Limestone man awaits sentencing for violent attack
Riley Cowper, 20, of Limestone, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody by video on March 3 and changed his plea to guilty on two charges related to a violent attack on another local man. He’ll be sentenced on April 22 at 1:30 p.m.
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.
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 Monday, the court heard that Cowper and Butler met at a swimming hole called the rock quarry on Critter Road outside of Woodstock. Butler was drinking that evening, so Cowper offered to drive him home to Bulls Creek. They left together in Butler’s vehicle around 10:30 p.m.
Much to Butler’s surprise, Cowper drove to a farm in Jackson Falls owned by his employer, Danny Metherall. Cowper told Butler the vehicle was low on gas, got out of the car and went into a shop nearby. Cowper then yelled for Butler to “come check this out.”
As Butler walked into the shop, Cowper struck him on the head, face and arms with a hammer and wrench. When Butler cried out, Cowper said, “shut up,” so Butler played dead on the ground. Then, he saw Cowper reaching for a bigger hammer.
Butler ran back to his vehicle, but Cowper had the car keys. He followed Butler and used the hammer to smash out a window in the car. Butler then fled on foot and hid in a nearby cornfield while Cowper yelled for him to come back.
After the attack, Cowper went to Metherall’s residence and informed his boss he had “taken care of Butler” by beating him with a hammer. Cowper then left the property in Butler’s car.
Shortly after, Butler showed up at Metherall’s door covered in blood. He said Cowper tried to kill him. The police were called, and Butler was taken to the hospital. Blood was found on the tools and the shop floor.
Butler’s vehicle was later found burned in Fredericton, and his cell phone was located in Carleton Park on the city’s north side. Cowper turned himself in to the police.
Fine and jail time for hunting offence
Tristan Dale Trafford, 29, of Tracey Mills, was sentenced on March 4 to seven days in jail, to be served on weekends, after pleading guilty to one charge laid under the Fish and Wildlife Act. He was also fined $2,400.
Conservation officers charged Trafford with hunting bear during a closed season following an incident on Sept. 24, 2024, at Rustine Lake in York County. The crown withdrew two other charges. He had no prior record.
Arthurette man has 12 more charges
Johnny Lee Bloodsworth, 39, of Arthurette, appeared in provincial court on March 4 to face 12 new charges laid by RCMP. He returns to court for plea on April 1 at 9:30 a.m.
Bloodsworth was charged with four counts of sexual assault and eight counts of touching a minor for a sexual purpose in connection with incidents between July 10, 2023, and Sept. 4, 2023, at Arthurette.
He is also scheduled for trial on other separate charges laid by the RCMP. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for May 12, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Bloodsworth was charged with sexual assault, two counts of touching a minor for a sexual purpose, and uttering threats in connection with an incident between April 1, 2023 and Sept. 1, 2023, at Arthurette.
He also faces several firearm charges for a separate incident on June 14, 2024, at Arthurette, including possession of multiple shotguns and rifles without a licence, possession of a prohibited firearm with ready ammunition, and possession of several restricted firearms without a licence.
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 at a residence in Grand Falls.
Held for bail hearing
Brandon Michael Francis, 29, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on March 3 after being arrested on a warrant. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on March 6 at 1:30 p.m.
Francis was charged with breach of a release order by violating electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet) concerning an incident on Jan. 10 at Neqotkuk.
He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Jan. 6 and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him with breach of probation, and he was arrested on the weekend of Jan. 4. He failed to attend court on Jan. 28, and a warrant was issued. Francis has a prior criminal record.
Released with ankle bracelet
Patrick Campbell, 29, of Carlingford, appeared in provincial court in custody on March 4 to face two new charges laid by RCMP.
Campbell was charged with breaching a no-contact order and obstructing the course of justice following an incident on March 3 at Carlingford. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Campbell returns to court for a plea on March 11 at 9:30 a.m., when he is also scheduled to appear on six other charges.
Campbell was also charged with sexual assault involving a female victim, assault causing bodily harm, assault by choking, assault with a weapon (a knife), attempting to obstruct justice, and administering a noxious substance in connection with incidents between 2020 and 2024 in Victoria County.
House arrest, probation for assault
Garrison Cane Perley, 34, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court for sentencing on March 4 after pleading guilty to two charges of assault. He received six months of house arrest and 18 months of probation.
Perley pleaded guilty to assault by choking involving a female victim and assault with a weapon (a knife) in connection with an incident on Oct. 14, 2023, near Perth-Andover. The crown withdrew another charge of assault.
