Guns seized at River De Chute
A Clearview man appeared in provincial court on Aug. 18 to answer six charges related to the alleged smuggling of guns and ammunition at River de Chute.
Gaylon Ross Smith, 57, was charged under the Customs Act by the Canada Border Services Agency with four counts of smuggling semi-automatic handguns and 12 overcapacity magazines, and one count of making false statements to border officials concerning a search and seizure on July 17. He returns to court for plea on Sept. 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Sentencing adjourned
Brandon Chappell, 28, of Plaster Rock, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Nov. 25 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on one charge laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 18 but was adjourned after Chappell told the court he would be working in Nova Scotia until later this fall.
Chappell appeared in provincial court in January while in custody and was released on conditions. He was charged with pointing a firearm at another person, uttering threats, possession of several firearms without a licence, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace in connection with an incident on June 15, 2024, at Plaster Rock.
He pleaded guilty to the threat charge, and the Crown withdrew the remaining charges.
Trial in October
Ronald David Whitfeld, 29, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Aug. 18 and pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges laid against him by Woodstock Police. His trial dates were set for Oct. 28-29 at 9:30 a.m. A pre-trial conference was also booked for Sept. 17 at 1:30 p.m.
Whitfeld appeared in court in custody on Aug. 4 and later waived bail. He pleaded not guilty to uttering threats on Aug. 7 in Woodstock; possession of methamphetamine on June 2 in Woodstock; breaching a no-contact order between June 8 and Aug. 2 in Woodstock; unlawful confinement, assaulting a female victim, uttering threats, and assault by choking on Aug. 2; and two counts of assaulting the same woman on July 21 and July 24 in Woodstock.
Whitfeld also pleaded not guilty to uttering threats and assault with a weapon (a lighter) involving a female victim on April 7 in Woodstock; two counts of possession of a firearm without a licence, pointing a firearm (a pump-action shotgun), possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, carelessly carrying a firearm, and improper storage of a firearm on April 8 in Woodstock; and assault on a female victim on April 10 in Woodstock.
Whitfeld appeared in provincial court via video in custody on June 8 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions following his arrest during a police operation on Elm Street in Woodstock on June 2.
He pleaded not guilty to possession of a firearm without a licence, pointing a firearm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and carelessly carrying a firearm.
Woodstock Police laid the charges after executing a search warrant at a residence on Elm Street 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.
Remanded until trial
Trevor Lee Crain, 50, of Killoween, will appear in provincial court in custody via video on Aug. 31 at 1:30 p.m. for plea on a charge of failing to appear in court for his trial.
Crain appeared in provincial court in custody via video on July 13 after being arrested on a warrant. He was denied bail and remanded to jail to await his new trial date on Oct. 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Crain pleaded not guilty to breaking into a residence and committing sexual assault on a female victim for an incident between May 1, 2023, and May 23, 2023, at Moose Mountain. The court heard a resolution may be sought with the Crown.
He is also awaiting sentencing on several other charges laid by the RCMP. The sentencing was adjourned until Aug. 31 at 1:30 p.m.
Crain spent five months in remand before being released from custody in August 2025 to await sentencing after changing his plea.
He pleaded guilty to one count of breaching his release order (house arrest) in connection with three incidents between Jan. 30 and Feb. 7 at Beechwood.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles) and breach of a release order in connection with an incident on July 1, 2024, at Killoween. The Crown withdrew another charge of resisting arrest.
Crain also pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen dirt bike on May 25, 2024, and guilty to breaching his release order by failing to appear in court on July 11, 2023.
He pleaded guilty to unlawful entry 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.
Alleged escape from rehab
Mason Darren Bustard, 19, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Aug. 18 after being arrested on multiple charges related to an alleged escape from a rehab facility in Moncton.
Woodstock Police charged Bustard with being at large on a release order, breach of a no-contact order, possession of a weapon (a butcher knife) for the purpose of committing an offence, unlawful entry at a dwelling house, and threatening a person with a knife, following an incident on Aug. 10 in Woodstock. He was denied bail on Aug. 13 and will return to court in custody for plea on Sept. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Bustard had another bail hearing on July 15 and was released with strict conditions to a rehab facility in Moncton. A warrant was held on file until his next scheduled appearance, when he was rearrested.
