Woodstock man released after arrest during police operation
Ronald David Whitfield, 29, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on June 8 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions following his arrest during a heavy police operation on Elm Street in Woodstock last week.
Whitfield was charged with possession of a firearm without a licence, pointing a firearm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and carrying a firearm in a careless manner. He returns to court for plea on June 30 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police laid the charges after executing a search warrant at a residence on Elm Street on June 2 when a firearm and a quantity of ammunition were seized. The seizure was conducted in cooperation with the Fredericton Police Force Emergency Response Team. Police said specialized tactics, including specialty munitions, were utilized to bring the operation to a safe and swift conclusion.
10 months in jail, minus time served
Nicholas Hamilton, 32, of Richmond Corner, was sentenced to 10 months in jail, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court via video in custody on June 9. He was also placed on 18 months’ probation and fined $500.
Hamilton will have 82 days left to serve once his remand time is applied. He has been in custody since being denied bail in January. Judge Rose Campbell also ordered him to seek counselling for mental health and addiction and prohibited him from driving for one year. A lifetime prohibition on firearms was also imposed.
Hamilton pleaded guilty to flight from police, dangerous driving; possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, possession of a firearm without a licence (a shotgun and rifle), driving while suspended, and transporting firearms in a careless manner. Another firearm charge was withdrawn by the Crown.
The charges were laid by the RCMP following a police chase on Jan. 13 in Lindsay, during which a spike belt was used to stop a speeding half-ton truck. The court heard the chase began on Route 540 in Kirkland and the accused drove away from police for 30 kilometres before being stopped in Lindsay. Two loaded firearms were found in the backseat. A shotgun and a rifle were forfeited to the Crown.
A female passenger, Kaylee Melinda Smith, 25, of Clearview, was also arrested and is facing charges after ammunition was allegedly found in her purse. Hamilton had a prior criminal record.
Fined $2,400
Jerod Nowlan, 40, of Rosedale, was fined a total of $2,400 when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing on June 9 on charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Nowlan pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen motorcycle and altering a vehicle identification number on Aug. 5, 2025; to flight from police on April 30, 2025; and to cheque fraud under $5,000 on Dec. 2, 2024, at the TD Bank in Woodstock. The court heard Nowlan currently had a limited income and he hoped to work off the fines. He had a prior criminal record.
Warrant on file
A warrant was held on file for Kayla Dawn Tibbits, 33, of Woodstock, after she failed to appear in provincial court on June 9 for monitoring about her trial.
Tibbits pleaded not guilty to four charges laid by Woodstock Police. Her trial was scheduled for Aug. 14, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
She was charged with breach of probation, theft, debit card fraud, and possession of stolen property in connection with three incidents in Woodstock between Nov. 20, 2024, and Dec. 6, 2024.
Agreed to peace bond
Tammy Lloyd, 49, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on June 9 for a monitoring hearing about her trial on a threat charge. She agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond and the trial, set for June 25, was cancelled.
Lloyd was charged with uttering threats against another woman concerning an incident on Feb. 21, 2025, at Upper Kent. She pleaded not guilty. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn.
Sentencing in August
Joshua Jarrett, 39, of Woodstock appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on June 8 and changed his plea to guilty on two charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing was set for Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Jarrett pleaded guilty to theft of a truck and flight from police on Feb. 5 in East Brighton. Three other charges were withdrawn by the Crown. He appeared in court in custody in March for a bail hearing and was released on conditions, but was later arrested in Fredericton on other matters.
On Aug. 5, he will also enter a plea in Woodstock on another charge of obstructing police on Sept. 25, 2025, at Dow Settlement.
Returning for plea
Marshall Turner, 25, of Beaconsfield, appeared in provincial court on June 9 for plea on five charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until June 16 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Turner appeared in provincial court in custody on May 15 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
He was charged with two counts of breaching a release order and breach of probation on May 7 at Wilmot, as well as breaching a release order and breach of probation on April 8 at Wilmot.
He also appeared in provincial court on March 24 and pleaded not guilty to several other charges laid against him by RCMP. His trial dates were set for April 21-22, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Turner pleaded not guilty to breaching his release order (ankle bracelet) on Feb. 16 in Wilmot; driving while prohibited on Oct. 29, 2025, at Lakeville; possession of a stolen utility trailer, driving while prohibited and breaking into a barn on Nov. 17, 2025, at Meductic. He has a prior criminal record.
Sentencing for assault
Robert McCormick, 65, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court on June 8 and pleaded guilty to an assault charge. His sentencing was booked for Sept. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
McCormick was charged by RCMP in connection with an incident involving a female victim on Jan. 15 at Hartland.
Plea pending in July
William Allen, 55, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on July 7 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Allen was charged with assault involving a female victim stemming from an incident on May 19 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on June 9 when the matter was adjourned to allow him time to seek legal counsel.
Assault with staple gun
Lorie Brooks, 71, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court on July 7 at 9:30 a.m. to answer two charges laid by RCMP.
Brooks was charged with assault with a weapon (a staple gun) and mischief causing property damage concerning an incident on March 9 in Bath. She made her first court appearance on June 9 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of her defence counsel.
Green Road incident
Krystal Davenport, 31, of Green Road, will appear in provincial court on June 30 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge laid by the RCMP.
Davenport was charged with assault with a weapon (a cord) following an incident on April 11 on Green Road. She made her first court appearance on the charge on June 9 when the matter was adjourned to allow her time to secure legal counsel.
