Cowper appears on attempted murder charge
Riley Cowper, 19, of Limestone, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 27 for a bail hearing in connection with an alleged violent attack on another local man.
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 at Jackson Falls.
Cowper was without legal counsel for the charges on Tuesday, so the matter was adjourned for monitoring until Sept. 10 at 1:30 p.m. At that time, a date for his bail hearing and plea will be set. He remains in custody.
He was arrested on Aug. 13 and ordered to have no contact with Butler, who police said was treated at the hospital for injuries and later released.
Cowper is also facing a separate charge of assault with a weapon (a hammer and tire iron) involving another man on March 23, 2022. That trial was adjourned to Dec. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Aroostook man sentenced to 26 months
Dustin Robert Davenport, 40, of Aroostook, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 26 and was sentenced to 26 months in jail, minus time served. He was also placed on probation for 24 months.
Davenport had been in custody since January when he was denied bail. He changed his plea to guilty on several charges laid by RCMP. The court heard he avoided a federal prison sentence due to nine months served in remand. He had a prior criminal record for violence.
Davenport must also register with the federal DNA database and was prohibited from firearms for 10 years. He must also seek counselling for addiction, anger management, and domestic and family violence. He cannot have contact with three female victims.
Davenport was charged by RCMP with aggravated assault involving a female victim, uttering threats, unlawful confinement, possession of a prohibited weapon (a handheld torch), and breach of probation for an incident on Dec. 12, 2023, near Perth Andover when a woman was seriously burned during a domestic dispute.
Davenport pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of indictable assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats, and the crown withdrew breach of probation and the remaining two charges.
The court heard Davenport used a handheld torch to burn the victim on her back and then physically assaulted her. She was punched and kicked and suffered two black eyes, cuts and bruises in addition to the burn wounds on her back.
Davenport was also charged with uttering threats, breach of probation, breaching a no-contact order, assault involving another female victim, and forcible entry at a dwelling house in connection with a separate incident on Sept. 4, 2023, at Carlingford.
He pleaded guilty to the assault, breach of probation, and breaching a no-contact order and the remaining two charges were withdrawn by the crown. The court heard he was inside a residence when he jammed the victim with a door.
Davenport was also charged with dangerous driving for an incident on Oct. 13, 2023, at Perth-Andover when a man was allegedly dragged by a moving vehicle. The crown will withdraw this charge at his sentencing.
Newbridge man denied bail
Bradley Tyler Whitney, 42, of Newbridge, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 26 for a bail hearing on multiple charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. He was denied bail and returns to court in custody for plea on Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Whitney was charged with forging a doctor’s prescription for Dilaudid on July 30 in Woodstock; breaking into a dwelling house on Slipp Street, uttering threats, and breach of probation on July 14; assaulting a female victim, uttering threats and breach of probation on Aug. 24 in Woodstock; and assault with a weapon (a torch) involving a female victim between July 1-28 in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with any of the complainants.
Whitney was also charged with using counterfeit money and fraud concerning a Jan. 1 incident at Newbridge. He was released on an undertaking at that time and then arrested on the weekend on more charges. He has a limited prior criminal record.
Neqotkuk man gets house arrest
Trevor Lee Bear, Jr., 26, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Aug. 27 for sentencing after pleading guilty to two of four charges laid by RCMP.
Bear was handed a 12-month conditional sentence of house arrest, including a curfew and 12 months of probation. He must also register with the federal DNA database and seek counselling for addiction, anger management, and intimate partner violence. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim.
Bear was charged with prowling, breaking into a dwelling house, assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim, and taking possession of a minor without having lawful care or consent in connection with an incident on Feb. 1 at Neqotkuk. He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Feb. 5 and was released with conditions.
He pleaded guilty in April to assault, causing bodily harm, and breaking into a dwelling house. The crown withdrew the remaining charges.
The court heard the incident involved a domestic dispute with Bear pushing his way into a residence and punching a woman in the face. She was bruised and bloodied as a result of the attack. Photos of her injuries were submitted into evidence by the crown. Bear had no prior criminal record.
Defence Counsel Jonathon Martin told the court Bear was remorseful and struggled with mental health issues as a result of heavy cannabis use.
