Woodstock man awaits bail hearing
Allan Charles McLaughlin, 63, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 29 for a bail hearing on weapons charges related to a domestic dispute. His bail hearing was adjourned until May 8 at 1:30 p.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
McLaughlin was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (a nine-millimetre handgun), pointing a firearm at a female victim, assault with a weapon (a handgun), and careless use of a firearm in connection with an incident on April 13 in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants. He was also charged with breaching a no-contact order on April 15 in Canterbury.
The Woodstock Police attended a residence on April 13 to respond to a call regarding a domestic dispute. During the course of their investigation, they determined a male suspect had produced a loaded handgun and pointed it at a female victim during the altercation.
Following this incident, police executed a search warrant at the same residence, which resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns, and more than 1,500 rounds of ammunition.
Johnville man in custody
Cole Smith, 30, of Johnville, was arrested by Woodstock Police when he attended provincial court on April 29. He returned to court in custody later in the day on Tuesday to answer new charges.
Smith was charged with assault with a weapon (a metal stool) and two counts of uttering threats on April 10-11 in Woodstock. He returns to court for plea on May 20 at 9:30 a.m.
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.
Sentenced to six days or time served
Larry Shane Kennedy, 50, of Kirkland, appeared in provincial court in custody on April 28 and pleaded guilty to breaching his release order. He was sentenced to six days in jail or time served. He was released on stricter conditions with an ankle bracelet after spending the weekend in jail.
Kennedy and Joshua Sterling Trail, 41, of Benton, appeared in provincial court on April 3 to answer drug trafficking charges related to a police bust in Kirkland on Feb. 16.
Kennedy and Trail were each charged with possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine, both for the purpose of trafficking. Trail appeared in court in custody by video. The two men return to court for plea on May 13 at 1:30 p.m.
On Feb. 18, Kennedy and Trail appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on indictable robbery charges laid by the RCMP. Kennedy was released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. Trail waived his bail until later and was remanded to jail.
They were each charged with 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 was also charged with fraudulent impersonation at Richmond Corner on Dec. 9, 2024.
On March 11, Trail appeared in provincial court via video in custody to answer additional charges laid by the Woodstock Police. That matter was adjourned for plea until May 13 at 1:30 p.m.
Trail was charged with breaking into a dwelling house on Charlotte Street to commit mischief, unlawful entry to commit 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.
A co-accused, Dynielle Demerchant, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on April 3 to answer the same list of charges for the alleged break-in on Charlotte Street. She also returns to court for plea on May 13 at 1:30 p.m.
Demerchant is also awaiting a new trial date on other separate charges of possession of stolen property and breach of probation concerning an incident on Sept. 17, 2024, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty.
Sentence pending for Beechwood man
Clay Hargrove, 34, of Beechwood, will appear in provincial court in custody by video on May 2 at 9:30 a.m. for a decision on his sentencing after pleading guilty to several charges laid by the RCMP.
Hargrove pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen vehicle, flight from police, and driving while prohibited for an incident on Dec. 8, 2024, at Tobique Narrows. Another charge of driving while suspended was withdrawn by the crown.
Hargrove also pleaded guilty to breaking into a cabin on Sept. 4, 2024, at Tobique Narrows. Two other charges related to the incident were withdrawn. The court heard the break-in was captured on video surveillance.
Crown Prosecutor Sean Corscadden recommended Hargrove receive nine months in jail, minus time served, and 12 months of probation. He noted the accused struggled with addiction and mental health issues. Hargrove had a prior criminal record.
Defence Counsel Bronwyn Mooney agreed with the crown on the sentence but would not concede to her client paying a restitution order totalling $4,215 related to a list of items stolen from the cabin at Tobique Narrows. The issue of restitution is to be resolved by the May 2 court date.
Hargrove pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault involving a male victim and possession of a stolen ATV for an incident on Aug. 27, 2024, at Upper Kent. His trial date was set for June 26 at 9:30 a.m.
He appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 17, 2024, and waived his bail until later.
Trial at King’s Bench
Patrick Harris, 40, of Hartland, and Tamara Hamilton, 30, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on April 29 to answer charges stemming from a shooting in Mainstream in February. They both elected trial at the Court of King’s Bench and pleaded not guilty to the charges. A preliminary hearing was set for Nov. 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Harris appeared in court in custody by video on March 19 for his bail hearing. He was released from custody with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He will be residing in Hartland under house arrest with a curfew.
Hamilton was released on Feb. 20 with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle. She was placed under house arrest with a curfew at a residence in Woodstock.
