Grafton man sentenced to 30 months
William Jarred O’Donnell, 30, of Grafton, was sentenced to 30 months in jail, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 25.
Judge Natalie LeBlanc also ordered him to register with the federal DNA database and prohibited him from the use of firearms for 10 years.
O’Donnell had been in custody since he was arrested by Woodstock Police last May. He will have 450 days left to serve once his remand time is applied. He had a prior criminal record.
He pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, and possession of fentanyl, all for the purpose of trafficking in connection with an incident on May 21, 2024, in Woodstock. He was remanded to jail and denied bail. He also pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of crime ($20,000 in cash).
Woodstock Police also charged O’Donnell with breach of a release order and mail theft for a separate incident in Woodstock on May 2, 2024. He pleaded guilty.
In addition to his jail sentence, O’Donnell’s truck and the $20,000 in cash were forfeited to the crown. The court heard he was selling drugs from his truck. He told Judge LeBlanc he planned to sever ties with his pro-criminal friends and return to work as a welder following his release.
“Make better choices so you never again find yourself in this situation,” Judge LeBlanc said.
Sentencing adjourned two charges
Caleb Crain, 40, of Piercemont, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on March 25 after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until April 9 at 1:30 p.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Crain was charged with assault causing bodily harm to a female victim, unlawful confinement, and uttering threats following an incident on Dec. 10, 2022, near Florenceville-Bristol. He pleaded guilty to the lesser included offence of common assault and guilty to uttering threats. The crown withdrew the confinement charge.
On March 25, Crain attempted to withdraw his guilty plea and send the matter back to trial, but Judge Natalie LeBlanc denied his request due to insufficient grounds. The court heard the crown was seeking a three-month jail sentence for Crain.
Carlingford woman awaits sentencing
Kortney Boyer, 32, of Carlingford, appeared in provincial court on March 25 for sentencing after pleading guilty to an assault charge. Her sentencing was adjourned until April 1 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Boyer with assaulting a female victim stemming from an incident on March 18, 2024, at Bairdsville.
Held for bail hearing
Mitchell McKenzie, 39, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 24 after being arrested on two new charges. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on March 27 at 9:30 a.m.
McKenzie was charged by RCMP with breach of a release order and committing mischief concerning an incident in Woodstock. He was arrested on the weekend.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody on March 17 following a five-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. Judge Karen Lee found McKenzie fit to stand trial and released him with conditions, but he returned to custody.
He was scheduled to return to court for plea on April 8 at 9:30 a.m. on more charges. His medical report indicated he struggles with heavy drug and alcohol abuse, affecting his mental health, but that he understood the charge against him and the court process.
McKenzie appeared in court in custody on March 10 after being arrested on a warrant. RCMP charged him with assaulting another man with a weapon (a wooden pole) following an incident on July 24, 2024, at Wotstak. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 25, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, but then failed to return to court for plea on Dec. 17, 2024.
Newburg man back in custody
Jeffrey Richard Bull, 45, of Newburg, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on March 24 to face two new charges laid by RCMP. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on March 27 at 1:30 p.m.
Bull was charged with breaking into a dwelling house and breach of probation stemming from an incident on March 16 at Bulls Creek.
He is also scheduled for trial in provincial court on Aug. 7 and Aug. 29 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two other charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Bull pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on Jan. 7. A pre-trial conference was also set for June 27 at 1:30 p.m.
Bull appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 9, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged with aggravated assault and breach of probation concerning an incident on Sept. 8, 2024, at 2 a.m. when a man suffered a broken elbow after being struck by a bat on St. James Street in Woodstock. The alleged victim was a newcomer to the town for only three days.
Remanded for bail hearing
Daniel Jr. Francis, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on March 24 and was remanded to jail. He returns to court in custody for a bail hearing on March 27 at 1:30 p.m.
Francis was charged by RCMP with possession of cocaine, breach of a release order (curfew), and breach of probation, in connection with an incident on March 24 at Neqotkuk.