In federal prison awaiting plea
Ryan Eccleston, 32, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video from federal prison on Aug. 27 to answer two new charges laid by RCMP.
Eccleston was charged with being at large on a release order and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking. He returns to court in custody for plea on Sept. 24 at 11 a.m.
Eccleston was sentenced in 2021 to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to 11 charges laid by RCMP. He was paroled and then returned to jail on the new charges.
In custody for bail hearing
Edward Hayes Jr., 27, of Benton, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Aug. 27. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Aug. 29 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Hayes with assaulting two police officers in connection with an incident on Aug. 27 at Centreville.
Suspended sentence, $600 restitution
Shelby Paul, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Aug. 27 for sentencing after pleading guilty to mischief.
She received a suspended sentence and 12 months of probation. She was also ordered to pay $600 in restitution.
Paul was charged by RCMP with mischief causing property damage to a door at the tribal council office at Neqotkuk on Aug. 23, 2023. The incident was caught on video surveillance. The accused had a prior criminal record.
Sentencing adjourned on drug charge
Bronwyn Barbara Thomas, 23, of Bloomfield, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Aug. 26 after changing her plea to guilty on a drug charge. Her sentencing was adjourned to Oct. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
RCMP charged Thomas with attempting to possess methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking in connection with an incident on March 2, 2022, near Centreville.
Bail hearing scheduled
Brandon Michael Francis, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 27 to answer charges laid by RCMP. He returns to court in custody for a bail hearing on Aug. 29 at 11:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Francis with four counts of committing mischief causing property damage, breach of probation, assault involving a female victim, uttering threats, and willfully causing injury to a dog by kicking it. The charges were laid in connection with July 17 and July 19 incidents at Neqotkuk. He appeared in court in custody on July 23 and was remanded. No plea has yet been entered.
Woodstock man still in custody
Corey Andrew Lane, 39, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug.27 to answer charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. A date for his bail hearing will also be set at that time.
Lane was charged on May 28 with prowling at night near a dwelling house on Main Street in Woodstock and breach of probation.
RCMP also charged him with uttering threats, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, and breach of a no-contact order following an incident on July 18 at Jackson Falls.
Lane was also charged with assault involving a female victim, uttering threats and breach of a no-contact order for another incident on July 15. He appeared in court in custody on July 23 and waived his bail until later.
He also appeared in provincial court on May 21 and pleaded not guilty to other separate charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for June 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Lane was charged with assault involving a female victim on Jan. 1 at Newbridge, and breach of a no-contact order on Feb. 7 at Newbridge. He was also charged with failing to appear in court on March 5 and March 14, breaching an undertaking by violating a no-contact order on Feb. 7 at Newbridge and breaching a release order on April 23 at Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Warrant held on file
Mason Jacob Sullivan, 25, of Woodstock, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Aug. 27 to plead guilty to one charge laid by Woodstock Police. He failed to appear due to illness, and a warrant is being held on file until his next court appearance.
Sullivan was charged with using counterfeit money in connection with an incident on Jan. 16 in Woodstock. The charge alleges two $100 bills and one $20 bill were passed as if they were genuine.
Arrest warrants issued
The court issued arrest warrants for two Polish immigrants who failed to appear in provincial court on Aug. 27 for plea on theft charges.
They appeared in provincial court in custody on July 25 and were ordered out of New Brunswick after being nabbed for a series of thefts linked to the online sale of stolen goods.
Jan Kaminski, 53, and Monika Kwiatkowska, 44, of Etobicoke, Ontario, were jointly charged by RCMP with four counts of theft. They were released from custody on a $1,000 bail bond and ordered to immediately return to their Ontario residence under house arrest.
Judge Henrik Tonning told the pair they had 24 hours to leave the province and ordered them to report to police as soon as they were released and back at their home in Ontario.
The theft charges were laid following a series of shoplifting incidents at Best Home Hardware stores in Florenceville-Bristol and Hartland on March 5, Best Home Hardware in Florenceville-Bristol on July 3, and Brennan Home Hardware in Florenceville-Bristol on July 20.