Trial date set
Joseph Diamond, 43, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on June 9 for a monitoring hearing about his trial on a sex charge. The court heard he was still awaiting confirmation of legal counsel to proceed. Another monitoring hearing was booked for July 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Diamond pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was scheduled for Aug. 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. He was charged by Woodstock Police with sexual assault involving a minor in connection with an incident on April 27, 2024, in Woodstock.
Plea adjourned
Trevor MacDonald, 52, of Upper Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on June 30 at 9:30 a.m. to answer two charges laid by RCMP. He was scheduled for plea on June 9 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
MacDonald was charged with flight from police and dangerous driving in connection with an incident on Feb. 27 in Meductic.
Charged with firearm offences
Curtis Cowperthwaite, 44, of Deerville, will appear in provincial court on June 16 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two firearm charges laid by RCMP.
Cowperthwaite was charged with careless use of a firearm and illegal possession of a firearm following an incident on April 28 at Deerville. He appeared in court on June 9 when the matter was adjourned at the request of his defence counsel.
Awaiting disclosure
Tanna Wright, 29, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court on July 7 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on several charges. She was scheduled for a court appearance on June 9, when the matter was adjourned to allow further disclosure by the Crown.
Wright appeared in provincial court via video in custody on May 29 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. She was charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, committing mischief, and two counts of breach of probation. She was arrested on April 28 and remanded.
At the request of her lawyer, she was sent for a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche Hospital. She was found fit to stand trial according to her medical report.
Flight from police
Travis Delong, 45, of Williamstown, will appear in provincial court on July 7 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by RCMP.
Delong was charged with failing to stop for police in connection with an incident on Feb. 4 at Florenceville-Bristol. He was scheduled to answer the charge on June 9 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Dead Creek man awaiting trial
Bradley Collicott, 51, of Dead Creek, appeared in provincial court via teleconference on June 9 for a monitoring hearing about his upcoming trial.
Collicott pleaded not guilty to an assault charge and his trial was scheduled for June 15 at 1:30 p.m. He was charged by RCMP with assault involving a female victim following an incident on Nov. 3, 2024, at Dead Creek. He told the court on Tuesday he hoped to have legal counsel in time for his trial.
Preliminary hearing set
Adam Grant Saunders, 29, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on June 9 and elected trial by judge alone at the Court of King’s Bench.
Saunders pleaded not guilty to break and enter and unlawful confinement, and a preliminary hearing was set for Dec. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
He will also appear for trial in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to assault. Saunders was charged by Woodstock Police in connection with an incident on June 6, 2025, in Woodstock.
Plea pending in June
Jill Smith, 37, of Fielding, will appear in provincial court on June 30 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on five charges laid by RCMP. She was scheduled for a plea on June 9, when the matter was adjourned to allow her lawyer more time to review the Crown’s disclosure.
Smith was charged with fraud over $5,000, forgery, identity theft, fraudulent impersonation, and possession of stolen mail between Jan. 1 and March 1, 2025, in Florenceville-Bristol. She is also facing more charges in Fredericton. Smith has a prior criminal record.
Fredericton man remanded
Blake Evan Donald Wilson, 33, of Fredericton, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on June 8 to answer multiple charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until June 16 at 9:30 a.m. The court heard a resolution was being sought with the Crown.
Wilson was charged with break and enter at Canadian Tire, mischief causing property damage to a fence, and breach of a release order (no contact) on March 23 in Woodstock. He was also charged with fraudulent impersonation, resisting arrest, and breach of a release order (no contact) for another incident on March 22 in Woodstock. The court heard Wilson also had a court appearance on other charges in Fredericton on June 12.
Sentence adjourned for assessment
Jacob Richard Sewell, 34, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), will appear in provincial court on June 12 at 1:30 p.m. for a fitness hearing.
Sewell appeared in provincial court for sentencing on May 21 after changing his plea to guilty on a drug trafficking charge laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned to allow for a 20-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche Hospital.
Sewell was charged with two counts of trafficking in cocaine in connection with incidents on April 24 and May 2, 2025, in Woodstock. The court heard Sewell was caught selling cocaine to an undercover police officer during two incidents. With the consent of the Crown, the two counts were rolled into one trafficking charge.
Released until sentencing
Joshua Sterling Trail, 42, of Hartland, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on June 30 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was released from custody with conditions to await his sentencing.
Trail pleaded guilty to unlawful entry at a dwelling house on Charlotte Street and committing mischief while on the property in connection with an incident between Sept. 6 and Sept. 7, 2024, in Woodstock. Several other charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
A co-accused, Dynielle Allison Demerchant, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on June 9 for a monitoring hearing on similar charges related to the break-in on Charlotte Street. The court heard she intended to plead guilty to five charges, but her legal counsel was not present to proceed. Another monitoring hearing was set for June 23 at 9:30 a.m.
At an earlier court appearance, Demerchant pleaded not guilty to possession of stolen property and breach of probation in connection with a separate incident on Sept. 17, 2024, in Woodstock. Her trial will be held on July 23-24, at 9:30 a.m.
Trial pending on multiple charges
Gabriel John Tomah, 22, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on June 9 for a pre-trial conference after pleading not guilty to multiple charges laid by RCMP. The hearing was adjourned until June 16 at 1:30 p.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Tomah has trial dates booked for Oct. 8-9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., Nov. 2, 2026, and Nov. 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Another pre-trial conference was also set for Aug. 27-28, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Tomah was charged by RCMP with sexual assault, assault causing bodily harm, pointing a firearm at another person, and possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence. He appeared in court in custody on May 7, 2025, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
