Neqotkuk man found guilty on gun charges, awaits sentencing
Stephen Perley, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was found guilty on multiple gun charges when he appeared in provincial court in custody on May 12 for a verdict following his trial. Judge Henrik Tonning set his sentencing date for May 28 at 1 p.m. A federal prison sentence is expected for the accused.
RCMP charged Perley with unlawful transport of firearms (several rifles, a sawed-off, pump action shotgun, a survival gun, air pistols, a nine-millimetre carbine, magazines and ammunition), possession of prohibited firearms, two counts of transporting firearms carelessly, two counts of possessing firearms without a licence, and possession of a gun with the serial number altered in connection with an incident on Sept. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk. Perley appeared in court in custody on Nov. 4, 2024, and was denied bail.
On April 10, the court heard testimony from a neighbour who said Perley came to a back window of his home at night and dropped off a duffle bag and gun casing to hide in the bedroom closet. He was supposed to pay the neighbour to store it.
Perley told his neighbour that an undercover police officer was at Neqotkuk and that he would be back soon for his gear. A search warrant was executed at Perley’s camper nearby about a week later. The neighbour said Perley didn’t return to his home. Three weeks later, he looked in his closet and opened the duffle bag. He got scared and went to the police to report the guns.
Perley testified at the trial and denied the allegations. He said his neighbour had a personal grievance against him, and he did not own the guns. His partner, Kathy Muller, testified she had never seen the firearms before, and they were never at her home in Perth-Andover.
Perley also appeared in provincial court in custody on March 28 and pleaded guilty to three other charges laid by the RCMP.
Perley pleaded guilty to resisting arrest on Sept. 10, 2024, at Neqotkuk; flight from police on Sept. 14, 2024, at Neqotkuk; and breach of probation by failing to report from Oct. 25, 2022, to Jan. 27, 2023. He has a prior criminal record.
Lansdowne man sentenced
Jonathan Johnston, 48, of Lansdowne, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on May 13 after changing his plea to guilty on an impaired driving charge laid by RCMP.
Judge Karen Lee handed him 90 days of house arrest and 12 months of probation. Johnston was ordered to seek counselling and treatment for alcohol addiction. He was also prohibited from driving for one year.
Johnston was charged with impaired driving, dangerous driving and flight from police concerning an incident on Dec. 10, 2023, at Florenceville-Bristol. The crown withdrew the two remaining charges.
The charges were laid after police received a report of a drunk driver leaving a grocery store in Hartland around 9 a.m. and heading up the highway toward Florenceville-Bristol. Johnston’s blood alcohol reading was over three times the legal limit. He had a dated prior criminal record.
Conditional discharge
Jerrica Bear, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), received a conditional discharge when she appeared for sentencing in provincial court on May 13.
Bear pleaded guilty to uttering a forged document (three cheques valued at $1,116) between June 23 and July 2, 2022, at Neqotkuk. The crown withdrew a second charge of fraud.
The court heard the charge related to a fraud scheme operating in the community. A social services cheque was stolen from the band office and digitally copied multiple times by numerous individuals at the First Nation. The band office was defrauded of $67,000 but was reimbursed by the bank. Bear was one of several people involved in the fraud. She had a prior criminal record.
Remanded for plea
Jason Norman Dumont, 40, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on May 12. He was remanded to jail on four charges and returns to court in custody for plea on May 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Dumont was charged with three counts of uttering threats, assault causing bodily harm, assault by choking, and breach of a peace bond. He was arrested on the weekend and held in custody.
Limestone man awaits sentencing
Riley Cowper, 20, of Limestone, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on May 14 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on two charges related to a violent attack on another local man.
RCMP charged Cowper with attempted murder by using a hammer and a wrench to assault Rodney Butler, mischief causing property damage to a car window, uttering threats, and robbery of a vehicle in connection with an incident on Aug. 10, 2024, at Jackson Falls.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser included offences of indictable assault with a weapon and indictable theft of a motor vehicle. The crown withdrew the remaining two charges. A federal prison sentence is expected for the accused.
