27 months in prison and risk of deportation
Mohammed Karam Abualhawa, 25, of Fredericton, could be facing a deportation order to return to the Middle East once he completes his jail sentence for drug trafficking.
On Oct. 24, Abualhawa was sentenced in Woodstock Provincial Court to 27 months in federal prison after being found guilty after trial. He was charged by the RCMP with possession of crack cocaine for the purpose of trafficking following an incident on Feb. 21, 2023, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation).
Judge Karen Lee also ordered the accused to register with the federal DNA database and imposed a firearms prohibition for 10 years. The judge said Abualhawa was engaged in drug trafficking “solely for profit,” while his crime had put the Woodstock area at risk of being further ravaged by the drug trade.
The trafficking charge was laid in connection with a search of a vehicle at Wotstak. Police seized a significant quantity of cocaine in nine bags, a debit card and $935 in cash. The money and his cell phone were forfeited to the Crown at sentencing.
The court heard Abualhawa was a university student involved in a “dial-a-dope” operation where he delivered drugs in response to calls. His cell phone contained data consistent with drug trafficking activity. At the time of his arrest, Abualhawa had over $5,000 worth of crack cocaine in his possession. He had a limited prior criminal record.
Defence Counsel Ron Morris told the court Abualhawa was facing deportation back to Jordan once his sentence is imposed because he was not a Canadian citizen and his return to the war-torn Middle East would interrupt his university education in Fredericton.
Drug trafficking through Canada Post
Anastasia Shtukin, 25, of Woodstock, returns to court in November for a decision on her sentence for drug trafficking through Canada Post.
Shtukin was found guilty after trial in August on two counts of possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking.
After hearing submissions from both the crown and defence counsel on Friday, Judge Lucie Mathurin reserved her decision on sentence until Nov. 21 at 12 p.m.
Crown Prosecutor Jillian Jordan recommended a two-year federal prison sentence for Shtukin, while Defence Counsel Emily Cochrane requested two years of house arrest. The accused had no prior criminal record and came to court with several letters of reference and a positive pre-sentence report.
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.
Evidence during the trial revealed 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.
During the sentencing hearing on Oct. 24, the defence argued Shtukin had fallen in with pro-criminal friends and became “willfully blind to what her friends were doing.” The accused has since severed those “negative” ties, the defence said, and continues to work full-time at a local trucking company where she is a valued employee.
90 days in jail for domestic assault
Christopher Hazen Hamilton, 50, of Woodstock, was sentenced to 90 days in jail, minus 24 days in remand, when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Oct. 22 on charges related to domestic violence.
Judge Sebastian Michaud also ordered him to register with the federal DNA database and placed him on 18 months of probation. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant and was prohibited from using firearms for 10 years.
Hamilton was found guilty after trial in July on one count of indictable assault on a female victim and mischief causing property damage. In total, he faced 12 charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was found not guilty after trial on seven charges, while three charges of uttering threats were dismissed with a directed verdict of not guilty due to a lack of evidence.
During the trial, a former girlfriend testified about an incident in May 2024 when Hamilton grabbed her by the hair, punched and head-butted her and then threw her on the floor and urinated on her. He was found guilty of assault for the attack. A series of photos were entered into evidence by the Crown.
“This particular incident of assault was certainly serious,” Judge Michaud said during the sentencing hearing. “The victim suffered both physical and emotional injuries. The abuse had a significant impact on her.”
Hamilton apologized to the court for his actions and described the circumstances as the “biggest embarrassment of my life.” He stressed he lost over a year of employment and suffered serious financial loss.
“I’ve learned my lesson 10 times over,” he told the judge. “But the biggest victim in all this is my wife.”
Hamilton was also found guilty on a mischief charge for burning two camp chairs in a campfire on the Simcox Road on May 25, 2024. He received 15 days in jail concurrent for that offence. He had no prior criminal record.
210 days or time served
Mitchell McKenzie, 39, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), was sentenced to 210 days in jail or time served when he appeared in provincial court in custody for sentencing on Oct. 23. He was also ordered to register with the federal DNA database. He was prohibited from using firearms for 10 years.
McKenzie was denied bail and remanded to jail on March 27. He was arrested and charged by the RCMP with breach of a release order (no alcohol or drugs) and committing mischief concerning an incident on March 21 at Wotstak. He pleaded guilty. He also pleaded guilty to assaulting another man with a weapon (a wooden pole) following an incident on July 24, 2024, at Wotstak.
30 days in jail and probation
Olivia Annette Young, 32, of Woodstock, was sentenced to 30 days in jail when she appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 23. She changed her plea to guilty on three charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Judge Henrik Tonning also placed her on probation for 12 months and ordered her to refrain from drugs and seek counselling as required.
Young pleaded guilty to flight from police and dangerous driving on Sept. 13, 2024, in Woodstock. She also pleaded guilty to breach of a release order (house arrest) on April 24, 2024, in Woodstock.
