Sentence pending for wrong lane driver
Logan Sanders, 25, of Bloomfield, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on Sept. 4 after pleading guilty to several charges laid against him by RCMP. The sentencing was adjourned until Sept. 20 at 9:30 a.m. to allow for the submission of victim impact statements.
Judge Sebastian Michaud noted the victim impact statements had not been filed with the court since Sanders’ last court appearance on July 30.
Sanders pleaded guilty to indictable dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident concerning an incident on April 26 near Meductic. He was arrested while attempting to cross the Woodstock/Houlton border.
The charges were laid following an accident when an oncoming car driving in the wrong lane forced a vehicle off the four-lane highway. A Plaster Rock woman and three youths were not injured when their vehicle left the highway and rolled over in the ditch after swerving to avoid the oncoming car.
The crown intends to enter a video of the accident into evidence at the sentencing hearing on Sept. 20.
Sanders also pleaded guilty to committing mischief by damaging a woodstove, walls, door and a table at a residence on Dec. 1-31, 2023, in Bloomfield; guilty to two counts of uttering threats on Sept. 1 in Bloomfield; and guilty to mischief by damaging doors and windows on Oct. 1-31, 2023, in Maple Ridge.
Another charge of assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a male victim on Sept. 1, 2023, in Bloomfield was withdrawn by the crown. Sanders was denied bail on May 30.
Denied bail and remanded
Trevor Gerald McDougall, 32, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 4 for a bail hearing after being arrested on new charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was denied bail and returns to court in custody for plea on Sept. 17 at 11 a.m.
McDougall was charged with breach of a release order on Aug. 31 in Woodstock, two counts of breaching an emergency intervention order on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, and breach of a no-contact order on Sept. 1.
McDougall appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 29 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was scheduled to return to court for plea on Sept. 17 when he was taken back into custody.
McDougall was charged by Woodstock Police with assault involving a female victim on July 26 and then uttering threats and assaulting the same woman on Aug. 21 at a residence in Woodstock. He has a dated prior criminal record.
Trial adjourned for Centreville man
Stacey Harry Broad, 56, of Centreville, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on Sept. 4 after pleading not guilty to assault and mischief charges laid by RCMP.
The trial was adjourned until Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel. He remains in custody.
Broad was charged with committing mischief causing property damage to a vehicle for an incident on Jan. 23 at Johnson Settlement. He pleaded not guilty.
Broad appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 23 and was denied bail. On May 9, he pleaded not guilty to multiple assault charges laid by RCMP.
Broad was charged with assault, assault by choking, sexual assault and unlawful confinement involving a female victim in connection with an incident in the County of York between April 3 and April 10.
He was released from custody with conditions but was rearrested on a charge of breaching his release order on April 15.
Quebec man in custody awaiting plea
A Quebec man remains in custody after a spike belt was used to stop a vehicle that was travelling in the wrong lane on the Trans Canada Highway and then fled from police near Woodstock during the early morning hours of Aug. 5.
Frederick Garneau Watson, 42, of Saint Liguori, was arrested by RCMP near Maliseet Fuels at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation).
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 3 to answer charges of dangerous driving, flight from police, assault and obstruction. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 25 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Police laid the charges after receiving a report of a vehicle travelling in the wrong lane on Highway 2 around 1:30 a.m. and then spotted it driving erratically in the parking lot at Maliseet Fuels. The vehicle attempted to flee the scene. Police deployed a tire deflation device to stop it. The driver exited the vehicle and was arrested at the scene. A loaded handgun was located in the vehicle subsequent to his arrest.
Fined $3,250 for impaired driving
Theresa Dorvil, 47, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 3 and pleaded guilty to an impaired driving charge. She was fined $3,250 and was prohibited from driving for one year.
RCMP charged Dorvil following an incident on May 6 near Woodstock. The court heard police received a report of an eastbound vehicle swerving on the Trans Canada Highway near the Connell Road exit around 7 p.m.
Police located the vehicle pulled over on the side of the highway with Dorvil asleep behind the wheel. She had a passenger with her. Her blood alcohol reading was over three times the legal limit. She had no prior criminal record.
Grafton man fined $2,600
Matthew Allan Dukeshire, 33, of Grafton, appeared for trial in provincial court on Sept. 4 and changed his plea to guilty on a charge of impaired driving. He was fined $2,600 and prohibited from driving for one year.