Cowper was arrested on Aug. 13, 2024, and ordered to have no contact with Butler, who was treated at a hospital for injuries and later released. Cowper waived his bail and has been in custody since his arrest.
On trial on sex charges
Johnny Lee Bloodsworth, 39, of Arthurette, appeared for trial in provincial court on May 12 after pleading not guilty to multiple sex charges laid by the RCMP. After one day of testimony, the trial was adjourned for continuation on May 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Bloodsworth was charged 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, at Arthurette.
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, at Arthurette.
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 in Grand Falls.
Two more trial dates were scheduled for Aug. 14-15 for further testimony related to the sex charges. The alleged offences involve two complainants.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Kyrin Moulton, 19, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), after he failed to appear in provincial court for plea on May 13.
Moulton appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing on April 1, was released with conditions, and was ordered to enter a rehab facility in Sussex. On May 13, the court heard he had absconded from the facility.
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 a prior criminal record.
Wotstak man awaiting plea
Takoda Louis Lee Christian, 19, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on May 13 for plea on multiple charges. The matter was adjourned until May 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Christian appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 1 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
He was charged by Woodstock Police with breach of a release order (house arrest) on April 16 at Wotstak and breach of a no-contact order on April 14 in Woodstock.
He was also charged with assault and unlawful confinement between June 29, 2024, and July 4, 2024, at Wotstak; assault and two counts of assault by choking in Fredericton between Feb. 10 and Feb. 19; and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone between Feb. 10 and Feb. 19 at Wotstak.
He was also charged with assaulting another man with a weapon (a knife), uttering threats and mischief causing property damage to a window in connection with an incident on April 8 in Lansdowne.
Christian also faces charges laid by Woodstock Police following an assault outside the Royal Canadian Legion on Nov. 14, 2024. Police were called to the scene, and a man was transported to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Christian was charged with indictable aggravated assault, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
He also appeared in provincial court on April 15 and pleaded not guilty to another indictable assault charge laid by Woodstock Police. His trial was set for April 29, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Christian pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault concerning an incident on March 25 at the Ayr Motor Centre. Woodstock. Police said a 16-year-old victim suffered significant injuries in the incident and was transported to the Upper River Valley Hospital for treatment.
Newburg man to stand trial
Jeffrey Richard Bull, 45, of Newburg, appeared in provincial court on May 13 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was scheduled for April 17, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. and June 1, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Bull appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on April 4 after being arrested for breaching his release order. He was released with conditions, including full house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
RCMP charged Bull with breaking into a dwelling house and breach of probation stemming from an incident on March 16 at Bulls Creek. The court heard that another charge is pending for possession of stolen property.
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. A pre-trial conference was also set for June 27 at 1:30 p.m.
Bull 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.
Charged with drug trafficking
Larry Shane Kennedy, 50, of Kirkland, and Joshua Sterling Trail, 41, of Benton, appeared in provincial court on May 13 to answer drug trafficking charges related to a police bust in Kirkland on Feb. 16.
Kennedy and Trail were each charged with possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine, both for the purpose of trafficking.
Trail appeared in court in custody by video and pleaded not guilty. Kennedy adjourned his plea until May 27 at 9:30 a.m., when a trial date will be set. The court heard Kennedy had not yet heard from his lawyer.
On Feb. 18, Kennedy and Trail appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on indictable robbery charges laid by the RCMP. Kennedy was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. Trail waived his bail until later and was remanded to jail. His bail hearing was later set for May 15 at 1:30 p.m.
On May 13, Trail pleaded not guilty to the charges, while Kennedy adjourned his plea until May 27 at 9:30 a.m. Trail will get a trial date at that time.
They were each charged with indictable robbery of a motor vehicle on Feb. 5 at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), illegal possession of a firearm (a Russian SKS semi-automatic rifle), and improper storage of a gun on Feb. 16 at Kirkland.
