Sentenced to six months, minus time served, in stalking case
Kyle Laurie Williams, 36, of Clearview, was sentenced to six months in jail, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court in custody on July 9. He changed his plea to guilty on charges related to harassing and stalking his former partner.
Judge Henrik Tonning also placed Williams on 12 months of probation and ordered him to seek counselling. He must refrain from the use of alcohol and drugs and have no contact with the female victim. Williams will have one month left in custody once his remand time is applied.
He pleaded guilty to breaching a release order (no-contact) and two counts of criminal harassment concerning incidents in Aroostook between Feb. 27 and March 29. The harassment charges involve texting a female victim and placing an electronic tracking system in her vehicle.
Williams also pleaded guilty to criminal harassment (60 text messages) and breaching a no-contact order between Jan. 27 and Feb. 1 in Aroostook. The crown withdrew another charge.
“It has to stop and it’s time to move on,” Judge Tonning told the accused. “You may not have intended any harm, but it’s time to get your feet on the ground and get back to work on the farm.”
Williams also pleaded guilty to transmitting intimate images without consent on June 4, 2023, at Centreville when a photo of the victim was posted on Facebook at 4 a.m. and then removed by the accused. The defence argued there was no evidence that anyone saw the image before it was deleted.
While deciding the sentence, Judge Tonning told the court Williams had displayed “seriously reprehensible behaviour” in harassing and stalking his former partner. However, the judge noted there was no physical violence involved in any of the incidents.
Williams also pleaded guilty to driving without a valid licence on Jan. 25 at Tobique Narrows. He was fined $272 for that offence.
He was denied bail when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 17 after being arrested in March for breaching his release order. He had a limited prior criminal record.
Sentencing decision pending
Jack Michael Pirie, 20, of Woodstock, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on July 10 after pleading guilty to multiple charges laid by Woodstock Police.
After hearing submissions from both the crown and defence counsel, Judge Henrik Tonning reserved his decision on sentence until July 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Pirie pleaded guilty to assault, assault by choking involving a female victim, and uttering threats in connection with an incident on May 1-2, 2024, in Woodstock.
He also pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, causing bodily harm, and resisting arrest on June 8, 2024, in Woodstock. Other charges of assaulting a police officer and assault with a weapon (scissors and a knife) involving a female victim were withdrawn by the crown.
Crown Prosecutor Sean Corscadden recommended Pirie serve nine to 18 months in jail and requested he be ordered to register with the federal DNA database.
Defence Counsel James Giacomantonio of Halifax asked for a conditional sentence order of house arrest for the accused. He also suggested that Pirie be placed on probation and serve 100 hours of community service work.
The defence argued Pirie’s drug addiction led to the charges, and there have been no further incidents since he went to rehab. He said Pirie sought counselling for his addiction and is now working full-time.
“He had a really bad month a year ago,” said Giaconmantonio. “He’s done everything he can to show the court he’s no danger.”
Judge Tonning agreed Pirie had taken positive steps to “get himself sorted out.” However, because of the violence involved in his crimes, the judge said “a jail sentence remains in the realm of possibility.”
“It’s not good,” Judge Tonning said about the evidence.
Pirie appeared in provincial court in custody on June 10, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. The court heard he entered a rehab facility in Moncton for three months. He has no prior criminal record.
Sentenced to 120 days, probation
Billy Joe Pelletier, 37, of Gladwyn, was sentenced to 120 days in jail when he appeared for sentencing in provincial court on July 9. He was found guilty after trial in April on a charge of impaired driving.
Judge Henrik Tonning also prohibited him from driving for three years and placed him on 12 months of probation. Pelletier must also seek counselling for alcohol addiction. The court heard he had three previous convictions for impaired driving on his record.
“If you can’t stop drinking, don’t get behind the wheel,” Tonning told the accused. “You simply cannot drink and drive.”
Pelletier was charged by RCMP with impaired driving in connection with an incident on Nov. 9, 2023, in Rowena. He had a prior criminal record.
90 days in jail on three charges
Mackenzie O’Keefe, 28, of Tobique Narrows, was sentenced to 90 days in jail when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 10 after pleading guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. He was also placed on 12 months of probation.
O’Keefe pleaded guilty to mischief causing property damage to a windshield on Oct. 26, 2023, at Tobique Narrows, and guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle and driving while suspended on Dec. 30, 2023, at Quaker Brook, Victoria County. He was fined $1,000 for the driving offence, but will do the time in lieu of the fine.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 29 for a fitness hearing following a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. Judge Henrik Tonning found him fit to stand trial in accordance with his medical report.