Bustard appeared in provincial court in custody via video on July 13 to answer 16 more charges laid by Woodstock Police. He will enter a plea on Sept. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
The charges against Bustard include theft of tools, possession of stolen tools, prowling at night on Cambridge Street, five counts of attempting to steal from a vehicle, two counts of mischief causing property damage to the key and ignition of two vehicles, five counts of theft, and possession of stolen property. All the alleged incidents took place on April 7-8 in Woodstock.
At an earlier court appearance, Bustard was also charged with possession of stolen property, possession of break-in tools and breach of probation in connection with a rash of vehicle break-ins on April 7-8 in the Elizabeth Street, Creighton Street and Rose Court areas. He was also charged with theft of a motor vehicle from the Legacy Ford dealership in Woodstock on April 30.
Bustard was also charged with flight from police and mischief causing property damage to a lawn at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation); breach of probation, possession of a stolen truck, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (a knife), and breaching a release order in Woodstock; two counts of breaching his release order and mischief causing property damage to his ankle bracelet in Bloomfield; and flight from police and theft of fuel in Florenceville-Bristol. All the incidents are alleged to have occurred on April 30.
Guilty of drug trafficking
Vinal Todd Hatto, 40, of Pokiok, will appear in provincial court for sentencing on Nov. 26 at 9:30 a.m. after changing his plea to guilty on seven drug trafficking charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Hatto pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, fentanyl, oxycontin, hydromorphone, and methylphenidate, all for the purpose of trafficking, on May 28, 2025, in Lower Woodstock.
Crown Prosecutor Derek Weaver told the court the RCMP spotted Hatto driving a motorcycle on Route 165 near Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). He had a backpack with him and refused to stop for police, heading down a trail on Beardsley Road where the motorcycle tipped over. He fled on foot with the backpack and was captured by police in a nearby field. The backpack contained a quantity of various drugs, $583 in cash, cell phones and drug paraphernalia.
Hatto also appeared in provincial court on July 21 to answer two other charges related to his required attendance at a Moncton rehab facility. He was charged with two counts of breaching his probation for incidents in Woodstock and Moncton between Sept. 6-11, 2025, and in Moncton between Sept. 4, 2025, and June 8, 2026. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Hatto also appeared in provincial court on May 12 for a monitoring hearing to confirm his trial dates on several other charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Hatto was charged with arson, dangerous driving, two counts of breaching a release order and driving while prohibited concerning an incident on Sept. 5, 2025, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for Nov. 30 at 9:30 a.m.
He is also facing other charges of obstructing Woodstock Police and possession of stolen inspection stickers in connection with an incident on May 16, 2025. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Nov. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Awaiting plea
Tanna Wright, 29, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 1 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea on several charges. She was scheduled to appear on Aug. 18 when the matter was adjourned at the request of her defence counsel.
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.
Trial dates scheduled
Marshall Turner, 25, of Beaconsfield, will appear for trial in provincial court on Aug. 13, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to several charges laid by the RCMP. A monitoring date was also set for June 1, 2027, at 1:30 p.m.
Turner appeared in provincial court in custody on May 15 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. His lawyer entered his not-guilty plea on his behalf on Aug. 18.
He was charged with flight from police and breach of probation on May 14 in Wilmot; two counts of breach of a release order and breach of probation on May 7 in Wilmot; and breach of a release order and breach of probation on April 8 in Wilmot.
He also appeared in provincial court on March 24 and pleaded not guilty to several other charges laid against him by the 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.
Facing sex charges
Dustin Coté, 22, of Richibucto Road, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 21 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on four charges laid by local police.
Coté was charged with sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, and indecent exposure for an incident on Jan. 1, 2024. He was also charged with breaching an undertaking by failing to appear in court in Woodstock on April 28.
He appeared in court in custody via video on Aug. 18 after being arrested in Fredericton on other charges to await a bail hearing.