As part of his sentence, he was also ordered to register with the federal DNA database and was prohibited from weapons for five years. Perley will be able to attend work during his house arrest.
The court heard details of a violent domestic dispute at an apartment where the accused attacked a woman while he was heavily intoxicated. Police arrived and found the premises trashed, and the accused left the building with a laundry basket full of his belongings.
Defence Counsel Alex Carleton said Perley was remorseful for his actions and undertook counselling and treatment for alcohol abuse. He was gainfully employed and has been sober for the past year.
Suspended sentence, probation
Roger Powers, 63, of Wapske, received a suspended sentence and 18 months of probation when he appeared in provincial court on March 3 to be sentenced on an assault charge. He was also fined $100.
Powers appeared for trial in provincial court on Nov. 27, 2024, after pleading not guilty to sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to common assault, and the crown withdrew the sex charge. RCMP charged him with an incident in Plaster Rock on June 3, 2023. He had a dated prior criminal record.
Wotstak man to stand trial for trafficking
Jacob Richard Sewell, 34, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on March 4 and pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges.
Sewell was charged with two counts of trafficking in cocaine in connection with incidents on April 24 and May 2, 2024, in Woodstock. His trial date was set for Feb. 19-20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was also set for Sept. 23 at 1:30 p.m.
Sewell was also charged with uttering threats and assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a female victim, stemming from an incident on Sept. 27, 2024, at Wotstak. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Feb. 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
New charges after altercation
Cassidy Guest, 33, and Lori Guest of Grand Falls appeared in provincial court on March 4 to answer charges laid by Woodstock Police. They return to court for plea on April 1 at 9:30 a.m.
Cassidy Guest was charged by Woodstock Police with assault by choking, unlawful confinement, assault involving a female victim, uttering threats, breach of an undertaking, robbery of a cell phone, mischief causing property damage, and assault while threatening to use a weapon (a knife) concerning an incident between Feb. 15 and Feb.16 in Woodstock. Lori Guest was charged with being an accessory after the fact in the alleged crime.
Cassidy Guest also appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Feb. 25 after pleading guilty to a separate assault charge. Judge Karen Lee adjourned the sentencing until March 18 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for further submissions from both the crown and defence counsel.
Guest was charged by RCMP in connection with an incident on July 21, 2022, at the Perth-Andover Motor Inn. The court heard Guest launched a surprise attack on another man in the parking lot and punched and kicked him. He was first charged with assault causing bodily harm but pleaded guilty to the lesser included offence of common assault.
Guest did not return for sentencing on Feb. 20, 2024, and an arrest warrant was issued. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 18 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear. He pleaded guilty and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. Guest had no prior criminal record. He had been on the lam and working out west for a year before he was arrested in February.
Two charged with break and enter
Makayla Marie Shaw, 27, of Plaster Rock, and Adam Demerchant, of Moncton, will appear in provincial court on March 18 at 9:30 a.m. for a plea on a break-and-enter charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Demerchant appeared in court in custody on March 4 and was released with conditions until his next court appearance.
Shaw appeared in custody on Feb. 25 on a charge of breaching a release order (curfew) in Woodstock between Sept. 15, 2024, and Nov. 7, 2024. She was released to return to a rehab facility in Moncton.
Woodstock Police charged the pair with breaking into a residence on Creighton Street in Woodstock on Sept. 26, 2024.
Sentencing adjourned on multiple charges
Edward Hayes Jr., 29, of Benton, appeared for sentencing in provincial court in custody by video on March 4 after changing his plea to guilty on several charges laid by the RCMP. At the request of his defence counsel, his sentencing was adjourned until March 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Hayes pleaded guilty to refusing a breathalyzer demand, resisting arrest, assaulting two police officers, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, assault causing bodily harm on a female victim, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, and driving while prohibited in connection with an incident on Aug. 27, 2024, at Centreville.
At an earlier court appearance, Hayes also pleaded guilty to flight from police and breach of probation, shoplifting at the Superstore in Grand Falls on May 24, 2023, and breach of probation on March 14, 2023, in Grand Falls. His sentencing was adjourned to March 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Returning for plea
Jeffrey Pike of Juniper appeared in provincial court on March 4 to answer new charges laid by RCMP. He returns to court for plea on March 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Pike was charged with two counts of assault involving a female victim on Dec. 25, 2024, and Dec. 27, 2024, at Juniper; assault with a weapon (a dresser), and uttering threats between Dec. 25, 2024, and Dec. 27, 2024, at Juniper.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 14 on four other charges laid by RCMP. He was released with conditions, with a plea date of March 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Pike was charged with two counts of breaching an undertaking (no contact order) on Feb. 7 and Feb. 9 at Juniper and breach of an undertaking and obstructing the course of justice on Feb. 10 at Juniper. As part of his release, he was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Trial set on three charges
Damian Oakes, 26, of Coldstream, appeared in provincial court on March 4 and pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Feb. 12-13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Oakes was charged with indictable sexual assault, touching for a sexual purpose, and using a weapon to commit an assault (a lighter) in connection with an incident between Jan. 1, 2017 and Dec. 13, 2021. A pre-trial conference will be held on Sept. 9 at 1:30 p.m.
