Hatto awaiting federal prison sentence on multiple charges
Vinal Todd Hatto, 38, of Woodstock, remains in custody to await a federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to multiple charges laid by Woodstock Police and Fredericton City Police.
Hatto appeared in court in custody on Oct. 31 for his sentencing hearing. Crown Prosecutor Bronwyn Mooney recommended he spend three and a half years in a federal penitentiary, minus time served. The crown also suggested Hatto register with the national DNA database and that he be prohibited from driving and the use of firearms.
Defence Counsel David Lutz requested a two-year prison sentence for his client. Lutz said Hatto has been in custody for 10 months, excluding the 90 days he spent in jail for other charges in Saint John.
“He’s not a violent criminal,” Lutz said. “He’s not an entrepreneurial criminal. He’s just reckless and a nuisance to the public. The worst thing he did was endanger the police and the public on the road.”
Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean reserved his decision on sentence until Nov. 30 at 1:30 p.m. The judge said a federal prison sentence was on the table for the accused, noting Hatto had a lengthy prior criminal record that spanned six pages.
Hatto pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, breach of probation, and possession of a handgun while prohibited concerning an incident on April 4, 2022, in Woodstock. The charges were laid after police stopped his vehicle during a roadside check.
Hatto also pleaded guilty to flight from police, dangerous driving, and breach of probation on May 11, 2022; guilty to breach of a release order on Aug. 9, 2022; guilty to breach of an undertaking, breaching curfew, and breach of probation on June 29, 2022; guilty to possession of stolen property (cheques) on June 30, 2022; guilty to breaching curfew on Aug. 4, 2022; and breaching curfew on Aug. 5, 2022.
Other charges of flight from police and assaulting a police officer on May 2, 2022, were withdrawn by the crown. Hatto was denied bail and remanded to jail following his bail hearing. He was arrested on a warrant after he failed to appear in provincial court and was taken into custody and charged with breach of a release order.
Hatto also pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting police with a weapon (a vehicle), resisting arrest, dangerous driving, driving while suspended and flight from police on Sept. 19, 2022, in Fredericton, and assaulting police with a weapon (a vehicle), driving while prohibited, and indictable possession of morphine pills and methamphetamine for another incident in Fredericton on Sept. 26, 2022.
Nine months in jail for Woodstock man
Jonathon Perry Bustard, 44, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 30 and was sentenced to nine months in jail, minus time served, after pleading guilty to three charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Bustard appeared in court in custody by video on Sept. 26 and pleaded guilty. He was charged with breaking into a dwelling house, indictable assault against another man, and breach of a peace bond concerning an incident on July 19 at a residence in Woodstock. He waived his bail at a court appearance on July 27.
During sentencing, Bustard sat quietly as the crown and defence made their submissions regarding the charges. Bustard responded quietly to the bench, confirming to Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean that he was guilty of the charges involving the incident described.
The court heard Bustard arrived at a Woodstock address on July 19 despite a peace bond enforcing no contact with the woman who lived there. He kicked in the front door of the dwelling and punched a male victim several times.
Bustard later turned himself in to Woodstock Police and fully acknowledged his actions. Judge McLean cited the cooperation of the accused following the incident, as well as his guilty plea. The crown and defence made a joint recommendation for an 11-month jail sentence. Bustard had a similar previous assault on his record from 10 years ago.
Judge McLean explained letters of support were offered to the court from Bustard’s mother and his employer. McLean read a portion of what he described as a “glowing review” from Bustard’s employer.
“In any event, that’s pretty high praise,” Judge McLean stated.
Bustard agreed to accept any help the court might impose. Despite being involved in two incidents of aggression two decades apart, McLean said Bustard did not have a criminal lifestyle. The judge described the home invasion and assault on July 19 as “serious in nature.” He noted the crime appeared to result from a “relationship gone badly.”
With time served, Bustard has four months left on his sentence. He was also placed on probation for two years and must register with the federal DNA database.
Burtt sentenced to 150 days in jail
Silas Robert Burtt, 23, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 31 and was sentenced to 150 days in jail, minus time served. Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean also placed him on 12 months of probation and ordered him to pay $2,000 in restitution for spray painting a stolen truck.
RCMP charged Burtt with possession of a stolen vehicle, breach of probation, and committing mischief causing property damage to a truck for an incident on Aug. 5 at Wilmot. He was also charged with possession of a stolen 2013 side-by-side and breach of a release order on Aug. 9 at Back Greenfield Road, and possession of another stolen truck and breach of probation for an incident on July 9 at East Brighton.