Pembroke man changes plea
Anthony Veysey, 52, of Pembroke, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 17 and changed his plea to guilty on two firearm charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was booked for Dec. 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Veysey appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 24, 2025, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
RCMP charged him with unauthorized possession of a loaded firearm, careless use of a firearm, and possession of a firearm for a dangerous purpose, following an incident in Pembroke on April 19, 2025. One of the charges was withdrawn by the Crown.
Alleged assault in Woodstock
Steven Derek Trecartin, 47, of East Brighton, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on four charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Trecartin appeared in provincial court in custody on July 23 after being arrested for an alleged assault in Woodstock. He was scheduled to enter a plea on Aug. 18 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Woodstock Police charged Trecartin with assault by choking, two counts of uttering threats and committing mischief in connection with an incident in Woodstock. He was released from custody with conditions.
Warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Kayla Dawn Tibbits, 33, of Woodstock, after she failed to appear for her trial in provincial court on Aug. 14.
Tibbits pleaded not guilty to 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. Woodstock Police laid the charges.
Newbridge man awaits sentencing
Bernard Murray Turner, 38, of Newbridge, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Aug. 18 after changing his plea to guilty on charges laid by Woodstock Police. His sentencing was adjourned until Oct. 8 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his lawyer.
Turner pleaded guilty to fraud under $5,000 and possession of stolen property (a cheque) for an incident on Aug. 3, 2023, in Woodstock. The Crown withdrew another charge of forgery.
At a separate court appearance, Turner also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm without a licence (a shotgun) for another incident on Nov. 5, 2024, at Carlow. Conservation officers laid the charge.
Turner was also charged by Woodstock Police with breaching a release order (no-contact), uttering threats, assault, and dangerous driving concerning an incident on June 4, 2025, in Woodstock. His trial dates were set for Oct. 5 at 9:30 a.m. and Oct. 9 at 9:30 a.m.
He also pleaded not guilty to a charge of flight from police stemming from an incident on Feb. 16, 2024, and a trial date was set for Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m.
Trial set on several charges
Brandon Travis Hamilton, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 18 for a monitoring hearing about his trial after pleading not guilty to several charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was booked for Aug. 19, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Hamilton appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 25 and was released with conditions. He was charged with possession of two stolen snowmobiles, dangerous driving, fleeing police, driving while suspended, possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, in connection with an incident on Feb. 24 in Florenceville-Bristol.
At an earlier court appearance, Hamilton also pleaded not guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle and two counts of driving while suspended on June 9, 2025, in Woodstock. His trial on the stolen property charge was set for June 9, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. Another trial for the two alleged driving offences was set for Feb. 22, 2027, at 1:30 p.m.
Trial booked for Centreville man
Samuel Page, 61, of Centreville, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 18 and pleaded not guilty to several charges by the RCMP. His trial was scheduled for July 26, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Page appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on July 28 after being arrested on an outstanding warrant. He was released with conditions including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Page was charged with failing to appear in court on Jan. 26, 2024, in Woodstock, dangerous driving, driving while prohibited, impaired driving, and failing to stop at the scene of an accident on Oct. 12, 2023, in Hartland.
Not-guilty plea on two charges
Rocky Anthony Tucker, 50, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on June 16, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Tucker was charged with assault involving a female victim on May 8 and breach of an undertaking (no-contact) on May 13 in Woodstock. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Aug. 18.
Returning for plea
Kyle Glen Anderson, 41, of Hartland, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 8 at 9:30 a.m. for a plea on three charges laid by the RCMP.
Anderson was charged with breach of probation, assault on a male victim, and mischief causing property damage to a porch, following an incident on April 1, 2026, at Ashland. He appeared in provincial court on Aug. 18 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
During an earlier court appearance, Judge Rose Campbell reminded Anderson there was a $450 restitution order related to another separate matter still pending by Oct. 27.
Trial for assault
Jesse Grant, 33, of Green Road, will appear for trial in provincial court on June 9, 2027, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to an assault charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Grant was charged in connection with an incident on April 17 in Woodstock. He entered a not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Aug. 18.
Agreed to peace bond
Ronald Edward McCormick, 67, of Limestone, appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 14 and was released with conditions. He returned to court on Aug. 17 to answer several charges dating back several years.
