23 months for shooting incident
Joseph Martin, 38, of Perth-Andover, was sentenced to 23 months in jail, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 25.
Martin pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm, breach of probation, and breaching a no-contact order on July 4, 2024, in Perth-Andover. He had been in custody since his arrest and will have one month left to serve once his remand time is applied.
Judge Henrik Tonning also placed Martin on 12 months of probation and ordered him to register with the federal DNA database. He was also prohibited from using firearms for 10 years and must seek counselling for addiction.
The court heard Martin was involved in a dispute with his neighbours around 10:30 p.m. and fired shots at a nearby residence in the trailer park where he lived. He admitted to being intoxicated by crystal meth when the incident occurred and was playing music, revving his motorbike, and using a chainsaw to cut a hole in the side of his own trailer. Police were called, and a shotgun and shells were found inside the home.
Defence Counsel Alex Carleton said his client’s actions were “bizarre and manic that night,” but they were “not unprovoked.”
Martin said he was assaulted by his neighbours that evening and went on the rampage. He was ordered to have no further contact with them. The shotgun was forfeited to the crown.
“You can’t make this stuff up,” Judge Tonning told the accused. “You were the neighbour from hell. It was a stupid situation that shouldn’t have happened.”
At an early court appearance, Judge Tonning found Martin not guilty of possession of a stolen side-by-side and not guilty of breach of probation on Feb. 21, 2024, in Perth-Andover.
He was also found not guilty of indictable assault for the incident with his neighbours on July 4, 2024. The Crown withdrew four other charges. Martin had a lengthy prior criminal record with no previous convictions for firearm offences.
Two years in prison for drug trafficking
Jacob Alexander Roy, 30, of Windsor, was sentenced to two years in federal prison when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Sept. 26.
Roy pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, breach of a release order, and carrying a concealed weapon (plastic knuckles), following an incident in Woodstock on Aug. 3, 2024. The Crown withdrew three other charges.
Judge Natalie LeBlanc also ordered him to register with the federal DNA database and prohibited him from possessing weapons or firearms for 10 years. Roy had a prior criminal record. He was in remand for months awaiting trial, and then changed his plea. He was then released on Aug. 29 with conditions to await sentencing.
“I know I have to do the time; it is what it is,” Roy told the court as his sentence was imposed. “I want to do better for me and my family.”
The court heard that Roy was stopped by the Woodstock Police when plastic knuckles were found in his pocket. A search of his vehicle uncovered drug paraphernalia, digital scales, and a quantity of crystal meth and cocaine inside a shaving kit.
His cell phone contained data consistent with drug trafficking activity. All items seized during the investigation were forfeited to the Crown.
Ontario man handed house arrest
Charles Wylie Reinhardt, 39, of Ontario, formerly Woodstock, was fined $200 and received three months of house arrest when he appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Sept. 26. He was also prohibited from driving for one year and must seek counselling for alcohol abuse.
Reinhardt was charged by Woodstock Police with dangerous driving, flight from police, refusing a breathalyzer demand and resisting arrest following an incident on July 30, 2023, in Woodstock. He pleaded guilty to fleeing police and the breathalyzer charge. The Crown withdrew the remaining two charges.
The first 45 days of his conditional sentence order will be spent under full house arrest, followed by 45 days of curfew restrictions.
The charges were laid in connection with an incident that occurred during the 2023 Old Home Week parade. Reinhardt did not follow police instructions and drove directly into the parade route on Main Street. He proceeded at slow speed with his four-way lights flashing and was stopped by police near the Bank of Montreal. The parade was underway at the time, and spectators were lining the street on both sides.
Judge Natalie LeBlanc said his actions posed a significant safety risk to parade-goers, including seniors and children.
“I’m totally embarrassed and I apologize,” Reinhardt told the court.
Break-in at Valley Chainsaw
Austin Soucy Barrett, 26, of Keswick Ridge, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Sept. 25. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Oct. 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Barrett was charged with breaking into the Valley Chainsaw Shop in Jacksonville on Sept. 16. No plea date has been scheduled yet.
Alleged assault in Mapledale
Lucas Green, 21, of Richmond Settlement, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 25 for a bail hearing. 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 Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Green with uttering threats on Aug. 13 at Richmond Corner; assaulting another man with a weapon (a metal pipe), and breach of a no-contact order on Sept. 21 in Mapledale.