He appeared in custody on Sept. 29 and changed his plea to guilty to all charges, excluding the mischief charge. On Aug. 22, he appeared in provincial court in custody by video and waived his bail.
Burtt appeared in provincial court in custody on July 10 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was taken back into custody on Aug. 18 and remanded. The court heard he had a prior criminal record and committed his latest crimes while wearing an ankle bracelet.
Defence Counsel Lindsay Paul said Burtt was remorseful, blaming his actions on meth addiction. Paul said her client was a skilled worker but lost his job due to his criminal activity. The defence argued Burtt was a good prospect for rehabilitation and had been taking counselling during his incarceration. He has been in custody since August and must serve over another month in jail with time served.
Wakefield man arrested after vehicle search
Jeret Everett of Wakefield appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 31 for a decision on his bail hearing. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on Nov. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Everett was charged by RCMP with breach of an undertaking, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a prohibited weapon (a sawed-off shotgun), being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, and improper storage of a firearm concerning a police check of a vehicle on Oct. 27 in Florenceville-Bristol. He was held in custody until a bail hearing on Oct. 30.
The court heard bear spray and a machete were also found in the vehicle. Everett has a limited prior criminal record. He must follow a curfew, have no drugs or weapons in his possession, and report to the police weekly as part of his release.
Everett is also facing other charges in Fredericton in connection with a break and enter at a dwelling house in Hawkins Corner in February.
Fined $2,000 for impaired driving
Dallas Murray Pearson, 28, of Glassville, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 31 and was fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to an impaired driving charge. He also received a 12-month driving prohibition.
Woodstock Police charged Pearson following an incident on May 17 in Woodstock. The court heard the charge was laid after police received a report of a highly intoxicated driver pulling into a gas station on Broadway Street in Woodstock. His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit. Pearson had no prior criminal record.
Adjourned for plea on three sex charges
Ryan Coles, 33, of Drumheller, Alberta, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three sex charges laid by RCMP.
Coles was charged with touching for a sexual purpose, invitation to sexual touching and sexual assault in connection with an incident on Sept. 2, 2022, in Perth-Andover.
Defence Counsel T.J. Burke appeared in court on Coles’ behalf via teleconference on Oct. 24 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Released on undertaking until next appearance
Gabriel John Tomah, 21, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. He was released on an undertaking until his next court date.
Tomah was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats in connection with an incident on Oct. 1 at Neqotkuk. He made his first court appearance on Oct. 24, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Charged with impaired driving
Lisa Kinney, 54, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 21 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an impaired driving charge laid by RCMP.
Kinney was charged following an incident on June 25 near Woodstock First Nation. She made her first court appearance on Oct. 24, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Released from custody to await plea
Joshua Desroches, 19, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by RCMP.
Desroches was charged with breach of an undertaking by violating a no-contact order stemming from an incident on Sept. 25 near Woodstock. He was arrested and later released from custody with conditions pending an order to return to court on Oct. 24. The matter was then adjourned to the new date.
In custody awaiting plea
Ryan James Smith, 35, of Woodstock, formerly of Perth, will appear in provincial court in custody for plea on Nov. 16 at 9:30 a.m. He will also appear in court for a bail hearing on Nov. 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Smith was charged by RCMP with possession of a firearm while prohibited, possession of a stolen vehicle, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, obstructing police, carelessly transporting a firearm, and possession of a firearm without a licence, stemming from an incident on Sept. 30 in Hartland. He was also charged with possessing a stolen car, committing mischief and driving while suspended for another incident in Meductic.
Woodstock Police also charged him with trespassing on private property on Aug. 3 and Aug. 29 in Woodstock.
Florenceville-Bristol man facing assault charge
Troy Keenan, 50, of Florenceville-Bristol, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 21 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge. He appeared in court on Oct. 31 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
RCMP charged Keenan with assaulting another man while threatening to use a weapon (a knife) in connection with an incident on July 1 at Florenceville-Bristol.
Neqotkuk pair arrested and released
Sasha Perley, 28, and Michael Langlois-Martell, 33, both of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in court in custody on Oct. 31. Sheriffs arrested them on a warrant after showing up late for court. They were released with conditions and will return to court for plea on Nov. 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Perley was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle (a Toyota Tundra) for an incident on Aug. 4 near Tobique Narrows.
Langlois-Martell was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle (a Toyota Tundra), possession of a firearm without a licence (a pump action shotgun), storage of a firearm in a careless manner, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace concerning the same incident.
Trial set on charge of leaving accident scene
Deidra Fowler, 50, of Woodstock First Nation, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 31 and pleaded not guilty to one charge laid by RCMP. A date for her three-day trial was set for Sept. 11-13, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Fowler was charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident concerning an incident on May 27 at Woodstock First Nation. A monitoring date for her trial was also set for July 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.
