Johnville man sentenced for weapons, fleeing police
Brandon Schriver, 27, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 3 and was sentenced to 630 days in jail, minus time served, after changing his plea to guilty on a series of charges laid by RCMP.
Schriver appeared in court in custody on Feb. 29 for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail. He has 201 days left to serve his sentence and will be placed on 12 months of probation after his release.
Judge Pierre Gionet also ordered Schriver to register with the federal DNA database and imposed a lifetime ban on weapons and firearms as well as a 17-month driving prohibition. The accused must also seek counselling and treatment for addiction.
Schriver pleaded guilty to seven charges, including possession of prohibited weapons (brass knuckles and three knives), assaulting a police officer with a gun (a vehicle), flight from police, dangerous driving, driving while prohibited, possession of a stolen vehicle, and breach of probation in connection with an incident on Feb. 22 in Johnville. He had a lengthy prior criminal record.
Police arrested after receiving a report of two suspicious vehicles at a residence in Johnville. Upon arrival, police saw an individual jump into a vehicle, which then rammed the police car before fleeing at a high rate of speed. Police then followed the vehicle until it eventually came to a stop. The driver exited the vehicle but was quickly apprehended by police. No one was injured during the incident.
369 days in jail or time served
Ian Stewart Bishop, 41, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 3 and was sentenced to 369 days in jail or time served. He was also placed on 24 months or probation after his release.
Bishop was denied bail when appeared in court in custody by video on April 25. RCMP arrested him in connection with two break-ins, one at the local civic centre and another at a dwelling house in Perth-Andover.
Bishop pleaded guilty to unlawful entry to a dwelling house and theft of tools on March 30 and break and enter and theft of tools at the River Valley Civic Centre on April 1. He has a prior criminal record.
Judge Pierre Gionet ordered Bishop to pay $4,333 in restitution for the stolen tools from the civic centre. He was caught on video and arrested at the scene. He must also register with the federal DNA database and seek counselling for addiction.
Fined for hitting pedestrian and dog
Todd Foote, 54, of Tilley, was fined $600 and ordered to donate $1,500 to the SPCA when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Dec. 3. He was also placed on three months of probation.
Foote pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention concerning an accident on Sept. 29, 2022, at Tilley. The crown withdrew a second charge of dangerous driving.
The court heard Foote was the driver of a vehicle that grazed a male pedestrian and then struck his dog as they were walking along the highway in South Tilley around 7 p.m. Both were tossed into the ditch, and the dog later died of its injuries. The pedestrian was wearing hunter orange at the time of the accident.
A witness reported Foote did not attempt to avoid the pedestrian or his dog as he drove up behind them on the highway. After the accident, Foote exited his vehicle to retrieve broken parts from his car and then left the scene. Foote was ordered to have no contact with the victim. He had no prior criminal record.
Charged with trafficking in cocaine
Jacob Richard Sewell, 34, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Jan. 7. 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea on drug trafficking charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Sewell was charged with two counts of trafficking in cocaine in connection with incidents on April 24 and May 2 in Woodstock. He appeared in court on Dec. 3 when the matter was adjourned for plea to the new date.
Accident leads to charges
Desmon Eugene Longstaff, 22, of Back Greenfield Road, will appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 10 and Oct. 15, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Longstaff was charged with impaired driving, causing bodily harm, refusing a breathalyzer demand and refusing to provide a blood sample following an accident on April 19 in Woodstock. The court heard there were three passengers in the vehicle. A pre-trial conference will be held on June 10, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Trial set on three sex charges
Joseph Michael Sercerchi, 73, of Bayfield, Ontario, will appear for trial at the Court of King’s Bench by judge alone on Sept. 8-12, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in relation to three sex charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Sercerchi appeared in provincial court on Oct. 25 for a preliminary hearing and was committed to stand trial. He was charged with three counts of indictable sexual assault involving a female minor in connection with incidents which occurred between Jan. 1, 1991, and Dec. 31, 1998, in Woodstock.
Plea pending on two charges
Mitchell LaFrance, 26, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 3 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
LaFrance was charged with breaching a no-contact order for an incident on Sept. 21 at Florenceville-Bristol. He appeared in court in custody by video on Sept. 25 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He also faces a charge of assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim stemming from an incident on July 19 at Carlingford.
LaFrance also appeared for trial in provincial court on Oct. 10 and changed his plea to guilty on two other charges laid by RCMP. He returns to court for sentencing on Jan. 21, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
LaFrance pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking by failing to comply with a no-contact order at East Brighton on Oct. 2, 2023.
He also pleaded guilty to criminal harassment for incidents between Aug. 28 and Sept. 25, 2023, in Lower Brighton, involving the same female complainant. The court heard he tried to contact the same female victim hundreds of times by phone, text message and on Facebook. The crown withdrew a threat charge.
Canterbury man awaits sentencing
Issiah Tobi Gabriel, 22, of Canterbury, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 3 and pleaded guilty to a mischief charge laid by RCMP. He returns to court for sentencing on Jan. 7, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Gabriel was charged with mischief causing property damage to a vehicle (a windshield) in connection with an incident on May 20 at Canterbury.