Kaminski and Kwiatkowska were arrested for numerous thefts in New Brunswick and across Canada, including Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. A Polish interpreter assisted with their arraignment in court in Woodstock on July 25.
They allegedly advertised items for sale online via Facebook Marketplace and on Amazon. Once an interested buyer was identified, the two accused made a list of items and stole them from different businesses. They would then immediately ship the items to the buyer. Police are actively working to determine if there were other victims.
Arrested and released with conditions
Clay Nicholson, 27, of Woodstock, formerly of Clearview, appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 26 and was released with conditions. He returns to court on Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date on several charges.
Nicholson was charged with assault with a weapon (a pizza cutter), unlawful entry at a dwelling house, uttering threats, and assaulting another man. He pleaded not guilty on Aug. 20. He was released on an undertaking and was scheduled to return to court on Sept. 17 when he was taken back into custody.
Charge moved to alternative measures
Richard Evan Stockford, 30, of Waterville, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 27 for plea on a threat charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Stockford was charged with uttering threats against a local lawyer in connection with an incident on April 17, 2023. The matter was diverted to the alternative measures program. He has until Nov. 26 to complete the program requirements to have the charge withdrawn.
Stockford made several earlier court appearances regarding a fitness hearing for a 30-day mental health assessment. The court heard the assessment could not be completed in the community as ordered.
Stockford was not in custody, so the court could not make an order to attend the Restigouche hospital.
Assault charge using bow and arrow
Takoda Christian, 18, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Aug. 27 to answer an assault charge. He returns to court for plea on Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m.
Christian was charged by RCMP with assault with a weapon (a bow and arrow) in connection with a recent incident involving another man in the community.
Jacksontown woman has new charges
Bonnie Noel, 55, of Jacksontown, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 27 to answer new charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Noel was charged with assault, breaching an undertaking, and breaching a peace bond for an incident on Aug. 6. She told the court the charges stemmed from a “nasty divorce,” and she had legal counsel.
Noel also appeared in provincial court on July 9 for monitoring about her trial on other charges laid by RCMP.
Noel appeared in provincial court on March 12 and pleaded not guilty. Her trial date was set for Oct. 28 at 1:30 p.m. She was charged with assault on a male victim and resisting arrest, stemming from an incident on Jan. 19 near North Lake.
Noel was also charged with breach of an undertaking (no contact) on Feb. 18 at Canterbury, breach of an undertaking (no contact) and violation of curfew on April 1 at North Lake, and breach of an undertaking (no contact) on Jan. 21 at North Lake.
She pleaded not guilty, and more trial dates were set for March 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. and June 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Returning for plea on new charge
Mitchell LaFrance of Perth-Andover appeared in provincial court on Aug. 27 to answer an assault charge laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m.
LaFrance was charged with assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim stemming from an incident on July 19 at Carlingford.
He also appeared in provincial court in December on several other charges laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged him with breaching an undertaking by failing to comply with a no-contact order in connection with an incident involving a female victim on Oct. 2, 2023, at East Brighton. He was also charged with uttering threats and criminal harassment for incidents between Aug. 28 and Sept. 25, 2023, involving the same complainant.
Arrest warrant issued for Neqotkuk man
The court issued an arrest warrant for Calvin Joseph Nicholas, 53, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), after he failed to appear in provincial court to answer charges on Aug. 27.
Nicholas was charged by RCMP with possession of methamphetamine, possession of hydromorphone, and driving while prohibited following a recent incident at Neqotkuk.
Trial set for Clearview man
Kyle Laurie Williams, 35, of Clearview, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 27 for monitoring about his trial. The court heard the trial will proceed with court appointed counsel for cross-examination.
Williams is scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to one charge laid by RCMP.
He was charged with transmitting intimate images without consent concerning an incident on June 4, 2023, at Centreville. Williams entered his not-guilty plea during a court appearance on Jan. 9.
Released on undertaking
Travis Sappier of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on Aug. 27 to answer an indictable assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 24 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Sappier with aggravated assault by wounding another man in connection with an incident on May 19 at Neqotkuk. He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
One charge withdrawn
Gary Frederick Kilcollins, 48, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 27 when the crown withdrew one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Kilcollins appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 6 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged with breaching his release order (curfew) for an incident on July 31 in Woodstock, but that charge was withdrawn.