Multiple trials for Woodstock man
Logan Estey, 20, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on March 4 for monitoring about his trial on multiple charges. He confirmed he has legal counsel to proceed.
Estey pleaded not guilty on all counts, and three trial dates were set for Oct. 31 at 9:30 a.m., Feb. 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. and March 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Estey was charged by RCMP with assault, assault with a weapon (a car), and dangerous driving following an incident on July 24, 2024, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation).
Woodstock Police charged him with two counts of breaching a no-contact order concerning an incident in Woodstock on Aug. 3, 2024. He was ordered to have no further contact with the complainant. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 8, 2024, and was released with conditions.
He was also charged with mischief causing property damage to a window and possession of a firearm for the purpose of committing an offence in connection with an incident on Jan. 1, 2024, in Upper Woodstock. The court heard Estey is also facing more charges in Fredericton.
Not-guilty plea entered
Donald Nason, 63, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court on March 4 and pleaded not guilty to an assault charge laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Feb. 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Nason was charged with assault by choking involving a female victim concerning an incident on Jan. 2 in Hartland. He was released on an undertaking until his trial.
Returning for plea
Ryan Fitzherbert, 30, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on March 4 to answer a stolen property charge laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until April 1 at 9:30 a.m.
Fitzherbert was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle at Pembroke on Oct. 23, 2024. Woodstock Police also charged him with trespassing at the Canadian Tire Store in Woodstock.
Facing weapons charges
London Murchison, 19, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on March 4 for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until March 18 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Murchison was charged with assault with a weapon (a knife) and possession of a prohibited weapon (a butterfly knife) concerning an incident on Sept. 2, 2024, at Plaster Rock.
Plea adjourned to new date
Seth McAskill, 21, of Wapske, appeared in provincial court on March 4 to answer assault charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until March 18 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
McAskill appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 21 and was released with conditions. He was charged with two counts of assault involving a female victim on Dec. 17 and Dec. 18, 2024, at Plaster Rock and breach of an undertaking by violating a no-contact order on Jan. 20 at Plaster Rock.
Sentencing adjourned
Ronald Johnston, 68, of Lincoln, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on March 4 after changing his plea to guilty on an impaired driving charge.
RCMP charged Johnston following an incident on July 16, 2021, in Perth-Andover. His sentencing was adjourned until March 10 at 1:30 p.m.
Plea pending for Woodstock man
Justin Ryan Shea, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on March 4 for monitoring about his trial and to confirm a date for plea on a new charge. The matter was adjourned until March 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Shea appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Feb. 27 and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him with breaching his release order concerning an incident on Feb. 18 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 4 and pleaded not guilty to two drug trafficking charges. His trial was set for Jan. 26 and Jan. 28, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Shea was charged by Woodstock Police with trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking in connection with incidents in Woodstock on June 30 and May 2, 2024. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Shea appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. Woodstock Police charged him with break-in, theft, and theft at a house on Creighton Street on Sept. 26, 2024, and an additional charge of breaching an undertaking (curfew). He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 14 at 9:30 a.m.
A co-accused, James Blair Hovey, 27, of Perth Andover, faces charges for the same alleged break-in and will stand trial with Shea on July 14. Hovey is also facing additional charges, and he remains in custody.
Shea was also charged with mischief causing property damage and break, enter, and theft at the East Coast Truck Wash for an incident on March 17, 2024, in Lower Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty and his trial was set for Jan. 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was scheduled for Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Two charged with theft
The court issued an arrest warrant for William (Billy) Harding, 34, of Plaster Rock, after he failed to appear in provincial court for plea on March 4.
Harding was charged by Woodstock Police with theft from the Superstore and breach of probation following an incident on Sept. 10, 2024, in Woodstock.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 10 and was released with conditions.
A co-accused, Tammy Schloemer, 60, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on March 4. She was also charged with theft from the Superstore for the same incident. Her matter was adjourned for plea until March 18 at 9:30 a.m.