Harris was charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited (a sawed-off shotgun), discharging a firearm at a place while reckless as to whether a person was present, possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition without a licence, wearing a mask with intent to commit an offence; uttering threats against another man, breach of probation, pointing a gun at another person, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and being an occupant of a vehicle (a half-ton truck) knowing it carried a firearm.
Hamilton was charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited (a sawed-off shotgun), possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, discharging a firearm at a place while reckless as to whether a person was present, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition without a licence, and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun.
The pair was arrested by RCMP inside a garage in Pembroke after a blue half-ton truck was spotted leaving the scene of the shooting in Mainstream on Feb. 17.
Sentencing adjourned to new date
Deven Lennon, 31, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court for sentencing on April 29 after pleading not guilty to six charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until May 28 at 9:30 a.m. to allow for the preparation of a victim impact statement.
Lennon pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon (keys), and assault involving a female victim on Oct. 20, 2024, at Neqotkuk; assaulting a female, assault with a weapon (a bottle), and uttering threats on Nov. 5, 2024, at Neqotkuk; and assaulting a female, on Oct. 2, 2024, at Neqotkuk. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Guilty plea on two charges
Jayson Lee O’Hagan, 21, of Bairdsville, appeared in provincial court on April 29 and changed his plea to guilty on two charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was set for June 3 at 1:30 p.m.
O’Hagan pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and breaching a release order on Sept. 15, 2024, near Bairdsville. The crown withdrew several other charges. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 20 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including house arrest.
Released with conditions
Austin Aubin, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 28 for the continuation of his bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He returns to court for plea on May 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Aubin will be residing at a residence in Campbellton. He was arrested on the Easter weekend for allegedly breaching his release order.
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.
In custody awaiting sentencing
Greg Paul McCormick, 36, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 28 and pleaded guilty to three charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until June 3 at 1:30 p.m.
McCormick pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon (a taser) while prohibited from having it, concerning an incident on Feb. 25 in Woodstock.
He also pleaded guilty to mischief causing property damage to a truck, and guilty to possessing a weapon (a BB gun) to commit an offence on Feb. 25 at Wotstak. The crown withdrew three other charges.
Fined $1,240 under the Fish and Wildlife Act
Brian Trevor Fox, 48, of Meductic, and Joseph Roy, 63, of Bedell, appeared for trial in provincial court on April 28 and April 23 after pleading not guilty to charges under the Fish and Wildlife Act.
Fox changed his plea to guilty on charges of discharging a firearm (a shotgun) too close to a dwelling, failing to wear hunter orange, and driving an ATV without a helmet in connection with an incident on Nov. 4, 2023, near Meductic. He was fined $1,240 and was suspended from hunting for one year. The crown withdrew two other charges.
Roy was charged with illegal possession of a deer carcass, discharging a firearm too close to a dwelling, hunting antlerless deer without the proper licence, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, failing to properly tag a deer, and driving an ATV without a helmet concerning the same incident. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was adjourned until Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Trial set on sex charges
Benjamin Greer, 27, of Weston, appeared in provincial court on April 29 and pleaded not guilty to several sex charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was set for May 7-8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. and May 11, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Greer appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 13 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
He was charged with sexual assault, touching a minor for a sexual purpose, making sexually explicit material available to a minor, invitation to sexual touching, accessing child pornography, and using a computer system to facilitate an offence in connection with incidents between Aug. 1, 2024, and Jan. 31, 2025, at Teeds Mill. He also faces an additional charge of uttering threats to a female victim.
Greer was ordered to have no contact with the complainants as part of his release. He was placed under house arrest with permission to attend work. A monitoring date for his trial was also scheduled for Oct. 27 at 1:30 p.m.
Mental health assessment
Mackenzie O’Keefe, 28, of Tobique Narrows, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 29 for a hearing about his request for a mental health assessment.
His plea on three charges was adjourned until he completes a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. He returns to court in custody on May 29 at 9:30 a.m. for a hearing about the results of his medical report.
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 by RCMP 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.
Returning for plea
Lacy Ann McClendon of Perth-Andover will appear in provincial court on May 20 at 9:30 a.m. for a plea on charges laid by the RCMP.
McClendon was charged with dangerous driving, flight from police, driving while suspended and breach of a peace bond in connection with an incident on Jan. 31. She was scheduled to appear in court on April 29 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of her defence counsel.
Trial scheduled in driving incident
Olivia Annette Young, 32, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on April 29 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. Her trial was set for Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Young was charged with fleeing from police and dangerous driving in connection with an incident on September 13, 2024, in Woodstock. She is also awaiting trial on Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m. in relation to a charge of breaching her curfew.
Young also returns to court on May 27 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on another charge of fleeing police, stemming from another incident on Aug. 17, 2024, in Woodstock.