He appeared in provincial court in custody on July 12 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. On July 16, he returned to court and pleaded not guilty to nine other charges. His trial dates were set for July 17-18, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Kilcollins was charged by Woodstock Police with break-and-enter at a dwelling house, theft of a TV, breach of probation for an incident between April 8 and April 16 in Woodstock, and driving while suspended on Dec. 7, 2023.
He was also charged with theft from the Woodstock Superstore on March 24 and theft from the Vie Thrift Boutique on April 13. A mischief charge was also laid for an incident on Jan. 2 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. The court heard he is also facing a charge in Edmundston.
Glassville man awaiting plea
Adam Luc Joseph Thibodeau of Glassville will appear in provincial court on Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Thibodeau was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of a stolen licence plate in connection with an incident on April 9 in Woodstock. He was scheduled for a plea on Aug. 27, but the matter was adjourned to a new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Upper Woodstock man to stand trial
Andrew Joseph Weeks, 40, of Upper Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on April 11, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Weeks was charged with uttering a forged document (an Alberta operator’s licence) in his name as if it was genuine concerning an incident on Dec. 11, 2023, in Woodstock. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Aug. 27.
Assault with steel-toed boots
Felicia (St. Peter) Demerchant, 45, of Glassville, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge.
Demerchant was charged by RCMP with assault with a weapon (steel-toed boots) involving a male victim in connection with an incident on May 30 near Glassville. She was scheduled for plea on Aug. 27 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
The court heard the charge may be moved to the alternative measures program.
Sentencing adjourned due to illness
Rhonda Perley, 59, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was scheduled for sentencing in provincial court on Aug. 27 when the matter was adjourned.
Perley pleaded guilty to trafficking in cocaine for an incident on Feb. 27, 2020, at Neqotkuk. The court heard she could not appear for sentencing due to serious health issues. A warrant is being held on file until her next court appearance on Oct. 1 at 1:30 p.m.
The crown said an adjournment was also needed to deal with a disclosure issue before sentencing.
A co-accused, Jeffrey Phillips, 60, of Neqotkuk, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for drug trafficking when he appeared in provincial court on April 3.
Phillips pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking for an incident on Feb. 28, 2020, at Neqotkuk. The crown withdrew two other charges. Phillips had a prior criminal record for drug possession.
RCMP charged them after undercover police officers purchased cocaine from them at their home in Neqotkuk. The crown said the officers dealt with Phillips to make the purchase, but Perley was inside the house and aware of what was happening. Perley also talked to the officers about the deal and possible future deals.
Bail hearing on Thursday
Trevor Gerald McDougall, 32, of Perth-Andover, was scheduled to appear in provincial court in custody on Aug. 23 for a bail hearing. The bail hearing was adjourned until Aug. 29 at 1:30 p.m.
Woodstock Police charged McDougall with assault involving a female victim. He was arrested on Aug. 22 and remanded.
Adjourned to new date
Brian Keith Reynolds, 45, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Aug. 27 to answer several charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Reynolds appeared in provincial court in custody on July 25 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
RCMP charged him with uttering threats against a female victim, breach of probation, and driving while suspended, stemming from an incident on Oct. 8, 2023, in Bloomfield. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and returns to court on Sept. 17 to set a trial date.
On Aug. 27, Reynolds was also charged with two counts of resisting arrest on Nov. 1, 2023, and Nov. 27, 2023, at Wotstak. No plea has yet been entered.
Trial dates set for Crain
Trevor Lee Crain, 49, of Killoween, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 27 and pleaded not guilty to several charges laid by RCMP.
Crain was charged by RCMP with possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), resisting arrest, and breach of a release order in connection with an incident on July 1 at Killoween. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for Jan. 31, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
He was also charged with breaking into a residence and committing sexual assault for another incident between May 1 and May 23, 2023, at Moose Mountain. He returns to court for plea on that charge on Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
He also faces a charge of possessing stolen property for a separate incident on May 5. He pleaded not guilty and a trial date was set for Jan. 31, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Crain was scheduled to appear for trial on July 11 after pleading not guilty to a series of other charges. A new trial date was set for Dec. 27 at 9:30 a.m.