He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bailing hearing on Feb. 24 and was released with conditions but was not present in court on March 18 and a warrant was held on file.
RCMP charged Francis with mischief causing property damage to a door and breach of probation concerning an incident on Feb. 20 at Neqotkuk. The crown intends to withdraw those charges.
Bail hearing adjourned
Trevor Lee Crain, 49, of Killoween, appeared in provincial court on March 24 for a bail hearing on three charges laid by RCMP. The bail hearing was adjourned until March 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Crain was charged with three counts of breaching his release order (house arrest), concerning incidents on Jan. 30, Feb. 2 and Feb. 7 at Beechwood.
Crain also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 to set new dates for his trial after pleading not guilty to other multiple charges laid by RCMP. His trial dates were set for July 25 at 9:30 a.m., May 30 at 1:30 p.m. and Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
He was charged by RCMP with possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), resisting arrest, and breach of a release order in connection with an incident on July 1, 2024, at Killoween. The trial will be held on Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
He was also charged with breaking into a residence and committing sexual assault for another incident between May 1 and May 23, 2023, at Moose Mountain. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 25 at 1:30 p.m.
He also faces a charge of possessing stolen property for a separate incident on May 5, 2024. The trial will be held on Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Crain was charged by RCMP with break and enter at a dwelling house, breaching an undertaking on June 15, 2023, at Moose Mountain, and committing an assault involving a female victim on June 11, 2023, at Killoween. The trial on these matters will be held on July 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Crain is facing two more charges for incidents on July 11, 2023. His trial will be held on May 30 at 1:30 p.m. He is also awaiting trial for an incident on Dec. 27, 2024.
Released with conditions
Daniel Jr. Constandinides, 19, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 24 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on April 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Constandinides was charged by RCMP with breaching an undertaking and obstructing police for an incident in Perth-Andover. He was arrested on the weekend.
Returning for plea
Ashley Marie Bernard, 39, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on March 25 to answer two charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until April 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Bernard was charged with theft and breach of probation concerning a recent incident at Neqotkuk. She appeared in court in custody on March 5 and was released with conditions.
Manufacturing firearms
Kevin Manuel Cedros, 42, of Aroostook Junction, appeared in provincial court for sentencing on March 25 after pleading guilty to seven of 10 charges related to the manufacture of firearms using a 3D printer. His sentencing was adjourned until April 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Cedros appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 5, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was also placed under house arrest. He was ordered to reside in Aroostook Junction and follow a curfew.
RCMP arrested Cedros after police received a report on Aug. 15, 2024, about a person manufacturing and selling 3D-printed firearms at a residence on Route 130 in Aroostook. Search warrants were executed, and police uncovered 3D-printed firearms, ammunition, numerous firearm parts, a 3D printer, prohibited magazines and electronic devices.
Arrested and released
Jennifer Everett of Perth-Andover appeared in provincial court in custody on March 25 and was released with conditions. Sheriffs arrested her on a warrant for failing to appear for an earlier court date.
Everett returns to court for plea on April 15 at 9:30 a.m. She was charged with uttering threats on Feb. 11 in Perth-Andover. She also has other outstanding charges.
Charged with identity theft
Christopher Isaiah Eatmon, 30, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on April 15 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on four charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Eatmon was charged with two counts of forgery related to a First Nations status card, identify theft, and fraudulent impersonation for an incident on Oct. 7, 2024 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on March 25 via teleconference.
Refusing a breathalyzer
Joseph Richard, 60, of Belleville, will appear for trial in provincial court on March 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to refusing a breathalyzer demand.
