Charges transferred for Holmesville man
Joshua Raines, 49, of Holmesville, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on June 20 to request his charges be transferred to Fredericton.
RCMP charged Raines with dangerous driving, breach of a release order, driving while suspended, and careless driving following an incident on April 20 at Florenceville-Bristol. He waived his bail until later.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges at an earlier court appearance, and his trial was scheduled for Sept. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
On Friday, the court heard Raines intends to change his plea to guilty on three of the charges once they are transferred to Fredericton. He pleaded not guilty to driving while suspended and returns to court in Woodstock on Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date.
Raines appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on April 24 and spoke to the judge from his hospital bed. The court heard he was involved in a serious accident and had other charges pending in Fredericton.
Raines was released from custody in Fredericton in March on strict conditions. He faces a charge of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Lucas Richard Solomon Polchies in the early morning hours of March 12, 2023, in Lincoln near Fredericton.
Upper Woodstock man facing 11 charges in road rage incident
An Upper Woodstock man is facing 11 charges in relation to a road rage incident on May 27 at the intersection of Main Street and Deakin Drive in Woodstock.
Wyatt Mark Belyea, 28, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 19 to answer the charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until July 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Belyea was charged with uttering threats, pointing a firearm at another person, driving while prohibited, carelessly transporting a firearm, possession of a gun (an SKS semi-automatic rifle) without a licence, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun, possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, failing to surrender a firearm licence when required, assaulting a police officer with a weapon (a vehicle), flight from police, and refusing a breathalyzer demand.
Belyea appeared in court in custody via teleconference on May 28 and waived his bail until later. Following his arrest, a long-barreled rifle with an attached bayonet was located and seized from a pickup truck. He has a prior criminal record.
110 days in jail or time served
Kyrin Moulton, 19, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was sentenced to 110 days in jail or time served when he appeared in provincial court in custody on June 19. He was also placed on 12 months of probation and ordered to register with the federal DNA database before release.
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 pleaded guilty to the lesser included offence of assault causing bodily harm, and the crown withdrew the remaining two charges.
Moulton appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 22 after being arrested in Fredericton on a warrant for failing to attend court. He waived his bail and was remanded.
He appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing in Woodstock on April 1. He was released with conditions and ordered to enter a rehab facility in Sussex. On May 13, the court heard he had absconded from the facility. Moulton has a prior criminal record.
Arrested on a warrant
Caleb Crain, 40, of Piercemont, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on June 20 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on June 23 at 1:30 p.m.
Woodstock Police arrested Crain. He faces new charges of transporting a firearm carelessly, possession of a firearm without a licence (a semi-automatic rifle), and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun following an incident on June 19 in Woodstock.
The arrest warrant was issued when he failed to appear in provincial court on May 29 for a hearing about his request to withdraw his guilty plea on other matters.
Crain appeared for sentencing in provincial court on April 9 after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until after the hearing could be held.
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. The court heard the crown was seeking a three-month jail sentence for Crain.
Possession of child pornography
Corey Dean Bartlett, 56, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 19 for a bail hearing on a charge of possession of child pornography.
Bartlett waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for a plea on July 2 at 9:30 a.m. RCMP charged him in connection with the execution of a search warrant in Perth-Andover.
Released on undertaking
John Hogarth, 46, of Tobique Narrows, appeared in provincial court on June 17 to face an assault charge laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until July 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Hogarth was charged with assault involving a female victim in connection with an incident on April 5 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation). He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
Returning for plea
Jeffrey Baker Christensen, 57, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court on July 15 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge.
RCMP charged Christensen with assault involving a female victim stemming from an incident on March 23 at Perth-Andover. He made his first court appearance on June 17, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Facing threat charge
Christine Campbell, 32, of Florenceville-Bristol, will appear in provincial court on July 22 at 9:30 a.m. to answer a threat charge.
RCMP charged Campbell with uttering threats following an incident on Dec. 28, 2024, at Bath. She made her first court appearance on June 10, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Trial on multiple charges
Peter Cote, 59, of St. Thomas, will appear for trial in provincial court on June 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to five charges laid by RCMP.
Cote was charged with uttering threats and four counts of assault for incidents in July, October and November of 2024 at St. Thomas. His defence counsel entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf on June 10.
Released from custody after trial
Brandon Levesque, 26, of Wapske, appeared in provincial court in custody on June 20 for the conclusion of his trial after pleading not guilty to charges laid by RCMP. Judge Karen Lee reserved her decision on a verdict until July 14 at 1:30 p.m.