RCMP charged Dukeshire following an incident on May 9 in Lindsay. The court heard he was found drinking behind the wheel of a parked vehicle around 7:30 a.m. He had a bloody lip due to an altercation he tried to avoid with another man earlier that morning. His blood alcohol level was more than double the legal limit. He had no prior criminal record.
Sentencing set for Debec man
Brian Vrieze, 53, of Debec, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 3 and changed his plea to guilty on three charges. He returns to court for sentencing on Oct. 29 at 1:30 p.m.
Vrieze pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm without a license, a Savage 223 rifle, concerning a Nov. 18, 2021, incident at Limestone; guilty to failing to appear for trial on Nov. 6, 2023; and guilty to possession of a stolen ATV on July 27, 2023, in Woodstock.
Another charge of indictable possession of methamphetamine on April 24, 2021, was withdrawn by the crown.
Vrieze was arrested on two warrants for failing to appear in court to answer charges. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 14 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Tyler Vrieze, 29, of Debec, was also charged by Woodstock Police with possessing stolen property (an ATV). He pleaded not guilty on April 9; his trial date was set for April 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Trial set on two charges
Brock Price, 44, of Carlingford, will appear for trial in provincial court on May 1, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP.
Price was charged with uttering threats and criminal harassment in connection with an incident on Aug. 19, 2023, at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation). Defence Counsel James Crocco entered the not-guilty plea on behalf of his client during a court appearance on Sept. 3.
Warrant on file
Matthew Gregory Parker, 40, of Aroostook, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Sept. 3 to answer multiple charges laid by RCMP. He failed to attend court, and at the request of his defence counsel, a warrant will be held on file until his next court appearance on Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Parker was charged with assault involving a female victim, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, resisting arrest on June 30 at Florenceville-Bristol, and breaking into a dwelling house and three counts of breaching an undertaking for another incident on Aug. 11 at Florenceville-Bristol.
He appeared in court in custody on Aug. 9 and was released with conditions with an order to return to court for plea. The court heard he would be residing at a residence in Carlingford. He works outside the area during the week but returns on weekends and must follow a curfew.
Alleged armed intruder awaiting plea
Mason Bustard, 18, of Woodstock, appeared in court in custody by video on Sept. 3 for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 24 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
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 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 at 9:30 a.m. 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.
Sentencing set on two charges
Aaron Barclay Moulton, 39, of Neqotkuk, appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Sept. 3 after pleading guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Moulton was charged with assault, committing mischief causing property damage, possession of a prohibited weapon (a taser), and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace following an incident on April 23, 2023, at Neqotkuk.
He pleaded guilty to mischief for damaging the Tobique Youth Centre and guilty to possession of the taser. The crown withdrew the other weapon charge.
On Sept. 3, Moulton agreed to sign a peace bond in relation to the assault charge.
Carlingford woman returning for plea
Kortney Boyer, 32, of Carlingford, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 3 to answer an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Boyer with assaulting a female victim stemming from an incident on March 18 at Bairdsville. She was released on an undertaking until her next court appearance.
Facing fraud charge
Anita Albert, 51, of Plaster Rock, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 1 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a fraud charge.
RCMP charged Albert with defrauding the Timbertown Lounge during an incident on Sept. 11, 2022, in Plaster Rock. She made her first court appearance on Sept. 3 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Released on undertaking
Cindy Demerchant, 53, of Lower Kintore, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 1 at 9:30 a.m. to answer two charges related to a break-in at the local Tim Hortons.
Demerchant was charged by RCMP with break and enter and theft of food and money from Tim Hortons in Perth Andover on May 9. She made her first court appearance on Sept. 3 and was released on an undertaking until her next court date.
Beaconsfield man charged
Nathan Williams, 48, of Beaconsfield, will appear for trial in provincial court on Feb. 6, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to a threat charge.
RCMP charged Williams with uttering threats against another man on May 23. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Aug. 27.
Returning for plea
Paige Weaver, 32, of Weston Road, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to answer an impaired driving charge.
Woodstock Police charged Weaver in connection with an incident on May 11 in Woodstock. She made her first court appearance on Aug. 27, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Arthurette man to stand trial
Johnny Lee Bloodsworth, 39, of Arthurette, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 3 and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for May 12, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was also scheduled for Oct. 1 at 9:30 a.m.
He was charged with sexual assault, two counts of touching a minor for a sexual purpose, and uttering threats in connection with an incident between April 1, 2023 and Sept. 1, 2023, at Arthurette.