Young is currently serving a 90-day sentence on other charges in Fredericton. She appeared in court in custody via teleconference from Oromocto on Sept. 25 after being arrested on a warrant. She had a lengthy prior criminal record.
$800 fine and peace bond
Michael Evan Shellard, 33, of Summerfield, appeared for trial in provincial court on Oct. 23 and changed his plea to guilty on two of seven charges laid by the RCMP. He was fined $800 and agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond.
He was charged with discharging a firearm with intent, careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, unauthorized possession of a gun, and uttering threats in connection with an incident on Nov. 5, 2024, at Summerfield. He was also charged with assault and assault by choking involving a female victim for another incident on Nov. 3, 2024, at Summerfield.
Shellard appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Nov. 7, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released on conditions. The Crown withdrew four of the charges when he returned for trial. The peace bond will result in the withdrawal of the assault charge.
Sentencing on three charges
Quinten Bikaunieks, 30, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court for sentencing on Jan. 27, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading guilty to three charges laid by the RCMP.
Bikaunieks entered his guilty pleas during a court appearance on Oct. 22. He pleaded guilty to assaulting another man, breach of probation, and resisting arrest for an incident on Oct. 10, 2024, in Centreville. The Crown withdrew one other charge.
In custody awaiting plea
James Morgan DeMerchant, 25, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Oct. 23 after being arrested on nine charges laid by Woodstock Police. He waived his bail until later and will return to court in custody for plea on Nov. 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Demerchant was charged with possession of a prohibited firearm (a sawed-off shotgun) while prohibited from having it, possession of a prohibited firearm without a licence, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of two stolen passports, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, carrying a prohibited firearm, possession of a loaded prohibited firearm without a licence, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and carrying a concealed weapon following an incident on Oct. 12 in Woodstock.
Bail hearing rescheduled
Brodey O’Donnell, 22, of Campbell Settlement, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct.23 for a bail hearing. The hearing was adjourned until Oct. 30 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
O’Donnell was charged by the RCMP with assaulting police, uttering threats, and resisting arrest for an incident on July 17 at Campbell Settlement.
He appeared in provincial court in custody in Woodstock on Aug. 19 after being arrested on a warrant on charges in Edmundston. He was later released with conditions.
O’Donnell also appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing in Woodstock on July 28 and was released. He was recently taken back into custody and charged with failing to attend court in Woodstock.
Robbery with violence
Stephen Mohan, 44, of St. Stephen, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 23 for a bail hearing on four charges laid by the RCMP. His bail hearing was adjourned until Oct. 30 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Mohan was charged with possession of a weapon (a knife), dangerous to the public peace, uttering threats, and robbery of a motor vehicle using violence, concerning an incident on Oct. 17 at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). He was also charged with resisting arrest on Oct. 17 at Canterbury.
Warrant on file
Nathan Harper, 19, of Fredericton, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Oct. 23 to enter a plea on a theft charge. He did not attend, and a warrant was held on file. A new plea date was set for Oct. 30 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Harper appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 25, after being arrested on a warrant for failing to attend court. He was released on conditions, including the requirement to wear an ankle electronic monitoring device.
Harper was charged with theft from the Canadian Tire Store and breach of an undertaking in connection with an incident on Aug. 20, 2024, in Woodstock. The court heard he also has charges in Fredericton.
Bail hearing and trial date
Ronald Dwayne Scott, 30, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 23 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police. He then requested a bail hearing, which was scheduled for Nov. 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Scott was charged by Woodstock Police with assault, committing mischief, and three counts of uttering threats following an alleged altercation on Aug. 8. His trial date will be set when he returns to court in custody on Nov. 14.
Woodstock woman to enter plea
Georgia Wilson, 20, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 25 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by the RCMP.
Wilson was charged with resisting arrest on July 22 at Wilmot, breaching an undertaking (no contact), and resisting arrest on July 26 at Summerfield. She made her first appearance on Oct. 21 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Charge withdrawn
Brett Roger Chase, 26, of Central Waterville, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 22 to set a trial date after pleading not guilty to breaching his release order in August. The Crown withdrew the charge, and the matter did not proceed.
Chase also appeared in provincial court on Aug. 5 on another charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Nov. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Chase was charged with fleeing police following an incident in Woodstock. The court heard the charge was being transferred to Fredericton, where he had other charges. The transfer will be confirmed on Nov. 4.
Sentencing set on one charge
Dana Newell, 38, of Perth-Andover, appeared for trial in provincial court on Oct. 22 and changed his plea to guilty on one firearm charge laid by the RCMP. His sentencing date was set for Feb. 3, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Newell was charged with possession of a prohibited firearm (a sawed-off shotgun), careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a stolen ATV, and possession of a stolen BB gun, concerning an incident on May 27 in Perth-Andover. He pleaded guilty to careless use of a firearm, and the remaining charges were withdrawn.
Sentencing postponed to December
Braeden Paul Thornton, 28, of Lakeville, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Oct. 22 after changing his plea to guilty on several charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until Dec. 10 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the submission of a victim impact statement.