McCormick was charged with two counts of failing to attend court, assault and breach of probation for incidents in Woodstock in 2012-2013. On Aug. 17, he agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond and pay any outstanding restitution. The peace bond will result in the charges being withdrawn.
Green Road incident
Krystal Davenport, 31, of Green Road, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 8 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge laid by the RCMP.
Davenport was charged with assault with a weapon (a board) following an incident on April 11 on Green Road. She appeared in provincial court on Aug. 18 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of her defence counsel.
Theft at Debec Store
Elizabeth Alice Davidson, 55, of Nackawic, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 18 to answer a new theft charge laid by RCMP.
Davidson was charged with theft from the Debec Store on May 16. She returns to court for plea on Sept. 29 at 0:30 a.m.
Davidson was charged by Woodstock Police with breach of probation and mischief causing property damage on May 26, 2025, at the Valley Food Bank on Houlton Road. She pleaded not guilty and is awaiting a trial date.
East Brighton man charged
William Perley Trecartin, 57, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 18 to answer a theft charge laid by RCMP.
Trecartin was charged with theft from the Debec Store on May 16. The matter was moved to the alternative measures program for resolution. Trecartin has until Nov. 17 at 9:30 a.m. to complete the program requirements to have the charge withdrawn.
He also appeared in provincial court on Aug. 4 and pleaded not guilty to two other charges laid by the Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for Aug. 20, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Trecartin was charged with impaired driving and driving while suspended following an incident on Feb. 28 in Woodstock. A monitoring hearing was booked for Feb. 2, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he has counsel to proceed to trial.
Plea on three charges
Madison Anderson, 20, of Fredericton, formerly of Plaster Rock, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 14 at 1:30 p.m. to answer charges laid by Woodstock Police. She was scheduled for plea on Aug. 18 when the matter was adjourned.
Anderson was charged with breaching a release order, theft from the Walmart on Feb. 10, and mischief causing property damage to a vehicle on Nov. 12, 2025, in Woodstock. A warrant was also issued for two other co-accused.
At an earlier court appearance, she was charged with two counts of theft: one on Nov. 24, 2025, at the Petro Canada near Meductic, and one involving the theft of copper wire at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation) on the same date. She pleaded not guilty and a trial date was set for June 23, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Not guilty of theft
Gerald Douglas Sheaves of Woodstock appeared in provincial court on Aug. 18 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial was booked for Sept. 9-10, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Sheaves was charged with theft from the Woodstock Superstore between Dec. 5, 2025 and Jan. 7, 2026, and mischief causing property damage to a video security system on Jan. 7 at the Superstore. He was released on an undertaking to stay away from the store. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for June 16, 2027, at 1:30 p.m.
Facing sex charges
Lyle Tibbets, 53, of Florenceville-Bristol, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 8 at 9:30 a.m. for a plea on sex charges laid by the RCMP.
Tibbets was charged with touching a minor for a sexual purpose and invitation to sexual touching between June 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, at Mount Pleasant. He was also charged with sexual assault and touching a minor for a sexual purpose between June 30, 2024, and Nov. 7, 2025, at Mount Pleasant. He was scheduled for plea on Aug. 18 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Charges withdrawn
The Crown withdrew charges laid against Steven Dolk, 54, of Moncton, during provincial court on Aug. 18.
RCMP charged Dolk with uttering threats, assault and sexual assault in connection with an incident on June 28, 2021, at Limestone. He pleaded not guilty and elected to be tried by judge and jury at the Court of King’s Bench.
Facing two charges
Stephanie L. Hardy, 59, of Lake George, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 15 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges.
Hardy was charged with defrauding the federal government and fraudulent impersonation in connection with incidents in Woodstock between June 19, 2021, and Sept. 21, 2024, and between June 19, 2021, and May 1, 2025. She appeared in court on Aug. 18 when the matter was adjourned to allow her lawyer more time to review disclosure.
Monitoring hearing
Nicholas Demerchant, 49, of Beechwood, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 18 for a monitoring hearing about his trial on two assault charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was confirmed for Jan. 20, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Demerchant was charged with assault and assault with a weapon (a chair) concerning an incident on Aug. 14, 2025, in Beechwood. He pleaded not guilty.
