.
Murchison was charged with assault with a weapon (a knife) and possession of a prohibited weapon (a butterfly knife) concerning an incident on Sept. 2, 2024, at Plaster Rock.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser included offences of common assault and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants.
Sentencing in September
Joshua Matthew Jarrett, 39, of Woodstock, will appear for sentencing in provincial court in custody on Sept. 14 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading guilty to several charges. He was scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 25, when the matter was adjourned to allow submission of a victim impact statement.
Jarrett pleaded guilty to theft of a truck and flight from police on Feb. 5 in East Brighton. The Crown withdrew three other charges. He appeared in court in custody in March for a bail hearing and was released on conditions, but was later arrested in Fredericton on other matters.
Jarrett was also charged with mischief causing property damage to an ankle bracelet on March 12 in Woodstock and obstructing police on Sept. 25, 2025, at Dow Settlement.
Trial on sex charges
Dustin Coté, 22, of Richibucto Road, will appear for trial in provincial court in custody on Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 21 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to 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 in custody via video on Aug. 18 after being arrested in Fredericton on other charges. He was remanded to jail after a bail hearing.
Facing two charges
Brandon Kenneth McKee, 20, of Dead Creek, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 15 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 was scheduled to enter a plea on Aug. 25, when the matter was adjourned to allow disclosure of bank surveillance video.
Awaiting plea and trial
Chad Brooker, 36, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by the RCMP. He was scheduled to enter a plea on Aug. 25 when the matter was adjourned to allow him time to consult legal counsel.
Brooker was charged with assault involving a female victim in connection with an incident on Dec. 15, 2025, in Williamstown; theft of a snowmobile on Jan. 10 in Hartland; and possession of a stolen snowmobile on Jan. 11 in Hartland.
At an earlier court appearance, he pleaded not guilty to 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. His trial was set for April 1-2, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. A pre-trial conference was also booked for Jan. 5, 2027, at 1:30 p.m.
Final submissions
Cindy Demerchant, 53, of Lower Kintore, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 26 at 1:30 p.m. for the continuation of her trial on a theft charge.
Demerchant was charged with break, enter, and theft of food and money from Tim Hortons in Perth-Andover between May 9 and May 31, 2024. She pleaded not guilty.
Evidence presented by the Crown at trial included video surveillance from the restaurant. Testimony from staff revealed that Demerchant was an employee who allegedly entered the premises after hours.
Incident in Maxwell
Pipo Michaud, 52, of Maxwell, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 15 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by the RCMP.
Michaud was charged with uttering threats against a female victim on May 20 in Maxwell, and possession of a firearm without a licence on May 26 in Maxwell. He was scheduled for plea on Aug. 25 when the matter was adjourned to allow time for his lawyer to review disclosure from the Crown.
Three sets of charges
Jordan Hill, 21, of Greenfield, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 29 at 1:30 p.m. for plea on several charges laid by the RCMP.
Hill appeared in provincial court via video in custody on April 9 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged with two counts of uttering threats, breach of a no-contact order, committing arson at a residence and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on April 1 at Greenfield.
He also appeared in provincial court via teleconference in custody on March 13 on other charges and was released with conditions.
RCMP charged Hill with assaulting a woman between Feb. 15 and March 12; assaulting the same woman, breaching a no-contact order, and taking a vehicle without consent on March 12 in Greenfield.
Hill was also charged with assault, assault with a weapon (a ruler), breaking into a dwelling house, and committing mischief stemming from an incident on March 13, 2025, in Juniper. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was scheduled for Jan. 21, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Plea on firearm charges
Shawn Johnston, 47, of Mainstream, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 15 at 9:30 a.m. to answer several firearm charges laid by the RCMP.
Johnston was charged with careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, and possession of a prohibited weapon, concerning an incident on June 9 at Mainstream. He appeared in court on Aug. 25 when the matter was adjourned at the request of his defence counsel.
Plea adjourned
Tina Noella Albert, 54, of Upper Kintore, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a threat charge laid by the RCMP.
Albert was charged with uttering threats against another woman in connection with an incident on April 13 at Craig’s Flat near Perth-Andover. She appeared in court on Aug. 25 when the matter was adjourned to allow the Crown more time to file her disclosure.