Richard was charged by RCMP in connection with an incident on Dec. 24, 2024, in Pembroke. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on March 25. A monitoring date for his trial was set for Dec. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Trial set on firearm charges
Kathleen Paul, 35, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on March 25 and pleaded not guilty to two firearm charges. Her trial was set for March 23, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Paul was charged by RCMP with possession of a prohibited firearm and being an occupant of a vehicle, knowing it carried a firearm, on Sept. 25, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She was arrested on Jan. 30 and released with conditions. The court heard she also has other charges in Edmundston.
Plea adjourned to new date
Zachary Don Brooks, 21, of Peel, appeared in provincial court for plea on March 25 on charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. The matter was adjourned until April 15 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Brooks appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 20 and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him with assaulting a female victim, assault by choking, unlawful confinement and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone on Feb. 12 at Lower Brighton.
Woodstock Police charged him with assaulting a female victim and unlawful confinement for an incident on Feb. 19 in Woodstock. Brooks also faces a charge of assaulting another woman on Nov. 24, 2024, in Lower Brighton.
Judge and jury trial
Jordan Underhill, 30, of Wakefield, appeared in provincial court on March 25 and elected trial by judge and jury on two charges laid by RCMP. His trial date will be set at the Court of King’s Bench on the next Motion’s Day on April 1.
Underhill was charged by RCMP with sexual assault involving a female victim and making a visual recording without consent in connection with an incident between Sept. 1, 2022, and Oct. 19, 2024, at Wakefield.
Trial date set
Henry Douglas Oakes, 54, of Fredericton, formerly of Greenfield, will appear for trial in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. He appeared in provincial court on March 25 for monitoring about his trial.
Oakes appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 4 after being arrested on a warrant. He was released with conditions.
He was charged by Woodstock Police with impaired driving on Aug. 6, 2024, and theft from the Superstore on July 12, 2024, in Woodstock. He was also charged by RCMP with breach of an undertaking on May 15, 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol. Another monitoring date for his trial was set for May 20 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he will be ready to proceed.
Awaiting plea on multiple charges
Jeffrey Pike, 29, of Juniper, appeared in provincial court on March 25 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until April 15 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Pike was charged with two counts of assault involving a female victim on Dec. 25, 2024, and Dec. 27, 2024, at Juniper; assault with a weapon (a dresser), and uttering threats between Dec. 25, 2024 and Dec. 27, 2024, at Juniper.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 14 on four other charges laid by RCMP and was released with conditions.
Pike was charged with two counts of breaching an undertaking (no contact order) on Feb. 7 and Feb. 9 at Juniper; and breach of an undertaking and obstructing the course of justice on Feb. 10 at Juniper. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant as part of his release.
Not-guilty plea on assault charges
Joshua Hanlon, 30, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on March 25 and pleaded not guilty to three counts of assault. His trial date was set for March 23, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Hanlon with assaulting a female victim on Jan. 1, between Jan. 15-25, and again on Jan. 31 at Neqotkuk. He was released on an undertaking until his trial.
Neqotkuk man awaiting bail
Kyrin Moulton, 19, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in court in custody by video on March 25 to set a date for a bail hearing. He returns to court in custody for his bail hearing on March 31 at 1:30 p.m.
Moulton was charged by RCMP with aggravated assault involving another man, breaching a release order, and breach of probation for an incident on Nov. 23, 2024, at Perth-Andover. He has not yet entered a plea to the charges. Moulton has a prior criminal record.
Facing two flight charges
David Fleming, 19, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on March 25 to answer two flight charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until April 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Fleming was charged with two counts of fleeing police on Feb. 15 in Beaconsfield and in Aroostook.
Charges withdrawn
The crown withdrew charges laid against John Perley (now deceased) and Tara Sappier of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) on March 25.
They were each charged with uttering forged documents (cheques) and fraud over $5,000 in connection with incidents between Sept. 12 and Oct. 6, 2022, at Neqotkuk.
The charges are related to a series of cheques stolen from the band office allegedly cashed by several individuals in the community. Other charges have also been laid.