Trail was also charged with fraudulent impersonation for a separate incident on Dec. 9, 2024, at Richmond Corner. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Trail was also charged with breaking into a dwelling house on Charlotte Street to commit mischief, unlawful entry for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of break-in tools, possession of a stolen Blue Cross card, mischief causing property damage to a door, interfering with the lawful use of property, and illegal possession of methamphetamine for an incident between Sept. 6-7, 2024, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
A co-accused, Dynielle Demerchant, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on May 13 to answer the same list of charges for the alleged break-in on Charlotte Street. Her plea was adjourned to June 3 at 1:30 p.m.
Demerchant is also awaiting a new trial date on other separate charges of possession of stolen property and breach of probation concerning an incident on Sept. 17, 2024, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty.
Released with conditions
William (Billy) Harding, 35, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on May 13 to face two new charges laid by RCMP. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on June 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Harding was charged with assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a male victim and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace following an incident on May 11 at Perth Andover. The court heard he also had charges in Edmundston.
Harding appeared in provincial court on April 22 to answer theft charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. Those matters were adjourned for plea until June 10 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Harding appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on March 13 and was released with conditions. He was charged by Woodstock Police with theft from the Superstore and breach of probation following an incident on Sept. 10, 2024, in Woodstock. A warrant was issued for a co-accused, Tammy Schloemer, 60, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), in relation to the same incident.
Harding was also charged with theft of a laptop in Perth-Andover on March 12, 2024; breach of probation on March 20, 2024; and breach of probation by failing to report between Dec. 12, 2023, and Sept. 3, 2024. He has a prior criminal record.
In custody awaiting trial
Gary Frederick Kilcollins, 48, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court in custody on May 14 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to breaching his release order.
Kilcollins appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on April 24 and waived his bail until later. Woodstock Police charged him with breaching his release order in connection with an incident on March 13 in Woodstock.
He also pleaded not guilty to several other charges laid by Woodstock Police, and his trial on those matters was moved up to May 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged Kilcollins with breaking and entering a dwelling house, theft of a TV, and breach of probation for an incident between April 8 and April 16, 2024, in Woodstock, and driving while suspended on Dec. 7, 2023.
He was also charged with theft from the Woodstock Superstore on March 24, 2024, and theft from the Vie Thrift Boutique on April 13, 2024. A mischief charge was also laid for an incident on Jan.2, 2024, when a window was broken at another property in town. He was also charged with breach of probation and theft from Home Hardware in Woodstock on Jan. 15, 2024.
Facing two flight charges
David Fleming, 19, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on May 13 to answer two flight charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until June 3 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Fleming was charged with two counts of fleeing police on Feb. 15 in Beaconsfield and Aroostook.
Trial scheduled on five charges
Erin Rosalie Gauvin, 41, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on May 13 and pleaded not guilty to five charges laid by Woodstock Police. Her trial dates were set for Dec. 22 at 1:30 p.m. and Jan. 26, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Gauvin was charged with refusing a breathalyzer demand, resisting arrest, obstructing police by fleeing, and two counts of driving while suspended for incidents on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, 2024, in Woodstock.
Returning for trial
Gabriel Blake VanHorne, 24, of Hartley Settlement, appeared in provincial court on May 13 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by RCMP. His trial was set for May 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
VanHorne appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on April 24. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He also posted a $1,000 bail bond.
VanHorne was charged by RCMP with assault involving a female victim, committing mischief and breach of an undertaking for an incident on April 19 at Hartley Settlement.
He also appeared in provincial court on March 25 and pleaded not guilty to a separate assault charge. His trial was scheduled for April 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged him with assaulting a female victim stemming from an incident on Jan. 29 at Hartley Settlement. He was released on an undertaking until his trial and ordered to have no contact with the complainant. VanHorne has a dated prior criminal record.