After spending months in remand, Levesque was released from custody until his next court date. He was charged with breaking into a dwelling house and mischief causing property damage to a door on July 30, 2024, in Plaster Rock and assault with a weapon (a rock) involving a female victim on July 28, 2024, in Plaster Rock.
He received a directed verdict of not guilty for the assault with the rock on June 11 because the crown called no evidence. The crown withdrew another breach charge for an incident on Nov. 7, 2024. His trial focused on the break-in and mischief charges related to an alleged home invasion in Plaster Rock last July.
RCMP also charged Levesque with breaching his release order (curfew), assault involving a female victim, assault by choking, and assaulting a police officer in connection with an incident on Oct. 11, 2024, in Gordonsville. He pleaded guilty to the curfew breach and assaulting police. His sentencing was adjourned until after the trial verdict is delivered on July 14.
Levesque appeared in court in custody on Nov. 12, 2024, for a bail hearing and waived his bail until later. He was arrested in October and released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, but was brought back into custody.
Sentencing set for impaired driving
Chatawna Nicholas, 49, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court on June 20 and changed her plea to guilty on an impaired driving charge. Her sentencing date was set for Aug. 13 at 1:30 p.m.
Nicholas was charged by the RCMP in connection with an incident on March 19, 2023, at Neqotkuk.
In custody awaiting plea
Vinal Todd Hatto, 40, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 19 to answer charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until July 3 at 9:30 a.m.
Hatto was denied bail on May 29. He was charged with flight from police, resisting arrest, driving while prohibited and possession of a stolen motorcycle in connection with an incident on May 28 in Lower Woodstock. He has a prior criminal record.
Trial continues on sex charge
Cole Tweedie, 30, of Greenfield, appeared for trial in provincial court on May 29-30 after pleading not guilty to a sex charge laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until June 24 at 1:30 p.m. for closing arguments from both the crown and defence counsel.
Tweedie was charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident on June 11, 2022, near Beechwood.
Arrested and released
James Earle Dow, 47, of Dow Settlement, appeared in provincial court on June 18 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court for sentencing. He was released from custody with conditions and returns to court for his new sentencing date on Aug. 26 at 1:30 p.m.
He pleaded guilty to driving while prohibited and refusing a breathalyzer demand concerning an incident on May 14, 2023, at Dow Settlement. RCMP laid the charges. On March 18, his sentencing was adjourned to allow Dow to attend a rehab program.
Released from custody
Larry Shane Kennedy, 50, of Kirkland, appeared in provincial court in custody on June 19 for plea on three charges laid by RCMP. He was released from custody with conditions (ankle bracelet), and his plea was adjourned until July 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Kennedy appeared in provincial court in custody on June 2 and was denied bail. The crown then consented to his release on Thursday.
He was charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, breaching a release order and unauthorized possession of ammunition in connection with a search warrant executed on May 29 at his residence in Kirkland. A female co-accused was also arrested at the scene.
Kennedy and Joshua Sterling Trail, 42, of Benton, will both stand trial in August after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by the RCMP. Their three-day trial was booked for Aug. 25 and Aug. 27-28 at 9:30 a.m.
They were each charged with possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine, both for the purpose of trafficking on Feb. 16 in Kirkland; 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 appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 22 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including a curfew and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He will be residing at a residence in Ashland. Judge Henrik Tonning ordered him to have no contact with Kennedy during his release.
On Feb. 18, Kennedy appeared in court in custody. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, but returned to custody.
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 rescheduled for March 11, 2026, 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 July 23-24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
A co-accused, Dynielle Demerchant, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on June 3 and pleaded not guilty to the same list of charges for the alleged break-in on Charlotte Street. Her trial date was also set for July 23-24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Demerchant also pleaded not guilty to possession of stolen property and breach of probation concerning a separate incident in Woodstock on Sept. 17, 2024. Her trial will be held on July 23-24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
In custody awaiting trial
Mitchell LaFrance, 26, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 19 for monitoring about his trial. He confirmed he has legal counsel to proceed to trial on Aug. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
LaFrance was taken into custody on a charge of breaching his release order for an incident on Jan. 24 in Edmundston. He pleaded not guilty to charges laid in Woodstock.
RCMP charged LaFrance in connection with an alleged breach of his house arrest on Dec. 7, 2024. He pleaded not guilty.
