Wotstak man to serve two years
Jacob Richard Sewell, 36, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Sept. 21 and was sentenced to two years in federal prison after changing his plea to guilty on a drug charge.
Sewell was charged with two counts of trafficking in cocaine in connection with incidents on April 24 and May 2, 2025, in Woodstock. The court heard that Sewell was caught selling a small quantity of cocaine to an undercover police officer during two incidents. With the consent of the Crown, the two counts were rolled into one trafficking charge.
In addition to jail time, Judge Henrik Tonning also ordered Sewell to register with the federal DNA database and prohibited him from the use of firearms for 10 years. Sewell had a limited prior criminal record.
Judge Tonning took note of a pre-sentence report that revealed the accused had no remorse for his actions and described himself as a gangster who liked to party and do drugs. Sewell asked the judge for leniency, but Tonning said there was no evidence that he wanted to change his ways.
After hearing his sentence, Sewell raged and struck the video camera in front of him.
Sewell is also facing assault and threat charges for other separate incidents. He is scheduled for plea on Oct. 13 at 9:30 a.m. on one set of charges, and a sentencing date will be set at that time for those remaining with a guilty plea.
Plea on attempted murder case
A Saint John man appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Sept. 22 to answer charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault.
Gawayne Green, 34, was charged with attempted murder by stabbing another man several times with a knife and committing aggravated assault on July 10 in Centreville.
He returns to court in custody to enter a plea on Sept. 29 at 9:30 a.m. The court denied him bail and ordered no contact with several complainants named in the case.
Kingsclear man in custody for trial
Callum James McGraw, 38, of Kingsclear, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Sept. 21 to answer 14 charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was booked for Dec. 1-4 at 9:30 a.m.
McGraw was charged with assault by choking, aggravated assault, two counts of assault, assault causing bodily harm, three counts of sexual assault, assault with weapons, unlawful confinement, uttering threats, breach of a no-contact order, theft of a vehicle and theft of credit cards.
The charges relate to a series of incidents in Woodstock, Moncton, and Kingsclear First Nation on Oct. 1, 2025, Oct. 22, 2025, Oct. 28-29, 2025, Nov. 1-25, 2025, May 1, May 9-10; June 1-7; and June 26-June 30. McGraw has a lengthy prior criminal record and remains in custody after a bail hearing in Fredericton.
Remanded for bail hearing
Kenneth Lake, 39, of Lansdowne, will appear in provincial court in custody via video for a bail hearing on Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m. Police arrested him on Sept. 15 and remanded him to jail. On Sept. 17, the court adjourned his bail hearing to this week.
RCMP charged Lake with assaulting another man and breaching his release order in connection with an incident on Sept. 14 at Stickney. The court ordered him to have no contact with the complainant.
Lake also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 24 and pleaded not guilty to two other charges the RCMP laid. His trial date was set for Feb. 3, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Lake appeared in custody via video for a bail hearing on Feb. 5 and was released with conditions. He was charged with breaching a no-contact order on Feb. 2 in Lansdowne and assaulting a female victim on Nov. 28, 2025, in Lansdowne.
Sentencing on two charges
Lucas Green, 22, of Richmond Settlement, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 22 and pleaded guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing date was set for Nov. 4 at 1:30 p.m.
Green pleaded guilty to prowling near a dwelling house on June 26 at Mapledale and breaching his release order (curfew) on Oct. 15, 2025, at Mapledale.
The Crown withdrew three other charges of uttering threats on Aug. 13, 2025, at Richmond Corner; assaulting another man with a weapon (a metal pipe); and breach of a no-contact order on Sept. 21, 2025, in Mapledale.
In custody awaiting plea
Zachery Don Brooks, 21, of Lower Brighton, will appear in provincial court in custody via video on Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea on multiple charges. The court denied him bail on Aug. 24 and remanded him.
On Sept. 22, Defence Counsel David Estey requested an adjournment to allow time to seek a resolution with the Crown.
Brooks was charged with assault by choking involving a female victim, breach of a no-contact order, uttering threats, and assault causing bodily harm in connection with an incident on Aug. 20 in Lower Brighton. He was scheduled for plea on Sept. 1 when the matter was adjourned at the request of his defence counsel.
