Woodstock woman found guilty of drug trafficking
Anastasia Shtukin, 25, of Woodstock, was found guilty on two counts of possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking when she appeared in provincial court on Aug. 14 for a verdict after her trial.
Judge Lucie Mathurin set her sentencing date for Oct. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
The RCMP charged Shtukin in connection with an incident on Feb. 25, 2022, on Beardsley Road in Lower Woodstock. Her arrest was part of an undercover police investigation into drug trafficking in the river valley.
In delivering her verdict, Judge Mathurin reviewed the evidence from the trial, which revealed that packages containing crystal meth were being delivered to Shtukin’s home through Canada Post. During the execution of a search warrant, police seized 4,000 grams of crystal meth, scales, baggies and drug paraphernalia from her residence.
Shtukin testified she used drugs but said she was not selling them. Police evidence indicated she had conversations with drug dealers online and collected a $50 fee for receiving a package mailed to her address.
On the day of the incident, Shtukin was sitting in her car in the driveway waiting for packages to be delivered and directed an undercover officer, posing as a Canada Post employee, to place two parcels on her porch. She testified she believed shoes were being delivered to her address for a friend. Shtukin had no prior criminal record.
Fined $2,000 for impaired driving
Chatawna Nicholas, 52, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Aug. 13 after changing her plea to guilty on an impaired driving charge. She was fined $2,000 and handed a 12-month driving prohibition.
Nicholas was charged by the RCMP in connection with an incident on March 19, 2023, at Neqotkuk. The court heard police arrested Nicholas in a parking lot outside a sports bar in the community. Her blood alcohol reading was more than double the legal limit. She had dated prior criminal record.
Remanded for bail hearing
Nicholas Erikson, 34, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 14 for a bail hearing. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
The RCMP charged Erikson with resisting arrest on Aug. 13 at Benton, as well as breaking into a dwelling house and possession of stolen property on Aug. 12 at Oak Mountain. He has a prior criminal record.
Charged with assault
Lucio Esparza Sanchez, 49, of Calgary, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 12 and pleaded not guilty to two assault charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Sanchez was charged with assaulting two other men concerning an incident on Oct. 15, 2024, in Woodstock. He was released on an undertaking and returns to court on Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date.
In custody awaiting plea
Connell McLean, 29, of Centreville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 14 for a plea on several charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 11 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.
Trial date pending
Loic Boulay, 22, of Oromocto, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 14 and pleaded not guilty to five charges laid by Woodstock Police. He returns to court in custody on Aug. 19 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date.
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. His trial was set for May 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. That trial date is expected to be moved up since Boulay was taken into custody.
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.
11 charges in road rage incident
An Upper Woodstock man has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges in relation to a road rage incident on May 27 at the intersection of Main Street and Deakin Drive in Woodstock.
Wyatt Mark Belyea, 28, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 15 to enter his plea. His trial dates were set for Nov. 17 and Nov. 28 at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was also scheduled for Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m. to deal with a possible resolution with the crown.
Belyea was charged 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.
Hearing rescheduled
Ronald Dwayne Scott, 30, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 19 at 1:30 p.m. for a hearing about an alleged breach of his house arrest.
Scott appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Aug. 11 and waived his bail. He is also facing new charges laid by Woodstock Police for assault, committing mischief, and three counts of uttering threats concerning an incident on Aug. 8 in Woodstock.
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. He was arrested by Woodstock Police and released from custody on a release order. Scott had a limited prior criminal record.
Charges withdrawn
The crown withdrew all charges laid against Nathan Aaron Sewell, 36, of Woodstock, when he appeared in provincial court on Aug. 13.
Sewell was charged by the RCMP with possession of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine, both for the purpose of trafficking, and three counts of possession of stolen property (an ID card, registration and mail) concerning an incident on Feb. 15, 2024, at Bairdsville.
He pleaded not guilty and went to trial in provincial court on May 15. As the trial began, the crown withdrew one trafficking charge for the methamphetamine and one count of possession of stolen mail. Sewell’s trial was then adjourned to August 18-19. Those trial dates were vacated since all remaining charges were withdrawn.
Trial decision reserved
Tanner Gridzak, 24, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 13 for the continuation of his trial on charges laid by the RCMP. The trial concluded, and Judge Karen Lee reserved her decision on a verdict until Sept. 9 at 1:30 p.m.
Gridzak was charged with uttering threats and two counts of assault with a weapon (a knife) involving two different victims, and impaired driving in connection with an incident on Nov. 11, 2023, near Arthurette.
During the trial, Gridzak testified about a drinking party with two friends that resulted in a disagreement and an alleged altercation between the three men. Police were called about the incident.
In an agreed statement of facts, the court heard Gridzak had a blood alcohol reading of more than double the legal limit when police pulled him over around 9:15 p.m. During his arrest, he told police he had a knife in the console of his truck. The knife was entered into evidence by the crown.
Not-guilty verdict
Joseph Martin, 38, of Perth-Andover, was found not guilty on three charges when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 14 for a verdict following his trial.
Judge Henrik Tonning found Martin not guilty of possession of a stolen side-by-side and not guilty of breach of probation on Feb. 21, 2024, in Perth-Andover.
He was also found not guilty of indictable assault for another incident on July 4, 2024, in Perth-Andover. The Crown withdrew four other charges.
Martin pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm, breach of probation, and breaching a no-contact order on July 4, 2024, in Perth-Andover. His sentencing date for those offences was set for Sept. 25 at 1:30 p.m. Martin has been in custody since his arrest.
Awaiting bail hearing
Greg Paul McCormick, 36, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 14 to set a date for his bail hearing. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 8 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
McCormick appeared in court on July 4 for a fitness hearing following a five-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. He was found fit to stand trial in accordance with his medical report.
McCormick was charged by the RCMP with arson causing damage to a dwelling house, three counts of uttering threats, breaking into a dwelling house to commit mischief, three counts of assaulting a police officer while threatening to use gasoline, and causing injury to a dog by choking it in connection with an incident on June 25 at Wotstak. No plea has yet been entered.
Trial proceedings continue
Johnny Lee Bloodsworth, 39, of Arthurette, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 14-15 for the continuation of his trial on multiple sex charges.
Crown testimony was expected to wrap up on Friday afternoon with Defence Counsel Wanda Severns representing the accused. 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.
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.
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.
Bail decision adjourned
Brandon Michael Francis, 30, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 14 for a bail hearing. Judge Leslie Jackson reserved his decision on bail until Aug. 19 at 1:30 p.m.
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.
Charged with trafficking, assault
A warrant is being held on file for Michelle Augustine of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) after she failed to appear in provincial court to answer an assault charge on Aug. 12.
Augustine was also charged with assaulting another woman with a weapon (a stick) on April 29, 2025, at Neqotkuk. The court heard the crown was considering allowing the accused to enter the alternative measures program for the assault charge, but Augustine was not present for the hearing.
Augustine was also charged by the RCMP with trafficking in cocaine in connection with an incident on Aug. 30, 2024, at Neqotkuk. The charge stemmed from an undercover police investigation in the community. She pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Sept. 3-4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