Sentencing for damaging ankle bracelet
Zachary Sarchfield, 30, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), will appear in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on Jan. 14, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading guilty to charges laid by RCMP.
Sarchfield was charged with breaching his release order by violating electronic monitoring and committing mischief causing property damage to an ankle bracelet for an incident on Sept. 6 at Mainstream. His sentencing was first set for Dec. 31 but was adjourned to the new date.
He will also enter his plea on Dec. 4 on other charges in Fredericton for possession of stolen property and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. He was remanded on those charges.
Sarchfield also has a trial set for June 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other separate charges.
Sarchfield was charged with attempting to breach his release order in July as well as two counts of unlawful confinement, assault, and possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence concerning another incident on Sept. 11, 2023, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty. He was also charged with failing to appear in court on Feb. 20 when an arrest warrant was issued.
Trial date set threat charges
Christopher Anthony Clark, 48, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on Sept. 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Clark was charged with two counts of uttering threats against two women, stemming from an incident on April 16 in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on Nov. 5. A monitoring date for his trial was set for April 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Neqotkuk woman charged
Alesha Rossi, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) will appear in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by RCMP.
Rossi was charged with assault involving a male victim, assault with a weapon (a chair), and uttering threats concerning an incident on Oct. 12 at Neqotkuk. She appeared in court on Dec. 3 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of her defence counsel. Rossi was released on an undertaking until her next court appearance.
Bairdsville man pleads not guilty
Jayson Lee O’Hagan, 21, of Bairdsville, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 3 and pleaded not guilty to four charges laid by RCMP. His trial dates were set for Oct. 1 and Oct. 8, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
O’Hagan was charged with dangerous driving and breaching a release order on Sept. 15 near Bairdsville, as well as possessing a stolen licence plate and breaching a release order on Sept. 26 in Perth-Andover. The conditions of his release order prohibited O’Hagan from driving.
Pair jointly charged with offence
Avory Saige Vatali, 22, and Alexander Timothy Gordon Jansen, 22, both of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to answer a charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Vatali and Jansen were jointly charged with failing to provide the necessities of life to another person concerning a recent incident in Woodstock. They appeared in court on Dec. 3 when the matter was set over for plea to the new date at the request of their defence counsel.
Plea delayed, accused in rehab
Douglas Thomas Defazio, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Dec. 3 from a rehab facility in Moncton. He was scheduled to enter a plea on several charges, but the matter was adjourned until Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Defazio was released with conditions following a bail hearing on Aug. 22 and was ordered to enter rehab. He was arrested by Woodstock Police shortly after a stolen boat crashed on the rocks of the Meduxnekeag River on July 10, where the vessel was abandoned and the suspect swam to shore.
Defazio faces two counts of break and entering a dwelling house, mischief causing property damage, and breach of probation in connection with break-ins at two different residences on Grant Street and Houlton Street on July 10. More pending charges include possession of stolen property, theft and breach of recognizance. The crown withdrew another separate charge of uttering threats.
In custody awaiting trial
Brandon Levesque, 26, of Gordonsville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 3 and pleaded not guilty to all charges laid by RCMP. His trial dates were set for March 7 and March 21, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Levesque remains in custody. He appeared in court in custody on Nov. 12 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.
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 in Gordonsville.
RCMP also charged him with breaking into a dwelling house and mischief causing property damage to a door on July 30 in Plaster Rock and assault with a weapon (a rock) involving a female victim on July 28 in Plaster Rock.
Centreville woman charged
Amber Dawn Shaw, 35, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to answer three charges laid by RCMP.
Shaw was charged with obstructing police, fraudulent impersonation and breach of probation following an incident on June 22 in Upper Woodstock. She appeared in court on Dec. 3 when the matter was adjourned to allow her more time to secure legal counsel.
Neqotkuk man to stand trial
Calvin Joseph Nicholas, 53, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 8, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to drug charges laid by RCMP.
RCMP charged Nicholas with driving while impaired by drugs, possession of methamphetamine, possession of hydromorphone, and driving while prohibited following an incident at Neqotkuk. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 9 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear and was released with conditions. On Dec. 3, he entered his not-guilty plea.
Returning for plea
Jordan Ronald Broad, 29, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 3 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Broad appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Nov. 12 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
RCMP charged him with breach of probation and breach of an undertaking. He was ordered to have no firearms in his possession as part of his release and must not have any contact with the female complainant.
Plea pending on arson charge
Benjamin Bolster, 19, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 3 to answer an arson charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Bolster appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 12 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him in connection with a fire in Perth-Andover. He was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court.
Senior pleads not guilty
Arthur Thibodeau of Lower Brighton appeared in provincial court on Dec. 3 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. His trial was set for Sept. 22, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Thibodeau was charged with uttering threats and assault with a golf club concerning an incident on July 21 at Lower Brighton. He was released on an undertaking to have no contact with the complainant.
