Accused makes court appearance from hospital bed
Joshua Raines, 49, of Holmesville, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on April 24 and spoke to the judge from his hospital bed.
RCMP charged Raines with dangerous driving, breach of a release order and driving while suspended following an incident on April 20 at Florenceville-Bristol. He waived his bail until later and was remanded to await a revocation hearing at the Court of King’s Bench.
Defence Counsel Adrian Forsythe told the court Raines would be in hospital for some time due to his medical condition and that correction officers would be posted outside his hospital room. Raines is scheduled to enter a plea to the charges on May 22 at 9:30 a.m.
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.
Tilley man awaits decision after trial for assault
Troy Pelkey, 56, of Tilley, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 24 for closing arguments following his trial on assault charges. Judge Karen Lee reserved her decision on a verdict until May 30 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Pelkey with assault by choking, assault causing bodily harm to a female victim, and uttering threats for incidents between April 1, 2023, and Nov. 1, 2023, at Tilley. Five witnesses, including the victim, were called to testify during the trial. Pelkey testified in his own defence.
Pelkey is also in jail awaiting the continuation of his trial on other unrelated charges laid by RCMP in connection with an alleged kidnapping at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) last April.
He pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, uttering threats, forcible confinement, extortion with violence to obtain $10,000, pointing a firearm at a female victim, and unauthorized possession of a gun between April 27 and April 29, 2024, at Neqotkuk. The trial is scheduled to continue on May 8 and June 2. Seven individuals have been charged in the incident.
Trial adjourned to July
Joseph Martin, 38, of Perth-Andover, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on April 25 after pleading not guilty to multiple charges laid by the RCMP. His two-day trial was adjourned to July 31 and Aug. 1 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Martin has been in custody since July 2024. He was charged by RCMP with indictable assault, reckless discharge of a firearm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm without a licence, stemming from an incident on July 4, 2024, at Perth-Andover.
RCMP also charged Martin with possessing a stolen ATV and breach of probation. He failed to appear in court on June 4, 2024, to answer the charges, and a warrant was subsequently issued.
Greenfield man awaits sentencing
Jorge Heinz Fenske, 56, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on April 24 after changing his plea to guilty on two firearm charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until May 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Fenske was charged with possession of a firearm without a licence (a rifle) and improper storage of a firearm, stemming from an incident on Dec. 14, 2023, in Greenfield.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 18 and pleaded not guilty to several other charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was set for May 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Fenske was denied bail and remanded to jail on Feb. 27. He was charged with breaching an undertaking (no-contact order) in connection with an incident on Feb. 1 at Greenfield and breach of an undertaking (no contact), assault with a weapon and uttering threats between Feb. 14-15 at Greenfield.
Fenske was also charged with assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim, assault with a weapon (a broom), and unlawful confinement for an incident on Nov. 16, 2024, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). He was also charged with assault causing bodily harm, uttering threats and taking a vehicle without consent following an incident on Dec. 10, 2024, at Wotstak.
Released with conditions
Anthony Veysey, 51, of Pembroke, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 24 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
RCMP charged Veysey with unauthorized possession of a loaded firearm concerning an incident in Pembroke on the Easter weekend. He returns to court for plea on May 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Released on $1,000 bond
Gabriel Blake VanHorne, 24, of Hartley Settlement, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on April 24. He was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He also posted a $1,000 bail bond.
VanHorne will return to court for plea on May 13 at 9:30 a.m. He was charged by the RCMP with assault involving a female victim, committing mischief and breach of an undertaking for an incident on April 19 at Hartley Settlement.
VanHorne 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.
Sentenced to time served, probation
Brandon Michael Francis, 29, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on April 24 and changed his plea to guilty on a breach charge laid by RCMP. He was sentenced to time served and 12 months of probation.
RCMP charged Francis with breach of a release order by violating electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet) concerning an incident on Jan. 10 at Neqotkuk. He had been in custody since his arrest in January after waiving bail.
He was also charged with breach of probation, breach of a no-contact order, and resisting arrest following another incident on Jan. 1-2 at Neqotkuk. Those charges were withdrawn by the crown at sentencing.
Trial adjourned
Cindy Darlene Nicholson, 51, of Centreville, appeared for trial in provincial court on April 25 after pleading not guilty to impaired driving. She did not have a lawyer to represent her at trial, and the matter was adjourned for monitoring until June 11 at 1:30 p.m.
Woodstock Police charged Nicholson in connection with an incident on Oct. 16, 2023, in Woodstock. If convicted, the court heard the crown would be seeking a custodial sentence of 120 days based on her record of prior convictions for impaired driving.
In custody awaiting plea
Mitchell McKenzie, 39, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 24 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until May 8 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
McKenzie was denied bail and remanded to jail on March 27. RCMP arrested and charged him with breaching a release order (no alcohol or drugs) and committing mischief concerning an incident on March 21 at Wotstak.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody on March 17 following a five-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche Hospital. Judge Karen Lee found McKenzie fit to stand trial and released him with conditions, but he returned to custody. His medical report indicated he struggles with alcohol and heavy drug use.
McKenzie appeared in court in custody on March 10 after being arrested on a warrant. RCMP charged him with assaulting another man with a weapon (a wooden pole) following an incident on July 24, 2024, at Wotstak.
He appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 25, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, but failed to return to court for a plea. He missed three court dates before being arrested on a warrant.
Agreed to peace bond
Nekko Dominique, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court on April 25 on three charges laid by RCMP. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the trial did not proceed.