On Aug. 21, Brooks appeared for trial in provincial court and changed his plea to guilty on three of 14 other charges. His sentencing date was set for Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
Brooks was charged with three counts of assault involving a female victim, three counts of assault by choking, one count of unlawful confinement, two counts of uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a phone cord), assault while threatening to use a weapon (a knife), possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, and two counts of breaching a release order (no contact).
The charges stemmed from a series of incidents on Nov. 24, 2024; Feb. 12, Feb. 17, May 28, June 9, June 10, and June 11, 2025, in Lower Brighton; and on June 3 and June 5, 2025, in Hartland.
He pleaded guilty to unlawful confinement and guilty to two counts of the lesser included offence of common assault. The Crown withdrew the remaining 11 charges. The court heard details of a woman being threatened, knocked to the ground, dragged into a house, and held at knifepoint. She was able to send a text message for help, then deleted it from her phone.
Brooks also appeared in provincial court on May 19 and pleaded not guilty to six more charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was moved up to Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m. because he was in custody.
He pleaded not guilty to breaching a no-contact order, uttering threats, assault involving a female victim, assault with a weapon (a broom and a board), assault by choking and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone on Oct. 28, 2025, at Lower Brighton.
Guilty after trial
Crystal Lee Phillips, 44, of East Brighton, was found guilty after trial when she appeared in provincial court on Sept. 22 for a verdict on two charges laid by Woodstock Police. Her sentencing date was set for Jan. 15, 2027, at 1:30 p.m.
Phillips was found guilty of fraudulent impersonation and using a credit card knowing it was obtained by fraudulent means, in Woodstock between Aug. 10, 2019, and June 23, 2023. A third fraud charge was withdrawn at trial.
In rendering her verdict, Judge Rose Campbell told the court Phillips applied for a Walmart credit card in another name and racked up $10,549 on the account.
She is also awaiting sentencing on other charges of breaching her release order and breaking into a dwelling house on July 8, 2025, unlawful entry at a dwelling house and illegal possession of methamphetamine on March 31, 2024, in Woodstock, and resisting arrest on March 16, 2025, at Wilmot. She pleaded guilty, and the Crown withdrew several other charges.
Phillips appeared in provincial court via video in custody on July 29, 2025, for a bail hearing. She was released with conditions to a rehab facility in Shediac.
Sentencing for Grafton incident
Lacy Ann McClendon, 39, of Medford, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Oct. 2 at 9:30 a.m. after changing her plea to guilty on three charges laid by RCMP.
McClendon pleaded guilty to flight from police, dangerous driving, and driving while suspended in connection with an incident on Jan. 31, 2025, in Grafton. The Crown withdrew one other charge. Her sentencing was scheduled for Sept. 22 when Judge Rose Campbell reserved her decision.
The Crown recommended a conditional sentence order, a fine and probation, noting McClendon had six days of remand time to her credit. Defence Counsel Lindsay Paul requested a suspended sentence or conditional discharge. McClendon had no prior criminal record.
Conditional discharge
Tyler Williams, 25, of Beaconsfield, received a conditional discharge and four months of probation when he appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Sept. 22. He was found guilty after trial on a mischief charge.
The RCMP charged Williams with mischief causing property damage to a car window on Nov. 20, 2024, in Beaconsfield. The court heard he threw a rock through the window during an ongoing dispute with two complainants. Williams asked for a peace bond to keep the two people from bothering him further, but Judge Rose Campbell suggested he stay away and have no contact with those involved. Williams had no prior record.
Trials scheduled
Christian Cioc, 57, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on May 20-21, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Cioc was charged with two counts of criminal harassment between Aug. 8, 2025, and Jan. 8, 2026, and stalking a female person between Oct. 18, 2025, and Jan. 26, 2026, in Woodstock.
On Sept. 22, he appeared in court on another charge of breaching a no-contact order. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for June 4, 2027, at 1:30 p.m. A pre-trial conference on both matters will be held on Jan. 5, 2027, at 1:30 p.m.
Facing sex charge
Mitchell Michael Diamond, 21, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m. for a plea on a sex charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Diamond was charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident on Aug. 9, 2025, in Woodstock. He appeared in court on Sept. 22 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Sentencing adjourned
Trevor Lee Crain, 52, of Killoween, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 22 after being released with conditions to return to court for sentencing on several outstanding charges.