Bloodsworth also faces several firearm charges for a separate incident on June 14 at Arthurette, including possession of multiple shotguns and rifles without a licence, possession of a prohibited firearm with ready ammunition, and possession of several restricted firearms without a licence.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 25 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was ordered to follow a curfew and reside at a residence in Grand Falls.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Robert McFarlane, 39, of Florenceville-Bristol, after he failed to appear in provincial court to answer charges on Sept. 3.
McFarlane appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 27 and was released with conditions.
RCMP charged him with assaulting another man on April 4 at Florenceville-Bristol with breaking into a dwelling house, committing mischief causing property damage to a door, and breach of an undertaking on May 4 in Johnville. He was arrested on a warrant.
On Aug. 20, he appeared in provincial court to set a date for his trial after pleading not guilty. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 3, when he failed to appear.
As part of his release, McFarlane was ordered to follow a curfew, have no contact with the complainant and stay away from a residence in Johnville. He was also prohibited from the use of firearms.
Trial dates set for Perth-Andover man
Joseph Martin, 37, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 3 to answer charges laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty on all counts, and trial dates were set for Dec. 9 and Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Martin appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on July 8 and was remanded to jail. RCMP charged him with indictable assault for an incident on July 4 at Perth Andover. He was arrested and taken into custody on July 5.
RCMP also charged Martin with possessing a stolen ATV and breach of probation. He failed to appear in court to answer the charges on June 4, and a warrant was issued. Martin turned himself in at the courthouse on June 12 and was arrested by sheriffs. He was later released with conditions but was rearrested.
In custody on several charges
Matthew McGrath, 30, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 3 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The court heard he intends to plead not guilty on all counts, but the matter was adjourned until Sept. 17 at 1:30 p.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel. No trial date was set.
McGrath appeared in court in custody by video on Aug. 19 for a fitness hearing after a five-day mental health assessment. He was found fit to stand trial.
McGrath was charged by RCMP with assault involving a female victim, uttering threats, resisting arrest and breach of probation in connection with an incident on June 26 at Plaster Rock.
He is also facing charges of failing to appear in court in Edmundston on May 28 and mischief causing property damage to the Madawaska jail on May 11. He was denied bail on these charges.
Following his arrest in June, he was remanded to the Restigouche hospital for a mental health assessment until July 10.
Neqotkuk man scheduled for trial
Joshua Sisson, 37, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Sept. 3 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for March 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was also scheduled for Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he has legal counsel to proceed.
Sisson was charged with assault with a weapon (a bottle) involving a female victim, assault, and two counts of uttering threats in connection with an incident on April 8 at Neqotkuk. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Woodstock man facing two charges
Justin Shea of Woodstock will appear in provincial court on Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. He appeared in court on Sept. 3 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Shea was charged with mischief causing property damage and break, enter and theft at the East Coast Truck Wash for an incident on March 17 in Lower Woodstock.
Warrant issued for Arthurette man
The court issued an arrest warrant for Nicholas William Sutthery, 40, of Arthurette, after he failed to appear in provincial court for plea on Sept. 3.
Sutthery was charged by RCMP with possession of a stolen truck in connection with an incident between Jan. 1 and Jan. 11 at Carlingford. The court heard another new charge is also pending.
Trial date pending
Eric Vrieze, 47, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 3 to set a date for his trial. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Vrieze pleaded not guilty in July to three charges laid by RCMP. He was charged with assaulting police with a weapon (a knife), possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and resisting arrest concerning an incident on May 6 at Hartland. The matter was adjourned at that time to allow the accused to enter a rehab facility.
Remanded on multiple charges
Ryan Troy O’Donnell, 27, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 3 to face multiple charges. He returns to court in custody for plea on Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to answer two separate charges while trial dates were set on others.
O’Donnell was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court on June 25. The court heard he allegedly removed his ankle bracelet a few days after being released from jail. He waived his bail until later and was remanded on Aug. 21.
O’Donnell faces two charges of possession of stolen property (cheques) in Beechwood on Dec. 16, 2023, and mischief causing property damage on Feb. 15. RCMP laid the charges. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Jan. 27, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
On April 11, he was in custody by video to answer a sex charge laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty. He was charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident in Beechwood between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, 2021. On Sept. 3, a new trial date was set for Jan. 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
He returns to court for plea on Sept. 24 on two counts of breach of a release order on June 26 and June 17.
The court heard he was also facing other charges in Edmundston. O’Donnell has a prior criminal record.