Released with conditions
Adam Grant Saunders, 29, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 25 to answer a breach charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 27 at 9:30 a.m.
Saunders was charged with breaching a no-contact order on Aug. 9 in Woodstock. He was arrested, held for a bail hearing, and then released on conditions.
He also appeared in provincial court on June 9 and elected trial by judge alone at the Court of King’s Bench on other charges.
Saunders pleaded not guilty to break and enter and unlawful confinement, and a preliminary hearing was set for Dec. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
He will also appear for trial in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to assault. Woodstock Police charged Saunders in connection with an incident on June 6, 2025, in Woodstock.
Agreed to peace bond
Jocelyn Cronk, 40, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 25 and agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond related to several charges laid by RCMP.
Cronk was charged with two counts of assault on a male victim, uttering threats, and unlawful confinement on June 23, 2025, in Aroostook, and breaching an undertaking (no contact) on June 23, 2025, at Aroostook.
She pleaded not guilty, and her trial date was scheduled for Feb. 19, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. The trial was cancelled on Tuesday because of the peace bond, which will also result in the charges being withdrawn.
Returning for plea
Kyler Tofflemire, 30, of Bath will appear in provincial court on Sept. 8 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by the RCMP.
Tofflemire was charged with unlawful entry at a dwelling house between July 26 and 27 in Beechwood, and assault on July 6 at Beechwood. He appeared in court on Aug. 25 when the matter was adjourned to the new date to allow him more time to consult legal counsel. He was released on an undertaking until that time.
Charged with impaired
Gordon William How, 63, of Jackson Falls, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 25 and pleaded not guilty to an impaired driving charge laid by Woodstock Police. His trial was booked for July 15, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
How was charged following an incident on March 24 in Woodstock. A monitoring hearing was also scheduled for May 6, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he will be ready to proceed to trial.
Guilty of assault
Mitchell Hillman, 36, of Wilmot, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. after being found guilty after trial on an assault charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Hillman was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats on Sept. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. The Crown withdrew the threat charge, and his trial went ahead regarding the assault.
Hillman pleaded not guilty to mischief, dangerous driving, flight from police, and obstruction in connection with another incident on March 13, 2025, in Woodstock. He failed to appear for trial, and the court issued an arrest warrant. He was later released from custody, and a new trial date was booked for Oct. 7.
On Aug. 25, he appeared in court for a monitoring hearing, and the matter was adjourned to Sept. 18 to confirm that he has legal counsel to proceed to trial.
Trial wraps up for Wotstak man
Takoda Louis Lee Christian, 20, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), will appear in provincial court in custody on Aug. 26 at 12 p.m. for the conclusion of his trial related to an alleged assault at the AYR Motor Centre in Woodstock.
Christian pleaded not guilty to assault causing bodily harm, mischief, and uttering threats concerning an incident on March 25, 2025. Police said a 16-year-old victim suffered significant injuries in the incident and was transported to the Upper River Valley Hospital for treatment.
Christian also appeared in provincial court via video, in custody, on Aug. 4, and pleaded not guilty to four other charges laid by the RCMP. His trial dates were set for Nov. 19 at 1:30 p.m. and Nov. 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Christian was charged with uttering threats, committing mischief, and two counts of breaching a release order stemming from an incident on June 28.
Christian appeared in provincial court in custody on July 6 and changed his plea to guilty on separate charges laid by the RCMP.
Christian was 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, 2025, in Lansdowne. He pleaded guilty to the threat charge, and the Crown withdrew the remaining two charges.
He also pleaded guilty to breach of a release order (no contact) for another incident on May 9-10, 2025, at Wotstak. Christian was also charged with breach of a no-contact order on April 14, 2025, in Wotstak. He pleaded guilty, and a sentencing date will be set after his trial matters conclude.
Trial pending on multiple charges
Gabriel John Tomah, 22, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Aug. 25 for a monitoring hearing about his trial after pleading not guilty to multiple charges laid by the RCMP.
Tomah’s trial dates were confirmed for Oct. 8-9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., Nov. 2, 2026, and Nov. 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. The RCMP charged him with sexual assault, assault causing bodily harm, pointing a firearm at another person, and possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence.
He appeared in court in custody on May 7, 2025, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