O’Keefe appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 4 after being arrested on warrants. He was released with conditions but was later remanded for a 10-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital on other separate charges in Edmundston.
Trial decision in store encounter
Steven Derek Trecartin, 46, of East Brighton, appeared for trial in provincial court on July 10 after pleading not guilty to a threat charge laid by Woodstock Police.
After hearing the evidence, Judge Henrik Tonning reserved his decision on a verdict until July 24 at noon.
Trecartin was charged with uttering threats against a female victim following an incident inside the Walmart on Nov. 1, 2023, in Woodstock.
“He creeped her out,” Judge Tonning said as the trial concluded. “The question is does that constitute threatening death or bodily harm.”
The court heard testimony from two police officers and the alleged female victim, who told the court Trecartin approached her in the store and, as they talked, he began insisting she leave with him to go to his house for a party. When she refused, Trecartin told her he had a gun in his truck and followed her to the checkout. She alerted store staff, and the police were notified.
Trecartin testified he did not know the girl and only helped her look for merchandise in the store. He agreed they chatted, but denied the allegations that he intimidated her and tried to get her to leave with him.
Defence Counsel Wanda Severns said no staff at the store noticed anything amiss during the incident. After his arrest, Trecartin went back to Walmart to retrieve video surveillance. The defence argued he did so to prove his innocence, but no video was available. She conceded a store video would not record sound or their conversation.
Police testified they were called about a teenage girl being followed around the Walmart, and Trecartin was arrested on the scene. He appeared to be intoxicated by a prescription medication, but no firearm was found in his possession.
In custody for bail hearing
Justin Jones, 24, of Beechwood, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 11 for a bail hearing on multiple charges laid by RCMP. The hearing was adjourned until July 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Jones was arrested on a warrant. He was charged with assaulting a woman with a wooden stick and assault causing bodily harm for an incident on Feb. 5 in Piercemont; possession of a firearm without a licence (a 12-gauge, pump action shotgun), possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, uttering threats, breaching a no-contact order, and resisting arrest on July 9 at Beechwood. He remains in custody.
Remanded on new charges
Crystal Lee Phillips, 44, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 11 for a bail hearing on new charges laid by RCMP. She waived her bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on July 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Phillips was charged with breaching her release order (ankle bracelet) and breaking into a dwelling house on July 8 in Upper Woodstock.
She also appeared in provincial court on April 8 and pleaded not guilty to other charges laid by the RCMP. Her trial was scheduled for April 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Phillips was charged with breaching her release order (curfew) on March 17 and resisting arrest on March 16 at Wilmot. She appeared in provincial court in custody on March 18 and was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle.
At an earlier court appearance, Phillips was charged with breaching her curfew in connection with an incident on Jan. 23 in Woodstock. She appeared in court in custody and was released with conditions. She pleaded not guilty on April 8.
Phillips is also awaiting trial on June 2 and June 4 at 9:30 a.m. and on Feb. 27, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. on other separate charges. She was charged by RCMP with flight from police and dangerous driving following an incident on Feb. 24, 2024, at Jacksonville.
Woodstock Police also charged her with flight from police and driving while suspended on Feb. 6, 2024, fraudulent impersonation, using a credit card knowing it was obtained by fraudulent means, and defrauding Walmart in Woodstock between Aug. 10, 2019, and June 23, 2023.
She appeared in provincial court in custody on April 18, 2024, on another charge of breaching her curfew laid by Woodstock Police.
Phillips appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 2, 2024, on other charges laid by Woodstock Police. She was released with conditions at that time, including a curfew. She was charged with illegal possession of methamphetamine and breaking into a dwelling house on March 31, 2024, in Woodstock.
Change of plea, sentencing set
Braeden Paul Thornton, 28, of Lakeville, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on July 11 and changed his plea to guilty on several charges laid by the RCMP. He was released with conditions until his sentencing on Oct. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Thornton pleaded guilty to breaching his release order (no-contact) on March 15 in Woodstock; guilty to assaulting a female victim, uttering threats, theft of a cell phone, and breaching a peace bond on July 14, 2024, in Woodstock; and guilty to breaching his release order (ankle bracelet) on Dec. 1, 2024, in Wilmot. He has a prior criminal record.