RCMP also charged him with breaching a no-contact order for an incident on Sept. 21, 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol. He also faces an additional charge of assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim stemming from an incident on July 19, 2024, at Carlingford. He pleaded not guilty.
LaFrance was sentenced to 99 days in jail when he appeared in provincial court on Feb. 13 after pleading guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP. He was also placed on 12 months of probation.
He pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking by failing to comply with a no-contact order at East Brighton on Oct. 2, 2023.
He also pleaded guilty to criminal harassment for incidents between Aug. 28 and Sept. 25, 2023, in Lower Brighton, involving the same female complainant. The court heard he tried to contact the same female victim hundreds of times by phone, text message and on Facebook. The crown withdrew a threat charge.
Sentencing adjourned
Amber Dawn Shaw, 35, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court for sentencing on July 17 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading guilty to three charges laid by RCMP.
Shaw was charged with obstructing police, fraudulent impersonation and breach of probation following an incident on June 22, 2024, in Upper Woodstock. Her sentencing was first set for June 18 but was adjourned to the new date at the request of her defence counsel.
Charge withdrawn
Tyler Vrieze, 29, of Debec, appeared for trial in provincial court on June 19 for his trial on a stolen property charge. The crown withdrew the charge, and the trial was cancelled.
Vrieze was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of stolen property (an ATV) on July 27, 2023, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty.
Released with ankle bracelet
Zachery Don Brooks, 21, of Lower Brighton, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on June 19 on 20 charges laid by RCMP. He was released from custody with conditions (ankle bracelet) and returns to court for plea on July 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Brooks was charged with five counts of assault involving a female victim, four counts of assault by choking, three counts 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 to commit an offence, mischief causing damage to a cell phone, and two counts of breaching a release order (no contact).
The charges were laid in connection with a series of incidents on Nov. 24, 2024, Feb. 12, Feb. 17, May 28, June 9, June 10 and June 11, in Lower Brighton; on June 3 and June 5 in Hartland, and on Feb. 19 in Woodstock. He was arrested and taken into custody on June 12.
Bail decision reserved
Takoda Louis Lee Christian, 19, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 19 for the continuation of his bail hearing. Judge Scott Brittain reserved his decision on bail until June 23 at 9:30 a.m.
Christian appeared in court in custody on May 29 after being arrested for breaching his release order. He was released with conditions on May 1 with an ankle bracelet but was taken back into custody.
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 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.
Remanded for mental health assessment
Timothy Canam, 45, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 19 for a bail hearing. He was remanded for a further 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital.
Canam returns to court in custody by video on July 21 at 9:30 a.m. for a fitness hearing. He appeared in court in custody on June 10 and was remanded for a five-day mental health assessment. He was found fit to stand trial at that time.
RCMP charged Canam with two counts of uttering threats on June 6 at Johnville, resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer and assault causing bodily harm to a police officer on June 9 in Johnville.
Beaconsfield man held on assault charges
Austin Powers, 26, of Beaconsfield, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 19 for plea on multiple charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until July 3 at 9:30 a.m.
Powers was denied bail on June 6. He was charged with two counts of breaching a recognizance on May 15 and May 20 at Plaster Rock, assault while threatening to use a weapon (a wooden mallet), assault involving a female victim, two counts of uttering threats, breaching an order not to have weapons in his possession on May 21 at Plaster Rock; and resisting arrest and uttering threats to police on May 23 at Plaster Rock. Powers has a prior criminal record.
Plea adjourned to July
Morgan Nicholas, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on June 20 to answer two charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until July 10 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Nicholas appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 16 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was arrested on June 3 and charged with theft and breaching his release order concerning an incident at Neqotkuk.
Nicholas and Brandon Michael Francis, 29, also of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on June 20 for plea on other charges related to an alleged break-in at a dwelling house. Francis appeared in custody via video. The matter was adjourned for plea until July 10 at 9:30 a.m. to allow both accused more time to consult legal counsel.
Francis and Nicholas were each charged with breaking into a dwelling house, mischief causing property damage to a door and window, and assaulting another man with a wooden two-by-four in connection with an incident on April 29 at Neqotkuk. Francis also faces additional charges of uttering threats, resisting arrest, and breach of probation concerning the same incident. Both men have prior criminal records.
Francis appeared in provincial court in custody by video again on May 29. He waived his bail until later. RCMP charged him with breaching his release order by violating electronic monitoring conditions and mischief causing damage to his ankle bracelet. He pleaded not guilty on June 20; a trial date will be set following his bail hearing on July 10.