Another incident in Mapledale
Cameron James Clark, 25, of Mapledale, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 25 for a bail hearing after being arrested by the RCMP on multiple charges. His bail hearing was adjourned until Oct. 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Clark was charged with 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. No plea date has been scheduled yet.
Facing six charges
Joshua Alexander Russell, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 26 for a bail hearing on six 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 Oct. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged Russell with two counts of breaking into a dwelling house, breach of an emergency intervention order, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle, and driving while suspended in connection with an incident on Sept. 21 in Woodstock.
42 gun charges and breach of release
Timothy Brian Wheelan, 37, of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Sept. 25 and was released with conditions. He returns to court for plea on Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Wheelan with breaching his release order by being unlawfully at large (curfew) on Sept. 21 in Carlingford. He was also charged with 42 firearm offences for another incident on June 13 in Jacksonville.
Wheelan, and two co-accused, Kurtis Stenger, 33, of Fredericton, and Samuel Robert Crewe, 31, of Jacksonville, will also appear in provincial court on Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. to answer drug trafficking charges laid by the RCMP.
The three men were each charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine, both for the purpose of trafficking in connection with incidents between June 1 and June 13 in Jacksonville.
Crewe appeared in custody by video on Sept. 16, while Stenger and Wheelan were also present in court.
Awaiting plea on four charges
Luke Crawford, 18, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on four charges laid by Woodstock police.
Crawford was charged with unlawful confinement, assault involving a female victim, and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone following an incident on Aug. 18 in Woodstock. He was also charged with mischief, causing damage to a set of car keys on Aug. 11 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Sept. 23 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Released on an undertaking
Kevin Smith, 48, of Hartley Settlement, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 23 to answer three charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Smith was charged with two counts of assault and uttering threats concerning an incident on July 22 at Juniper. He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
Greenfield man has plea date
Jordan Hill, 21, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 23 to answer four charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to consult a lawyer.
Hill was charged with assault, assault with a weapon, break and enter and committing mischief stemming from an incident on March 13 in Juniper.
Bail hearing rescheduled
Edward Hayes, Jr., 30, appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 26 for a bail hearing. At the request of his defence counsel, the bail hearing was adjourned until Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged Hayes with dangerous driving, flight from police, driving while suspended, and breach of a release order concerning an incident on July 25 in Woodstock.
RCMP also charged him with obstructing police following an incident on Aug. 15 near Meductic when a male suspect jumped into the Eel River and was captured and taken into custody.
Hayes was also charged with assault with a weapon, uttering threats and theft of a motor vehicle on Aug. 14 in Benton. On Aug. 18, Hayes waived his bail until later and was remanded to jail.
On July 25, police were patrolling the Benton area when they encountered a male individual driving an ATV without a helmet. The driver was identified as Hayes, who was subject to several conditions, including a prohibition against driving and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, which he allegedly cut off.
Police reported that Hayes rammed a police vehicle with his ATV when officers tried to stop him and then fled the scene.
A short time later, police observed Hayes driving his ATV through the parking lot of the RCMP detachment in Woodstock and across the front lawn at the Woodstock Courthouse. Both properties sustained minor damage.
Arrested on a warrant
Nathan Harper, 19, of Fredericton, 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 with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He returns to court for plea on Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
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.
Held for bail hearing
Olivia Annette Young, 32, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference from Oromocto on Sept. 25 after being arrested on a warrant. She failed to appear in court on Sept. 5 to set a new trial date.
Judge Henrik Tonning remanded her to jail to await a bail hearing on Sept. 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Young was charged with fleeing from police and dangerous driving in connection with an incident on Sept. 13, 2024, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty. She is also awaiting trial in relation to a charge of breaching her curfew.
Young also has another trial on July 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to fleeing police on Aug. 17, 2024, in Woodstock.
Charged with trafficking in cocaine
Jacob Richard Sewell, 34, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Sept. 23 for a monitoring hearing about drug trafficking charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Sewell was charged with two counts of trafficking in cocaine in connection with incidents on April 24 and May 2 in Woodstock.
He pleaded not guilty, and trial dates were set for Feb. 19-20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Another monitoring hearing was set for Oct. 21 at 1:30 p.m. to confirm that he will be ready to proceed to trial.