Dominique pleaded not guilty to breaking into a dwelling house, possessing break-in tools, and wearing a mask with intent to commit an indictable offence, following an incident on Feb. 10, 2024, at a residence in Neqotkuk. The peace bond will result in the charges being withdrawn.
Dominique also appeared in provincial court on April 15, in custody via video, for a bail hearing on other separate charges. He was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He returns to court for plea on May 6 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged him with breaching a release order (curfew) for an incident on April 12 at Neqotkuk. The court heard that more charges are pending for May 6.
In custody awaiting trial
Gary Frederick Kilcollins, 48, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on April 24. He waived his bail until later.
Woodstock Police charged Kilcollins with breaching his release order in connection with an incident on March 13 in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for May 14 at 9:30 a.m.
He also pleaded not guilty to several other charges laid by Woodstock Police. On Thursday, his trial on those matters was moved to May 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged Kilcollins with breaking and entering a dwelling house, theft of a television, and breach of probation for an incident between April 8 and April 16, 2024, in Woodstock, as well as 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.
Mental health assessment
Mackenzie O’Keefe, 28, of Tobique Narrows, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 24 for plea on charges laid by RCMP.
His plea was adjourned until after O’Keefe completes a 10-day mental health assessment. He returns to court in custody for a fitness hearing on May 5 at 9:30 a.m.
O’Keefe appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 4 after being arrested on warrants. He was remanded on charges in Edmundston and underwent a five-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche Hospital. On April 24, he told the court in Woodstock he needed further assessment and admitted to using crystal meth.
O’Keefe was charged with mischief causing property damage to a windshield on Oct. 26, 2023, at Tobique Narrows, and possession of a stolen vehicle and driving while suspended on Dec. 30, 2023, at Quaker Brook, Victoria County.
Neqotkuk woman turns herself in
Ashley Paul, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 24 for a bail hearing on charges laid by RCMP. Her bail hearing was adjourned until May 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Paul was charged with breaking into a dwelling house, theft of two TVs and a laptop, mischief causing property damage to a door, breach of probation, and breach of a peace bond following an incident on March 21 at Craig’s Flats. She was also charged with breaching her curfew on April 1 at Bairdsville.
She turned herself in to the police on April 21 because she could not comply with her release order. She will enter a plea to the charges at her court appearance on May 8.
Paul is awaiting trial in provincial court on June 23-25 on other charges in connection with an alleged kidnapping at Neqotkuk in April 2024. She was released with conditions at that time with an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle.
In custody awaiting trial
Shawn Sullivan, 38, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 24 and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was scheduled for June 9 at 9:30 a.m. He waived his bail until later.
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Sullivan appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 20 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was later arrested on a theft charge in Fredericton and denied bail.
In Woodstock, Sullivan was charged by the RCMP with breaching a no-contact release order and breaching probation, stemming from an incident on March 14 at Gladwyn.
He was also breaching his release order and breach of probation concerning an incident on Feb. 20 in Waterville, and theft from the Twin Rivers Paper Company in Plaster Rock on Jan. 12.
At an earlier court appearance, Sullivan pleaded not guilty to assaulting another man and breach of probation in connection with an incident on Nov. 23, 2024, at Plaster Rock and Gladwyn. His trial was rescheduled for June 9 at 9:30 a.m. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant. Sullivan has a prior criminal record.
Bail hearing adjourned
Austin Aubin, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 25 for the continuation of his bail hearing. The hearing was adjourned until April 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Aubin was arrested on the Easter weekend for breaching his release order. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 10 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.
Aubin was charged by RCMP with possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, breach of probation, unsafe storage of a firearm, and possession of a firearm without a licence concerning a March 27 incident at Neqotkuk.
He was scheduled to return to court for plea on April 29 at 1:30 p.m., but was taken back into custody.
Released after long remand
Nicholas Paul, 47, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 24 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Paul was also placed under house arrest with permission to attend counselling and treatment for addiction in his community and at an off-site rehab facility in Prince William.
Nicholas Paul and his wife, Jennifer Louise Paul, 45, were arrested at Tobique First Nation on multiple charges and remanded to jail.
Jennifer Paul was denied bail in December and intends to apply for bail review at the Court of King’s Bench. She was charged with possession of a prohibited firearm (a sawed-off shotgun) without a licence and being an occupant of a vehicle, knowing it carried a gun, for an incident on Sept. 25, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She pleaded not guilty. A new trial date for her has been set for May 15 at 9:30 a.m.
At the time of their arrest, they were each charged by RCMP with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking for an incident on Oct. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk. The crown withdrew another charge of trafficking in cocaine on March 18. They pleaded not guilty, and their trial dates were July 14 and July 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Jennifer Paul was also charged with breach of a release order (no weapons), possession of a stolen licence plate, possession of a prohibited weapon (a collapsible baton) without a licence, and possession of currency obtained by crime for an incident on Oct. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She pleaded not guilty. A new trial date will be confirmed on May 15.
Nicholas Paul was also charged with breach of a release order and driving while prohibited on Sept. 22-24, 2024, at Neqotkuk; and breach of a release order (no drugs), possession of ammunition while prohibited, and possession of a stolen licence plate on Oct. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for July 14 and July 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Jennifer Paul was also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, breach of probation and possession of a stolen credit card for an incident on Sept. 12, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She pleaded not guilty. A new trial date for her will be set for May 15.
Charged with breaching house arrest
Gavin Schloemer, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on April 25 for a hearing about an alleged breach of his house arrest. The hearing was adjourned until May 6 at 1:30 p.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
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. Judge Kelly Winchester warned Schloemer that he would have to serve his sentence in prison if he were found guilty.
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.
