Woodstock man awaiting sentence
Justin Ryan Shea, 36, of Woodstock, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Aug. 21 at 1:30 p.m. after being found guilty after trial on two drug trafficking charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Shea pleaded not guilty to trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking in connection with incidents in Woodstock on June 3, 2024, and May 2, 2024.
Judge Rose Campbell handed down her verdict on July 2. The court heard details of a police operation at a residence on St. Gertrude Street in Woodstock when Shea sold an undercover officer two baggies of crystal meth valued at $40.
About a month later, police executed a search warrant at the same residence and seized a quantity of methamphetamine, scales, and drug paraphernalia as well as Shea’s cell phone, which contained evidence about drug transactions.
He was also charged with break, enter and theft at a dwelling house on Creighton Street on Sept. 26, 2024, and breaching an undertaking (curfew) on Aug. 14, 2025.
Shea pleaded guilty to the lesser-included offence of possession of stolen property and to the curfew breach. His sentencing on these two charges was also set for Aug. 21.
Conditional sentence order and probation
Kathleen Paul, 35, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), received a 12-month conditional sentence order and 12 months of probation when she appeared in provincial court for sentencing on June 30. She pleaded guilty to one firearm charge laid by the RCMP.
Paul was charged by the 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 She pleaded guilty to the second charge, and the possession charge was withdrawn by the Crown.
As part of her sentence, Paul was ordered to register with the federal DNA database, and she was prohibited from the use of firearms. The weapon involved in the crime was forfeited to the Crown.
Facing sex charges
Dustin Coté, 22, of Richibucto Road, will appear in provincial court on July 28 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on 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 on June 30 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Plea on firearm charges
Shawn Johnston, 47, of Mainstream, will appear in provincial court on July 21 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 June 30 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Not guilty after trial
Curtis Brent Hatheway, 46, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on July 2 and was found not guilty on a stolen property charge.
Woodstock Police charged him with possession of a stolen bicycle on Oct. 3, 2025.
Hatheway also appeared in provincial court via video, in custody, on May 26, and pleaded not guilty to other charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial was set for Sept. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Hatheway was denied bail on April 17. He was charged with breaching a no-contact order involving a female victim and breach of probation on April 15 in Woodstock; breaching a release order (no contact) involving a female victim for an incident on April 1 in Woodstock; and breaching a court order, assault, and uttering threats on March 17.
In custody awaiting trial
Gunner Gray, 24, of Upper Kintore, appeared in court via video in custody on July 2 for a pre-trial conference regarding his trial in August. The court heard he has counsel to proceed to trial, but a possible resolution may also be sought with the Crown.
Gray pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges laid by the RCMP. His trial dates were set for Aug. 7 at 9:30 a.m. and Aug. 11 at 1:30 p.m.
Gray was denied bail on April 16. He pleaded not guilty to breaching his release order, mischief involving damage to an ankle bracelet, and resisting arrest, in connection with incidents on April 13 at Richmond Settlement and Bath.
He also pleaded not guilty to two other counts of breaching his release order (no driving), flight from police, dangerous driving and impaired driving in connection with an incident on March 17 in Glassville.
He also pleaded not guilty to breaching a no-contact order between Feb. 11 and Feb. 27 in Jacksonville and Bath, and flight from police, and driving while suspended on Feb. 11 in Jacksonville.
Gray also pleaded not guilty to uttering threats, resisting arrest, fleeing police and four violations of the Motor Vehicle Act for incidents on Feb. 25, April 8 and July 22, 2025. His trial was booked for Jan. 18, 2027, on those charges.
Preliminary hearing in September
Jessie Ginson, 36, of Bull Lake, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 4 at 1:30 p.m. for a preliminary hearing after electing trial by judge and jury at the Court of King’s Bench on two indictable charges laid by the RCMP.
Ginson appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 6 on charges of breaking into a dwelling house and committing robbery in connection with an incident on Jan. 3 in Windsor. He pleaded not guilty and was released with conditions.
He was in court for a pre-trial conference on July 2 when the date for his preliminary hearing was rebooked for Sept. 4.
Trial pending
Craig Laskey, 36, of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court on July 2 for a hearing about his trial on three charges laid by the RCMP. Another monitoring hearing was scheduled for July 9 at 1:30 p.m.
Laskey pleaded not guilty to sexual assault for an incident on Aug. 14, 2024, at Jacksonville, and assault by choking and mischief on Aug. 21, 2024, at Bedell. His trial date was set for Sept. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Verdict pending
Mitchell Hillman, 36, of Wilmot, appeared in provincial court for the continuation of his trial on June 29 on an assault charge laid by Woodstock Police. The trial concluded, and the verdict was adjourned until July 17 at 9 a.m.
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 alleged assault.
Hillman pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, flight from police, and obstruction in connection with an incident on March 13, 2025, in Woodstock. His trial date was set for July 2 at 9:30 a.m., but he failed to appear, and the court issued an arrest warrant.