Sentencing reset on four charges
Ronald Dwayne Scott, 30, of Woodstock, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on May 13 after changing his plea to guilty on four charges laid by Woodstock Police. His sentencing date was rescheduled for May 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Scott was charged with 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 and released from custody on a release order.
Charged with identity theft
Christopher Isaiah Eatmon, 30, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on June 3 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on four charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was scheduled to enter a plea on May 13 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Eatmon was charged with two counts of forgery related to a First Nations status card, identity theft, and fraudulent impersonation for an incident on Oct. 7, 2024, in Woodstock.
Awaiting trial date
Lisa Marie Barrett, 49, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on May 13 and pleaded not guilty to an assault charge laid by Woodstock Police. Her trial date will be June 3 at 9:30 a.m. to allow her time to consult legal counsel.
Barrett was charged with assault involving a male victim in connection with an incident on Aug. 4, 2024, at Woodstock.
She also appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP. Her trial date was set for Dec. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Barrett was charged with uttering threats and obstructing the course of justice for an incident on Aug. 24, 2024, at Wicklow. She was released on an undertaking until her next court appearance.
Plea adjourned to new date
Zachery Don Brooks, 21, of Peel, will appear in provincial court for plea on May 20 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. He was scheduled to enter his plea on May 13 when the matter was adjourned at the request of his defence 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.
Alternative measures completed
Joshua Desroches, 20, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on May 13 to confirm he had completed the requirements of the alternative measures program. As a result, the crown withdrew the charges against him.
Woodstock Police charged Desroches with assault and two breach charges in connection with an incident on July 10, 2024, in Woodstock.
The court heard Desroches was wanted on a warrant in Oromocto, and he was taken into custody by sheriffs on those matters before he left court.
Charged with breaching house arrest
Gavin Schloemer, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on May 12 for a hearing about an alleged breach of his house arrest. The hearing was adjourned until June 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Schloemer appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing on April 3. He was released with conditions to await the hearing about an alleged breach of his house arrest on April 1. He denied the allegation. The court heard if he is found guilty, he will have to finish his sentence behind bars.
On Feb. 4, he was handed 12 months of house arrest when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing. He was ordered to follow a curfew for the first six months and complete 50 hours of community service work. He was also ordered to seek counselling and treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and anger management.
Schloemer appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Sept. 27, 2024, and was released with conditions. He pleaded guilty to breaching a release order (house arrest) concerning an incident on Sept. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
Schloemer also pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and assaulting police on June 21, 2024, at Neqotkuk and assaulting police on June 21, 2024, at Williamstown. The crown withdrew another charge of failing to appear in court.
Awaiting trial and sentencing
Brittany Priscilla King, 27, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on May 13 to set a new date for her trial after pleading not guilty to several charges laid by Woodstock Police. Her trial was rescheduled for June 6 at 9:30 a.m.
King was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, dangerous driving, committing mischief causing property damage and assault using a vehicle following an incident on Sept. 17, 2023, in Woodstock.
She also appeared for trial in provincial court on a separate matter on April 24 and was found guilty of one count of theft. Her sentencing was also rescheduled for June 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged King with assault with a weapon (a knife) and assault causing bodily harm to a male victim, theft, and unlawful entry at a dwelling house concerning an incident on Nov. 5, 2023, in Woodstock. She was found not guilty of the assault charges and the unlawful entry.
King appeared in provincial court on Feb. 4 and pleaded not guilty to one other charge laid by Woodstock Police. Her trial dates were scheduled for Feb. 9 and Feb. 11, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A pre-trial conference will also be held on Oct. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Woodstock Police charged King with breach of a release order by violating electronic monitoring in Woodstock between Dec. 7 and Dec. 9, 2024. She appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 10, 2024. She was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing and was released with conditions on Dec. 20, 2024.
King was also charged with possessing a stolen vehicle on Nov. 22, 2022, and failing to attend court on Feb. 21, 2023. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was adjourned to Jan. 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