Trial scheduled on two charges
Jacob Alexander Roy, 26, of Windsor, will appear for trial in provincial court on Aug. 19, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Roy appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 12 and was released with conditions. He told the court on Oct. 31 that he was taken back into custody and just released from jail.
RCMP charged Roy with assault involving a female victim and unlawful confinement concerning an incident on Sept. 11 in Woodstock. A monitoring date for his trial was set for Feb. 20 at 1:30 p.m.
In custody on multiple charges
Kristopher Joseph McConnell, 31, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 31 for plea on several charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
McConnell was charged with breach of a release order for an incident on July 15 in Hartland and possession of a stolen utility trailer on Aug. 22 in Greenfield. He also faces charges of criminal harassment and breach of probation on July 23 and breaching an emergency intervention order on June 7. He was also charged with possession of stolen property (an ATV) and breach of probation in connection with an incident on June 26 at Lansdowne.
McConnell appeared in provincial court in custody on June 27 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He failed to return to court for plea on July 25, and an arrest warrant was issued. He appeared in court on Aug. 23 for a bail hearing but waived his bail until a later date.
Plaster Rock man to stand trial
Shawn Sullivan, 38, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 31 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by RCMP. His two-day trial was set for Aug. 22-23, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date for his trial was set for July 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.
Sullivan appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 14 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
RCMP charged him with uttering threats, assault and assault by choking involving a female victim in connection with incidents between July 14 and Aug. 20 near Perth-Andover. He must report to the police weekly as part of his release.
Trial scheduled on 14 charges
Philip Sapper-Solomon, 30, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 31 and pleaded not guilty to 14 charges laid by RCMP. A trial date was set for Dec. 14-15 at 9:30 a.m.
Sappier-Solomon waived his bail until a later date. He was arrested in connection with an incident on Sept. 17 near Beechwood. He was charged with possession of a restricted weapon (a handgun) while prohibited; possession of ammunition while prohibited; possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence; two counts of possession of a restricted weapon without a licence; being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm; possession of a loaded, restricted firearm (a handgun); assault and assault by choking involving a female victim; assault with a weapon (a cell phone); two counts of uttering threats; committing mischief causing property damage to a phone and tires, and mischief causing damage to a police vehicle.
Plea delayed for Neqotkuk man
Gavin Schloemer, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Nov. 16 at 1:30 p.m. to answer a charge of failing to appear. The matter was scheduled for plea on Oct. 31 but was adjourned to the new date.
Schloemer was arrested on a warrant when he came to court on Aug. 29 for monitoring about his trial. He was held in jail for the day and then released with conditions. The warrant was issued for failing to appear in court in December.
Schloemer will also appear for trial in provincial court on Nov. 16 after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by RCMP. RCMP charged him with resisting arrest on June 21 at Neqotkuk, two counts of assaulting police on June 21 at Williamstown and breaking and entering at a dwelling house on Oct. 3, 2021, at Neqotkuk.
Sentencing set on trafficking charges
Rhonda Perley, 55, and Jeffrey Phillips, 56, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Oct. 30 to answer drug trafficking charges.
Perley pleaded guilty to trafficking in cocaine for an incident on Feb. 27, 2020, at Neqotkuk. She will be sentenced on March 12, 2024, and was released with conditions until her next court appearance.
Phillips pleaded guilty to trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking for another incident on Feb. 28, 2020, at Neqotkuk. He returns to court on Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Perley and Phillips were arrested on warrants in January and released with conditions following a bail hearing. They were both scheduled to be sentenced on the charges when they requested another hearing but failed to attend court on Aug. 29, 2021. Warrants were issued for their arrest.
The court heard 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.
In custody awaiting trial
Matthew McGrath, 30, of no fixed address, will appear for trial in provincial court in custody on Nov. 2 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. He appeared in court in custody by video on Oct. 30 for monitoring about his trial.
RCMP charged McGrath with assaulting a female victim and breach of probation concerning an incident at Plaster Rock. He was arrested on May 5 and later pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was denied bail in May and remanded to jail.
Decision reserved after trial
Arshdeep Singh Khasria, 24, of Bedell, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 1 at 1:30 p.m. for a verdict following his trial for sexual assault. He appeared in provincial court for the conclusion of his trial in July after pleading not guilty to the charge.
Khasria was charged by RCMP with sexual assault involving a female victim in connection with an incident on June 16, 2022, near Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty to the charge at a court appearance last fall. The trial involved a day and a half of testimony.