Thornton was released from custody on July 2o, awaiting sentencing. He pleaded guilty to breaching his release order (no-contact) on March 15 in Woodstock; guilty to assaulting a female victim, uttering threats, theft of a cell phone, and breaching a peace bond on July 14, 2024, in Woodstock; and guilty to breaching his release order (ankle bracelet) on Dec. 1, 2024, in Wilmot. He has a prior criminal record.
14 days for breaching house arrest
David Sisson, 42, of Rosedale, appeared in provincial court by video from custody on Oct. 23 and was sentenced to 14 days in jail for breaching his house arrest. He returns to court on Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Sisson was charged with refusing a breathalyzer, resisting arrest, and breach of a release order in connection with an incident on Oct. 18 in Woodstock. He was also charged by the RCMP with breaching a release order (no-contact) in connection with an incident on June 7 at Florenceville-Bristol. Sisson has a prior criminal record.
Ankle bracelet violation
Cameron James Clark, 25, of Mapledale, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 23 for a bail hearing after being arrested for breaching his release order (ankle bracelet). He waived his bail until later and will return to court in custody for plea on Nov. 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Earlier plea dates were booked for Oct. 28 and Nov. 18 in relation to other charges laid by the RCMP. Clark was charged with breach of probation, resisting arrest, uttering threats, break and enter, assault causing bodily harm, mischief causing property damage, and dangerous driving concerning an incident on Sept. 17 in Mapledale. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants.
Trial dates for Johnville man
Cole Paul Smith, 30, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court by video in custody on Oct. 24 and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges laid by the RCMP.
Trial dates were set for March 16, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.; March 23 and March 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.; March 26, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.; and April 9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
A pre-trial conference was also booked for Nov. 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Smith was arrested on a warrant on June 30. The RCMP charged him with breaching a release order by violating electronic monitoring and mischief, causing damage to his ankle bracelet, following an incident on June 24 at Mapledale.
He was also charged with flight from police, breaching his house arrest and dangerous driving for an incident on June 29 at East Brighton.
Smith appeared in provincial court by video from custody for a bail hearing on May 1 and was released on conditions, but later returned to custody. He faces an additional charge of breaching a no-contact order on May 29.
Woodstock Police also charged him with assault with a weapon (a metal stool) and two counts of uttering threats on April 10-11 in Woodstock.
RCMP charged him with assault involving a female victim, unlawful confinement, and two counts of uttering threats concerning another incident between Nov. 15 and Nov. 30, 2024, in Johnville. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants.
Smith was also charged with uttering threats, assault by choking and unlawful entry at a dwelling house on Oct. 22, 2024, at Johnville.
In custody awaiting trial
Kyrin Moulton, 20, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 23 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was set for Feb. 11, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Moulton was charged with breach of probation and possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles) on Sept. 17 at Perth-Andover; uttering threats against another man and breach of probation on Sept. 8 in Perth-Andover; and unlawful entry at a dwelling house on Sept. 25 in Perth-Andover. A monitoring date for his trial was scheduled for Nov. 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Trial adjourned
Austin Tylor Saulis, 29, of Saint John, appeared for trial in provincial court on Oct. 24 after pleading not guilty to four charges laid by Woodstock Police. The trial was adjourned until Nov. 21 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of the Crown.
Saulis was charged with two counts of uttering threats and two counts of assault involving a female victim, following incidents between April 1, 2023 and Sept. 4, 2024, in Woodstock. He was released on an undertaking until his trial.
Fraud and forgery charges
Ethan Shaw, 33, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m. for a plea on fraud and forgery charges laid by the RCMP.
Shaw was charged in connection with incidents that occurred between Jan. 1, 2022, and Jan. 19, 2024, in Perth-Andover. He made his first court appearance on Oct. 21 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Impaired driving by drugs
Sherry Murphy, 59, of Plaster Rock, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 25 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an impaired driving charge.
RCMP charged Murphy with impaired driving by drugs stemming from an incident on Nov. 18, 2024, in Perth-Andover. She made her first court appearance on Oct. 21 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Released on undertaking
Muhammed Iqbal, 42, of Somerville, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 25 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on five charges laid by the RCMP.
Iqbal was charged with uttering threats on May 10 in Somerville; three counts of assault and assault by choking between July 1 and July 31 in Somerville. He made his first court appearance on Oct. 21 when the matter was adjourned to the new date. He was released on an undertaking until his next appearance.
Returning for plea
Jarrett Waugh, 32, of Beardsley Road, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m. for a plea on one charge laid by the RCMP.
Waugh was charged with criminal harassment through repeated electronic messages between May 17 and July 16 at McKenna. He made his first court appearance on Oct. 21 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Greenfield man charged
William Miller, 54, of Greenfield, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 16 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by the RCMP.
Miller was charged with impaired driving and driving while prohibited concerning an incident on May 6 in Bairdsville. He made his first court appearance on Oct. 21 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