Crain was charged by RCMP with break-and-enter at a dwelling house and breaching an undertaking on June 15, 2023, at Moose Mountain, and committing an assault involving a female victim on June 11, 2023, at Killoween.
Crain appeared in court in custody by video on Aug. 15 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Jointly charged in violent kidnapping
Four men charged in relation to an alleged kidnapping with violence at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on Aug. 27 to set a date for a joinder hearing. They return to court for the hearing on Oct. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
Preston Sockabasin, 27, Adam Perley, 33, and Jacob Perley, 34, of Neqotkuk, await plea on multiple charges. Sockabasin was released with an ankle bracelet, while the Perley men remain in custody.
They are jointly charged by RCMP with forcible confinement by choking and suffocation, unlawful confinement, administering a noxious substance, using a handgun to kidnap a female victim, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, assault causing bodily harm, and extortion with violence to obtain $10,000, concerning an attack on a woman in the community in April.
Troy Pelkey, 56, of Tilley, pleaded not guilty in June to charges related to the alleged kidnapping. His three-day trial was set for Sept. 11-13 at 9:30 a.m. Pelkey was denied bail in May but is seeking an appeal of his detention at the Court of King’s Bench on Sept. 5.
At their court appearance on Oct. 11, the joinder hearing will address an application from the crown to jointly charge Pelkey with the same offences as Adam Perley, Jacob Perley and Sockabasin. Pelkey also faces two other charges of pointing a firearm at another person and possession of a firearm without a licence.
After the crown’s application is heard, a new trial date will be set for the four men.
On Aug. 27, Pelkey was also charged by RCMP with assault by choking, assault causing bodily harm to a female victim, and uttering threats for unrelated incidents between April 1, 2023, and Nov. 1, 2023, at Tilley. His bail hearing on those charges will be held on Aug. 29 at 9:30 a.m.
There are three more co-accused charged in the alleged kidnapping. Sheena Sappier, 36, Keagan Paul, 32, and Ashley Paul, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Aug. 9 jointly charged in relation to the same alleged kidnapping.
All three accused pleaded not guilty to a series of charges, and their five-day trial was scheduled for June 23-25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. and July 28-29, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Ashley Paul, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody for sentencing on Aug. 23 after pleading guilty to several separate charges laid by RCMP. She was handed 30 days in jail or time served and 12 months of probation.
Paul was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle. She will be residing at a residence in Carlingford until her trial.
Sheena Sappier and Ashley Paul were each charged with kidnapping a female victim, unlawful confinement, attempting to obstruct justice by disposing of evidence, and theft of a motor vehicle.
Keagan Paul was charged with unlawful confinement, using a handgun to kidnap a female victim and being an occupant of a vehicle, knowing it carried a firearm.
Jacob Perley was also charged with pointing a firearm at a female victim, possession of a restricted weapon (a handgun), and obstructing a police officer.
He was also charged with breaching a conditional sentence order (house arrest). On June 3, he appeared in court in custody by video and was remanded to complete the rest of his sentence (317 days) behind bars.
On June 18, Jacob Perley was also ordered to serve another 27 days in jail for defaulting on a $1,200 fine for suspended driving. He will also stand trial in January on fraud charges.
Preston Sockabasin is also facing a charge of possession of a firearm without a licence, and charges of dangerous driving and flight from police for a separate incident on May 7 at Neqotkuk.
Keagan Paul and Preston Sockabasin appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 6 for their bail hearings.
They were released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to their ankles. They must also follow a curfew and undergo a 90-day drug rehabilitation program in their community.
Both men were ordered to abstain from alcohol and drugs, and they were prohibited from possessing firearms. Paul and Sockabasin were also ordered to have no contact with the victim or any of the five others charged in the crime.
Sheena Sappier appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 31 for her bail hearing and was released with conditions, including a curfew and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle. She must also enter a drug rehab program in her community.
On Aug. 9, the court heard Sappier was being charged with breaching her curfew on July 27. She returns to court for plea on that matter on Aug. 30 at 9:30 a.m.