Facing threat charge
Marlon Scott, 43, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. to answer a threat charge.
RCMP charged Scott with uttering threats in connection with an incident on April 28 at Centreville. He made his first court appearance on July 8 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Theft of mail
Melissa Bull, 43, of Richmond Corner, will appear in provincial court on July 22 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a theft charge.
Bull was charged by RCMP with theft of mail and defrauding Canada Post, stemming from an incident on Aug. 16-17, 2024, in Woodstock. She was scheduled to answer the charge on July 8, but left the courthouse due to illness. A warrant will be held on file until her next court appearance.
In custody awaiting plea
Joshua Adam Demerchant, 35, of Pembroke, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 10 for plea on several charges laid by Woodstock Police.
The matter was adjourned until July 24 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Demerchant was denied bail on June 30 after being arrested on a warrant. He faces charges of breaching a release order, dangerous driving, fleeing police, and driving while suspended for an incident in July 2024.
Demerchant pleaded not guilty to several other charges and was scheduled for trial in January, but failed to appear. He was charged by Woodstock Police with two counts of breaching a release order stemming from incidents on Oct. 18, 2023, at Pembroke and on Dec. 4, 2023, in Woodstock.
He was also charged by RCMP with possession of stolen property (an ATV) and failing to stop for police in connection with an incident on July 12, 2023, near Hartland.
Remanded for plea
Nekko Dominique, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on July 11. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on new charges on July 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Dominique was charged with mischief, causing property damage to the interview room at the RCMP station on June 26; breaching his curfew on July 2 in Woodstock; breach of a release order, mischief causing damage to his ankle bracelet, and resisting arrest on July 9.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 30 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, but returned to custody.
RCMP also charged him with breaching a release order (curfew), theft, and breach of probation for an incident on April 12 at Neqotkuk. He is scheduled for plea on those charges on July 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Dominique appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 15 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was scheduled to return for a plea on June 17 but failed to appear, and an arrest warrant was issued.
Trial in August
Morgan Nicholas, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on July 10 to answer two charges laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for Jan. 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Nicholas appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 16 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was arrested on June 3 and charged with theft from a gas bar and breaching his release order concerning an incident on May 25 at Neqotkuk.
Nicholas and Brandon Michael Francis, 29, also of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court together on July 10 and pleaded not guilty to other charges related to an alleged break-in at a dwelling house. Francis appeared in custody via video. They pleaded not guilty, and the trial was set for Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Francis and Nicholas were each charged with breaking into a dwelling house, mischief causing property damage to a door and window, and assaulting another man with a wooden two-by-four in connection with an incident on April 29 at Neqotkuk. Francis also faces additional charges of uttering threats, resisting arrest, and breach of probation concerning the same incident. Both men have prior criminal records.
Francis appeared in provincial court in custody by video again on May 29. He waived his bail until later. RCMP charged him with breaching his release order by violating the conditions of electronic monitoring and mischief causing damage to his ankle bracelet on May 1 in Perth-Andover and breaching his house arrest on May 8. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial will be held on Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Charged with trafficking, assault
Michelle Augustine of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on July 9 to answer a drug trafficking charge and an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until July 30 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Augustine was charged by RCMP with trafficking in cocaine in connection with an incident on Aug. 30, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She was also charged with assaulting another woman with a weapon (a stick) on April 29 at Neqotkuk.
Bail hearing delayed
Samuel Robert Crewe, 30, of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 10 for a bail hearing. The hearing was adjourned until July 24 at 10 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Crewe was charged with being at large on a release order by violating his house arrest, stemming from an incident on June 24 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court on June 3 and pleaded not guilty to three other charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for July 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Crewe was charged with flight from police, dangerous driving and breach of a release order following an incident on May 6 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 18 and pleaded not guilty to four more charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was set for Feb. 11, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Crewe was charged by RCMP with possession of methamphetamine, flight from police, dangerous driving and driving while prohibited in connection with an incident in Kirkland on Jan. 4. He has a prior criminal record.
He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Jan. 6 and was released with conditions.
Neqotkuk man held in custody
Brock Vollmar, 48, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on July 10 after being arrested on new charges. His bail hearing was booked for July 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Vollmar was charged by RCMP with unlawful confinement, assault involving a female victim, and uttering threats for an incident on July 9 at Neqotkuk.
Vollmar is also slated for trial on July 14. At an earlier court appearance, he pleaded not guilty to assault involving a female victim for an incident on May 6, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