Since he has a sexual assault trial scheduled for Oct. 2 at 9:30 a.m., his sentencing was adjourned until that time. Crain pleaded not guilty to breaking into a residence and committing sexual assault on a female victim for an incident between May 1, 2023, and May 23, 2023, at Moose Mountain.
On Sept. 3, he pleaded guilty to failing to appear for his trial on July 8; breaching his release order (house arrest) in connection with three incidents between Jan. 30 and Feb. 7, 2025, at Beechwood; and assaulting a woman on June 11, 2023, at Moose Mountain.
Crain also pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen dirt bike on May 25, 2024, and guilty to unlawful entry at a dwelling house on June 15, 2023, at Moose Mountain. He will be sentenced on those charges on Oct. 2.
Glassville man awaiting trial
Timothy Maurice Thibodeau, 42, of Glassville, will appear for trial in provincial court on Nov. 19 at 1:30 p.m. and Nov. 20 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to a drug trafficking charge laid by the RCMP.
His trial dates were booked at a court appearance on Sept. 21. Thibodeau pleaded not guilty to possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking on Nov. 28, 2023, in Oakland. He was scheduled for an earlier trial but came to court without legal counsel, so the matter was adjourned.
Awaiting plea and trial
Chad Brooker, 36, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 13 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea to three charges laid by the RCMP. He was scheduled to enter a plea on Sept. 22, but the matter was adjourned to give his lawyer more time to review disclosure.
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.
Trial postponed
Samuel Martin, 46, of Plaster Rock, appeared for trial in provincial court on Sept. 21 after pleading not guilty to an assault charge laid by RCMP. The trial was adjourned until Jan. 8, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Martin was charged with assault causing bodily harm to another man concerning an incident on March 30, 2025, in Plaster Rock.
Charged with breaking windows
Julie MacMillan, 43, of Benton, will appear for trial in provincial court on July 30, 2027, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to a mischief charge laid by the RCMP.
MacMillan was charged with committing mischief by breaking windows in connection with an incident on May 10 in Canterbury. Defence Counsel Peter Crocco entered a not-guilty plea on her behalf on Sept. 22.
Arrested and released
Kayla Dawn Tibbits, 33, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 22 after being arrested for failing to attend court that morning. She was released with conditions and returns to court on Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m. to answer charges.
Woodstock Police recently arrested Tibbits on three warrants for failing to appear in court. She was charged with failing to appear for her Aug. 14 trial and released.
Tibbits pleaded not guilty to breach of probation, theft, debit card fraud, and possession of stolen property in connection with three incidents in Woodstock between Nov. 20, 2024, and Dec. 6, 2024. Her new trial date was set for Feb. 19, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Charged with driving offences
Devon Melvin Grant, 26, of Temperance Vale, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea to four charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Grant was charged with impaired driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and flight from police concerning an incident on Feb. 22 in Woodstock. He was scheduled to enter a plea on Sept. 22 when the matter was adjourned to the new date. A warrant was held on file as Grant did not attend court with his lawyer.
Returning for plea
Samuel Lee, 30, of Summerfield, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 13 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge laid by the RCMP.
Lee was charged with assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a female victim in connection with an incident on June 27 in Summerfield. He was scheduled to enter a plea on Sept. 22, but the matter was adjourned to give him more time to secure legal counsel.
New trial date
Jesse Andree, 38, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 22 to set a new trial date after pleading not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was re-booked for Feb. 3, 2027, at 1:30 p.m.
Andree was charged with assault with a weapon, committing mischief, aggravated assault, assault causing bodily harm, dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident under the Motor Vehicle Act on Dec. 2, 2025, at East Brighton.
The Crown withdrew all but two charges, excluding the assault with a weapon and mischief charges. A pre-trial conference will be held on those two charges on Dec. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Green Road incident
Krystal Davenport, 31, of Green Road, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 29 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge laid by the RCMP.
Davenport was charged with assault with a weapon (a board) following an incident on April 11 on Green Road. She appeared in provincial court on Sept. 22 when the matter was adjourned. The court heard that a resolution may be sought with the Crown.
Sentencing for assault
Robert McCormick, 65, of Hartland, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Nov. 4 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading guilty to an assault charge. His sentencing was booked for Sept. 22 but was adjourned to allow his lawyer more time to review a victim impact statement and pre-sentence report.
RCMP charged McCormick in connection with an incident involving a female victim on Jan. 15 at Hartland.