Wotstak man remains in custody
Greg Paul McCormick, 36, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 25 to answer charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
McCormick was denied bail when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 8. He was charged by RCMP with arson causing damage to a dwelling house, three counts of uttering threats, breaking into a dwelling house to commit mischief, three counts of assaulting a police officer while threatening to use gasoline, and causing injury to a dog by choking it in connection with an incident on June 25 at Wotstak.
He appeared in court on July 4 for a fitness hearing following a five-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. He was found fit to stand trial in accordance with his medical report. The court heard that a resolution is being sought with the Crown regarding the charges.
Fined for impaired driving, mischief
Carla Lynn Shaw, 57, of Hartland, was fined $2,500 for impaired driving and $500 for mischief when she appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Sept. 26.
Shaw was charged by the RCMP in connection with an incident on March 9, 2024, at the Hartland Legion when a car was damaged in the parking lot. She was also placed on 12 months of probation and was prohibited from driving for one year.
Plea pending for Johnville man
Cole Paul Smith, 30, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 25 to answer multiple charges laid by the RCMP. His plea was adjourned until Oct. 9 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Smith was arrested on a warrant on June 30. The RCMP charged him with breaching a release order by violating electronic monitoring and mischief after causing damage to his ankle bracelet during 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 in custody via video for a bail hearing on May 1 and was released with conditions, but subsequently 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 also appeared in provincial court on April 8 and pleaded not guilty to three other charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was set for March 30, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. He was charged with uttering threats, assault by choking and unlawful entry at a dwelling house on Oct. 22, 2024, at Johnville. The court heard his trial date will have to be moved up if he remains in custody.
Bail hearing adjourned
Nicholas Erikson, 34, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 26 for a bail hearing. At the request of his defence counsel, the bail hearing was adjourned until Sept. 29 at 1:30 p.m.
The RCMP charged Erikson with resisting arrest on Aug. 13 at Benton, as well as breaking into a dwelling house and possession of stolen property on Aug. 12 at Oak Mountain. He will enter a plea on Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Sentencing set
Bryden Till, 20, of Perth-Andover, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Dec. 16 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading guilty to a threat charge.
RCMP charged Till with uttering threats against another man in connection with an incident on March 3 at Perth-Andover.
He pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of dangerous driving and will stand trial on May 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date for his trial was scheduled for March 10, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Jacksonville man awaiting trial
Craig Laskey, 35, of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 for a pre-trial conference after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was rescheduled for May 14, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Laskey was charged with sexual assault for an incident on Aug. 14, 2024, in Jacksonville, and assault by choking and mischief on Aug. 21, 2024, in Bedell.
Charge withdrawn
Travis Sappier of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared for trial in provincial court on Sept. 25 after pleading not guilty to an assault charge.
RCMP charged Sappier with aggravated assault by wounding another man in connection with an incident on May 19 at Neqotkuk. The Crown called no evidence, and a directed verdict of not guilty was handed down by Judge Karen Lee.
In custody awaiting sentencing
William (Billy) Harding, 35, of Plaster Rock, will appear in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on Sept. 29 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading guilty to several charges laid by the RCMP.
Harding was denied bail on July 30. He appeared in court in custody by video on July 29 for a fitness hearing following a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. He was found fit to stand trial.
On Aug. 28, he pleaded guilty to unlawful entry at a dwelling house, mischief causing damage to his ankle bracelet, and one count of breaching his release order on June 7 in Perth-Andover.
He also pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a male victim on May 11 at Perth Andover. The Crown withdrew one other weapons charge.
Harding was also charged by Woodstock Police with theft from the Superstore and breach of probation following an incident on Sept. 10, 2024, in Woodstock. He pleaded guilty to both offences.
He also pleaded guilty to theft of a laptop from Social Development 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 had a prior criminal record.
The court heard he also had a sentencing hearing in Edmundston on Sept. 22 in connection with other matters in that jurisdiction.
Back in federal system
Philip Bennett Sappier, 34, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 25 and pleaded not guilty to a stolen property charge. His trial date was set for April 22, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Sappier was charged by the RCMP with possession of a stolen vehicle on Aug. 23 in Perth-Andover. He told the court he is currently serving a federal prison sentence after being convicted in 2022 for guns and drugs.
He was on parole when the charge of possessing stolen property was laid. Sappier told the court his federal sentence expires in June 2026.