Greenfield woman fails to appear
A warrant is being held on file for Tanya Tribe, 43, of Greenfield, after she failed to appear in provincial court on Oct. 31 for monitoring about her trial.
Tribe is scheduled to appear for trial on Jan. 17, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP.
She was charged with two counts of criminal harassment in connection with incidents between Aug. 10 and Aug. 12, 2022, in Windsor, and on Sept. 12, 2022, in Florenceville-Bristol, and one count of uttering threats for another incident between Aug. 10 and Aug. 12, 2022, in Windsor.
Arrested and released with conditions
David Watson, 27, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 31 and was released with conditions. Sheriffs arrested him after showing up late for court for monitoring about his trial. He returns to court on Nov. 28 at 9:30 a.m. for further monitoring.
Watson was charged with mischief causing property damage concerning an incident on Oct. 16, 2022, at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation). He pleaded not guilty in May, and a trial date was set for March 8, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. Watson told the court on Tuesday he was still trying to secure legal counsel for his trial.
Returning for plea on two charges
Douglas Thomas Defazio, 35, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Defazio was charged with assault involving a female victim concerning an incident on Sept. 21 in Woodstock and theft from Kent Building Supplies on Oct. 25, 2022. He appeared in court on Oct. 31 when both matters were adjourned to the new date.
Trial set on sex charge
Matthew White, 41, of Upper Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 31 and pleaded not guilty to a sex charge laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Sept. 18, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
White was charged with invitation to sexual touching involving a female minor in connection with an incident on June 13 in Bloomfield. A monitoring date for his trial was also set for Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m.
Plea pending on breach charge
Lacy McClendon of Florenceville-Bristol appeared in provincial court on Oct. 31 to answer a breach charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until Nov. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
McClendon appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 29 and was released with conditions. RCMP charged her with breach of an undertaking by violating a no-contact order concerning an incident on Sept. 28 in Lindsay.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Shayne Cameron, 30, of Jacksonville, after he failed to appear in provincial court on Oct. 31 to answer a charge of possession of stolen property.
Cameron was charged in connection with an incident on April 11 in Woodstock. He also appeared in provincial court in September and pleaded not guilty to two other charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for July 4, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was also scheduled for April 2, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Cameron was charged with possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace and possession of a firearm while prohibited concerning an incident on Jan. 24 at Juniper. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Sept. 19.
Arrested and held for bail hearing
Christopher Elliott, 33, of Weaver, will appear in provincial court in custody on Nov. 2 at 9:30 a.m. for a bail hearing. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 30, when the date for his hearing was set.
Elliott was arrested on a warrant after he failed to appear for trial. He appeared in court in custody on Oct. 24 and was remanded.
Elliott was charged by RCMP with resisting arrest and possession of ammunition while prohibited for an incident on Oct. 23. He was also charged with failing to appear in court for his trial in Woodstock on Aug. 23.
Elliott pleaded not guilty to firearm charges on April 18, and his trial date was set. He was charged with possessing a prohibited weapon without a licence concerning an incident on November 4, 2020, at Gladwyn. He was also charged under the Fish and Wildlife Act with having a loaded firearm in a vehicle, possession of a firearm without a licence, and hunting without a license on Nov. 4, 2020.
Elliott and Amber Holt, 32, of Bluebell, are jointly charged by RCMP with possession of a firearm without a licence (.22 Magnum rifle) and careless use of a firearm for another incident on June 22, 2022, in Weaver. Elliott was also charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it in connection with the same incident in Weaver. Holt is currently in custody, awaiting sentencing on numerous charges.
Returning to court on several charges
Brady Melvin Crain, 27, of Wicklow, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m. for sentencing on charges laid by RCMP. He was scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 31 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Crain appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 6 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was arrested on a warrant on Aug. 28 for failing to appear for sentencing.
On Tuesday, the court heard Crain was no longer wearing his ankle bracelet, and there was a lengthy discussion between the crown and defence about whether an arrest warrant should be issued.
Crain was charged with assault on a female victim and breach of an emergency intervention order concerning incidents on April 29, 2021, and March 14, 2021, in Woodstock. RCMP also charged him with breach of a release order on Dec. 6, 2021, at Mount Pleasant. He pleaded guilty, and a sentencing date was set for July 27, but he failed to appear.
He appeared in provincial court on April 18 and pleaded not guilty to other charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Jan. 17, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. Crain was charged on April 4 with breaching his release order. He also appeared in provincial court on March 16 on charges of breach of an undertaking, committing mischief, and taking a vehicle without consent in connection with incidents on Aug. 29, 2022, and Oct. 28, 2022, at Perth-Andover.
(With files from Jim Dumville)