Wilmot man facing three charges
Ronald DeLong, 38, of Wilmot, will appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP.
DeLong was charged with two counts of possession of a stolen motorcycle and possession of ammunition while prohibited following an incident on Aug. 7 at Wilmot. A monitoring date for his trial was set for April 8, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Moved to alternative measures
Aaron Hughes, 28, of Bairdsville, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 3 at 9:30 a.m. to answer a shoplifting charge. The matter was moved to the alternative measures program with the consent of the crown.
RCMP charged Hughes with theft from a grocery store in Perth-Andover on June 25. He has until March 4, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., to complete the program requirements to have the charge withdrawn.
Neqotkuk man to stand trial
Jason Moulton of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) will appear in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to set a date for his trial on two charges laid by RCMP.
Moulton was charged with sexual assault and assault by choking in relation to an incident on Oct. 22, 2023, at Neqotkuk. His defence counsel entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf at a court appearance on Dec. 3. The court heard DNA evidence may be presented as part of the crown’s case at trial.
Assault charge diverted
Michelle Perley of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on Dec. 3 to face an assault charge laid by RCMP. The matter was moved to the alternative measures program with the consent of the crown.
Perley was charged with assaulting a man in the community on July 7. She was released on an undertaking to have no contact with the complainant. Perley has until March 4, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to complete the requirements of the program in order to have the charge withdrawn.
New threat charge laid
Hunter Lee-Hamilton, 22, of Lower Brighton, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 3 to answer a threat charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Lee-Hamilton was charged by RCMP with uttering threats against another man in connection with an incident on April 10 at Mainstream.
He will also appear for trial in provincial court on July 11, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two other charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Lee-Hamilton was charged with committing mischief, causing property damage to a vehicle, and breach of probation concerning an incident on March 3 in Woodstock. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Sept. 24.
Sisson Ridge man facing three charges
Stephen Bowmaster, 24, of Sisson Ridge, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 3 to answer three charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Bowmaster was charged with fraud, uttering a forged document (a $1,700 cheque), and possession of stolen property (cheques) concerning an incident on Oct. 10, 2023, near Perth-Andover.
Bustard to stand trial
Mason Bustard, 18, of Woodstock, appeared in court in custody by video on Dec. 3 for monitoring about his trial. He pleaded not guilty to a series of charges laid by Woodstock Police.
His trial dates were set for Jan. 6, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., Jan. 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. and Feb. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. On Dec. 3, the court heard he had legal counsel to proceed to trial.
Bustard was denied bail on Aug. 8. He was charged with break and enter at a dwelling house and two counts of assault on July 27; breach of a release order, possession of prohibited weapons (a sawed-off shotgun and brass knuckles), possession of a firearm without a licence, and possession of a loaded prohibited firearm and ammunition without a licence on July 28; and uttering threats and causing injury to an animal (a dog) by kicking it on July 24.
Police made their arrest after spotting a suspect on Houlton Street around noon on July 28. The individual fled on a bicycle into the woods and was pursued by officers on foot. During the chase, the suspect discarded various items, including a sawed-off shotgun, brass knuckles, and a mask, which were retrieved later by an RCMP police dog.
On July 17, Bustard appeared in court in custody on other separate charges and was released with conditions. He was scheduled to return to court for plea on Aug. 13 when he was rearrested.
Woodstock Police charged him with breaking into a garage on Houlton Street, wearing a mask during the commission of an offence, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (a knife), assault with a weapon, and criminal harassment.
Bustard was arrested after police received a report of an armed intruder who entered a yard on Houlton Street on the morning of July 16 and approached a woman while holding a knife. The man’s face was partially covered with a mask or scarf.
He instructed the woman to go inside her house. She immediately complied and locked the door behind her. The man then went inside her garage before eventually leaving the area.
Two charged in Perth-Andover incident
Dana Newell, 38, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 6 at 9:30 a.m. to answer several charges laid by RCMP.
Newell was charged with possession of a prohibited firearm (a sawed-off shotgun), careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a stolen ATV, and possession of a stolen BB gun concerning an incident on May 27 in Perth-Andover.
Michael McKee, 18, of Woodstock, was charged with possession of a prohibited firearm (a sawed-off shotgun) stemming from the same incident in Perth-Andover. He appeared in court on Dec. 3 and pleaded not guilty to the charge. His trial date was set for Oct. 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Greenfield man awaiting plea
Terrance Wright, 60, of Greenfield, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. He appeared in court on Dec. 3 when the matter was adjourned to the new date to allow him more time to seek legal counsel.
Wright was charged with breaching the conditions of his release by violating a no-contact order following an incident on June 20 in Woodstock. He told the court he had just learned of the charge just before he was scheduled to appear.
Two charges in driving incident
Olivia Annette Young, 32, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to answer two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Young was charged with flight from police and dangerous driving concerning an incident on Sept. 13 in Woodstock. She appeared in court on Dec. 3 when the matter was adjourned to allow her more time to seek legal counsel.