Plea adjourned to new date
Zachery Don Brooks, 21, of Peel, will appear in provincial court for plea on May 13 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. He was scheduled to enter his plea on April 29 when the matter was adjourned at the request of his defence counsel.
Brooks appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 20 and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him with assaulting a female victim, assault by choking, unlawful confinement and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone on Feb. 12 at Lower Brighton.
Woodstock Police charged him with assaulting a female victim and unlawful confinement for an incident on Feb. 19 in Woodstock. Brooks also faces a charge of assaulting another woman on Nov. 24, 2024, in Lower Brighton.
Seeking resolution
Tristan Alexander Calhoun, 38, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on May 6 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge. The matter was scheduled for April 29 but was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel. The court heard that a resolution is being sought with the crown.
Calhoun was charged by Woodstock Police with assaulting a woman, stemming from an incident between March 31 and Oct. 30, 2024, in Woodstock.
Awaiting trial date
Cassidy Guest, 33, of Grand Falls, appeared in provincial court on April 29 and pleaded not guilty to several charges laid by Woodstock Police. He returns to court on May 20 at 9:30 a.m. to set a date for his trial.
Guest was also 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.
A co-accused, Lori Guest of Grand Falls, was charged with being an accessory after the fact in the alleged crime. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was set for May 14-15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A pre-trial conference will be held on Oct. 27 at 1:30 p.m.
Plea adjourned on two charges
McKayla Ruth McLaughlin, 22, of Pembroke, appeared in provincial court on April 29 to answer two charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 27 at 9:30 a.m.
McLaughlin was charged with assault with a weapon (hot coffee) and assault causing bodily harm in connection with an incident on May 24, 2023, in Woodstock.
Gordonsville man on trial
Brandon Levesque, 26, of Gordonsville, will appear for trial in provincial court in custody on April 30 and May 9 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by RCMP.
Levesque was charged by RCMP 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 was also charged by RCMP 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.
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.
Charged with impaired driving
Amit Mann, 40, of Woodstock, will appear for trial on April 30 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to an impaired driving charge laid by Woodstock Police. Mann was charged in connection with an incident on Feb. 11, 2023, in Woodstock.
Warrant on file
Kelsey Janetta Brooker, 30, of Florenceville-Bristol, failed to appear in provincial court on April 29 for plea on a shoplifting charge laid by Woodstock Police. A warrant will be held on file until her next court appearance.
Brooker was charged with theft from Walmart on Connell Street in connection with an incident in Woodstock in July 2023.
Plea pending for Neqotkuk man
Trevor Lee Bear, Jr., 27, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on April 29 to answer one charge laid by RCMP.
Bear was charged with breach of probation by violating a no-contact order in connection with an incident on Feb. 7 at Neqotkuk. The matter was adjourned until May 20 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Found guilty of one charge
Brittany Priscilla King, 27, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on April 24 and was found guilty of one count of theft. Her sentencing date was set for May 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged King with assault with a weapon (a knife) and assault causing bodily harm to a male victim, theft, and unlawful entry at a dwelling house concerning an incident on Nov. 5, 2023, in Woodstock. She was found not guilty of the assault charges and the unlawful entry.
King appeared in provincial court on Feb. 4 and pleaded not guilty to one other charge laid by Woodstock Police. Her trial dates were scheduled for Feb. 9 and Feb. 11, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A pre-trial conference will also be held on Oct. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Woodstock Police charged King with breach of a release order by violating electronic monitoring in Woodstock between Dec. 7 and Dec. 9, 2024. She appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 10, 2024. She was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing and was released with conditions on Dec. 20, 2024.
She was also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, dangerous driving, committing mischief causing property damage and assault using a vehicle following an incident on Sept. 17, 2023, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was adjourned until May 8 at 9:30 a.m.
King was also charged with possessing a stolen vehicle on Nov. 22, 2022, and failing to attend court on Feb. 21, 2023. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was adjourned to Jan. 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Wotstak woman awaiting sentencing
Catherine Polchies, 46, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on April 29 for sentencing after changing her plea to guilty on three charges laid by RCMP. Her sentencing date was adjourned until Aug. 5 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the completion of a pre-sentence report.
Polchies was charged with breaching a release order and possession of stolen property on Feb. 1, 2024, and unauthorized possession of a firearm, careless use of a gun and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm for an incident on Nov. 11, 2023, in Woodstock. She pleaded guilty to the breach and one firearm offence, and the remaining charges will be withdrawn at sentencing.
Polchies was also charged under the Fish and Wildlife Act with discharging a firearm too close to a dwelling house and not wearing hunter orange following an incident on Sept. 27, 2022, at Lower Woodstock. She pleaded guilty to one count under the Fish and Wildlife Act.