Facing assault charges
Jeffrey Clark, 41, of Newbridge, appeared in provincial court on March 25 and pleaded not guilty to two assault charges. His trial was set for Feb. 5, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Clark with assaulting a female victim and assault by choking concerning an incident on Feb. 1 at Wicklow. A monitoring date for his trial was also set for Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Plea pending on assault charge
Nicole Gagnon, 42, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on March 25 to answer an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until April 15 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
RCMP charged Gagnon with assaulting a male victim in connection with an incident on July 1, 2024, at Bath.
Trial scheduled
Gabriel VanHorne, 24, of Hartley Settlement, appeared in provincial court on March 25 and pleaded not guilty to an assault charge. His trial date was scheduled for April 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
VanHorne was charged by RCMP with assaulting a female victim stemming from an incident on Jan. 29 at Hartley Settlement. He was released on an undertaking until his trial.
Alleged assault at Dead Creek
Bradley Collicott, 50, of Dead Creek, appeared in provincial court on March 25 to answer an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until April 15 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
RCMP charged Collicott with assault involving a female victim following an incident on Nov. 3, 2024, at Dead Creek. He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
Multiple trial dates
Justin Ryan Shea, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on March 25 for monitoring about his trials and to enter a plea on a new charge.
Shea appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Feb. 27 and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him with breaching his release order concerning an incident on Feb. 18 in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.
He also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 4 and pleaded not guilty to two drug trafficking charges. His trial was rescheduled for Jan. 16, 2026, and Jan. 19, 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. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Shea appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged by Woodstock Police with break, enter and theft at a dwelling house on Creighton Street on Sept. 26, 2024, and an additional charge of breaching an undertaking (curfew). He pleaded not guilty and his trial date was rescheduled for Sept. 12 and Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
A co-accused, James Blair Hovey, 27, of Perth-Andover, faces charges for the same alleged break-in and will stand trial with Shea on Sept. 12 and Sept. 24. Hovey is also facing other additional charges and he remains in custody.
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 rescheduled for Jan. 21, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
In custody on eight charges
James Blair Hovey, 28, of Perth Andover, will appear in provincial court in custody by video on March 27 at 9:30 a.m. or plea on several charges laid by RCMP.
Hovey was charged with assaulting another man, theft of a vehicle and breaching his curfew on Oct. 25, 2024, at Perth-Andover; and flight from police, assaulting police, theft of a vehicle, dangerous driving and breaching his curfew on Nov. 27, 2024, in Plaster Rock. He waived his bail until later.
Hovey was also charged by Woodstock Police with breach of probation and break, enter and theft at a dwelling house on Creighton Street on Sept. 26, 2024. He pleaded not guilty and his trial date was rescheduled for Sept. 12 and Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m. The court heard he also has other charges in Fredericton and Edmundston.
Sentencing set on multiple charges
Jack Michael Pirie, 20, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on March 25 and pleaded guilty to multiple charges laid by Woodstock Police. His sentencing date was set for June 10 at 1:30 p.m.
Woodstock Police charged Pirie with assault, assault by choking involving a female victim, and uttering threats in connection with an incident on May 1-2, 2024, in Woodstock.
He was also charged with assaulting police and resisting arrest on June 8, 2024, in Woodstock. Another charge of assault with a weapon (scissors and a knife) involving a female victim was withdrawn by the crown.
Pirie appeared in provincial court in custody on June 10, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. The court heard he entered a rehab facility in Moncton for three months.
Woodstock man gets trial date
Patrick Rattray, 30, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on March 26-27, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to four new charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set a court appearance on March 25.
Rattray was charged with assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim, assault by choking, uttering threats and failing to provide the necessities of life in connection with incidents between Jan. 1 and Feb. 9, 2024, in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 10, 2024, and was released with conditions. Rattray was charged by Woodstock Police with breaching a peace bond, uttering threats, assault, and mischief in connection with an incident on Oct. 9, 2024, in Woodstock. A monitoring date for his trial was set for Dec. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