Bail hearing adjourned
Brandon Levesque, 26, of Gordonsville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 3 for a bail hearing after being arrested on three charges. His bail hearing was adjourned until Sept. 5 at 11 a.m.
RCMP charged Levesque 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. He is scheduled for plea on those charges on Sept. 24 at 1:30 p.m.
Returning for plea
Hunter Lee-Hamilton, 22, of Lower Brighton, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to answer two 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 was scheduled for plea on Sept. 3 when the matter was adjourned at the request of his defence counsel.
Plea pending for Wilmot man
Mitchell Hillman, 36, of Wilmot, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 to answer two charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Hillman was charged with driving while prohibited on Feb. 12 in Woodstock and mischief causing property damage to a truck on Feb. 16 in Woodstock. He also appeared in provincial court on July 23 and pleaded not guilty to a charge related to a break-in at the tourist bureau at Richmond Corner. His trial date was set for June 26, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Michael Holt, 68, of Riverglade, also appeared in provincial court on July 23 to answer a charge stemming from the same break-in. He pleaded not guilty and his trial date was July 16, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
The pair was charged by RCMP with break, enter and theft in connection with an incident on Feb. 19.
Charged with leaving accident scene
Deidra Fowler, 50, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Sept. 3 for monitoring about her upcoming trial. The court heard a new date for her trial will be determined on Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Fowler was charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident concerning an incident on May 27, 2023, at Wotstak. On July 16, she confirmed she would be ready to proceed to trial.
Plaster Rock woman returning for plea
Makayla Marie Shaw, 26, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 3 to answer three charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Shaw appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 15 and was released with conditions. RCMP charged her with causing a disturbance, mischief, and breach of a peace bond for an incident on July 10 at Anderson Road.
Plea date rescheduled
Braxton Denny, 24, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 3 for plea on a breach charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Denny appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 17 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
He was arrested on June 12 and charged with breaching a release order by failing to abstain from drugs between June 6 and June 7 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court on Jan. 16 to answer other charges for different alleged events. He pleaded not guilty on all counts.
Denny was charged with possession of stolen property on July 23, 2023; flight from police on July 22, 2023; and two counts of failing to appear in court on Oct. 17 and Oct. 24, 2023. A trial date was set for Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
He was also charged with breaking into a dwelling house and committing mischief concerning an incident on Feb. 18, 2023, in Woodstock; committing mischief causing property damage and breach of an undertaking on Dec. 9, 2022, at Upper Woodstock; and two counts of assault and committing mischief causing property damage on Dec. 8, 2022, at Upper Woodstock. A trial date was set for Sept. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Trial adjourned on firearm charge
Jerry Inman, 68, of Kincardine, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 3 to set new dates for his trial on a firearms charge. His trial was rescheduled for Dec. 13 and Dec. 19 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Inman with intentionally discharging a firearm into or at a place knowing another person was present there in connection with an incident on April 27, 2023, in Kincardine. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Oct. 3, 2023.
He was scheduled for trial on July 31, but the matter was adjourned since Inman was dealing with serious health issues.
Trial postponed on firearm charges
Jerod Nowlan, 40, of Rosedale, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 3 to set a new date for his trial on firearm charges. The court heard the trial needed to be postponed due to a disclosure issue with the crown. Nowlan returns to court on Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m., when a new trial date will be set.
Nowlan was charged with possession of a firearm without a licence (a rifle), improper storage of a firearm, and possession of a firearm with the serial number altered, concerning an incident on July 27, 2023, at Rosedale. He pleaded not guilty and a trial date was set for Sept. 5-6 at 9:30 a.m.
Nowlan also went to trial in August on an assault charge. A full day of trial testimony was held on Aug. 8 before Chief Judge Brian C. McLean, while the defence began its case on Aug. 9. That trial is scheduled to continue on Sept. 26 at 9:30 a.m.
Nowlan was charged by RCMP with assault on a female minor in connection with an incident between April 1 and April 30, 2023, in Coldstream. He pleaded not guilty. During the trial, the alleged victim testified she was grabbed by the neck, choked by the accused, and then fell to the pavement.
Charge withdrawn
Marty Andrew Pangburn, 24, of Greenfield, appeared for trial in provincial court on Sept. 4 after pleading not guilty to one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Pangburn was charged with breach of probation by failing to report between Sept. 8, 2022, and Jan. 17, 2023, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew the charge, and the trial was cancelled.
