Seven months in jail for sixth drunk driving conviction
James Earle Dow, 49, of Dow Settlement, was sentenced to seven months in jail for drunk driving when he appeared in provincial court on Aug. 27. Judge Karen Lee also placed him on 18 months of probation and prohibited him from driving for five years.
Dow pleaded guilty to driving while prohibited and refusing a breathalyzer demand in connection with an incident on May 14, 2023, at Dow Settlement. RCMP laid the charges. The accused had a prior criminal record that included five previous convictions for impaired driving.
In rendering her decision, Judge Lee reviewed the facts that led to Dow’s appearance before the court for sentencing on Wednesday. The court heard police received two reports of a drunk driver and a vehicle broken down along the highway at Dow Settlement. Police found Dow behind the wheel in a highly intoxicated condition. He was prohibited from driving at the time.
Judge Lee noted Dow struggled with alcohol abuse for most of his life and tried addiction treatment several times. On March 18, his sentencing was adjourned to allow Dow to attend another rehab program. The judge warned him that drinking and driving puts lives at risk and is “totally unacceptable” in today’s society.
Dow appeared in provincial court on June 18 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to attend court for his sentencing. He was released from custody with conditions pending the completion of his sentencing. On Aug. 27, he received five months in jail for the breathalyzer offence and two months for driving while prohibited.
45 days in jail and $200 fine
Shawn Sullivan, 40, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on Aug. 27 after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by the RCMP.
He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, minus 17 days in remand, for breaching a release order (no-contact) on March 14, 2024, at Gladwyn. He was also fined $100.
Sullivan received a suspended sentence and another $100 fine for stealing keys and tools from the Twin Rivers Paper Company in Plaster Rock on Jan. 12, 2024. He was also placed on probation for 12 months and ordered to pay $150 in restitution.
The court heard that he was an employee at the mill when he broke into the locker of a fellow employee and stole several items. The incident was caught on video.
Sullivan had a prior criminal record and is currently remanded on new charges in Edmundston. He was already on 24 months of probation for theft in Fredericton.
Judge Karen Lee noted Sullivan had experienced the loss of loved ones and struggled with addiction and mental health issues. He had a solid work history at the mill, but suffered an injury and was being laid off when the theft occurred. The Crown withdrew several other charges.
Sentence pending for Neqotkuk man
Trevor Lee Bear, Jr., 27, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Aug. 26 for sentencing after pleading guilty to one charge laid by the RCMP.
Bear pleaded guilty to breach of probation by violating a no-contact order in connection with an incident on Feb. 7 at Neqotkuk. His sentencing date was adjourned until Sept. 10 at 1:30 p.m. with the consent of the Crown.
Charged with assault
Roxanne Carol Kinney, 56, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m. to answer an assault charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Kinney was charged with assaulting another woman on April 12 in Woodstock. She made her first court appearance on Aug. 26 when the matter was adjourned to allow her more time to secure legal counsel.
Fredericton man has two charges
Jeremy William Graves, 31, of Fredericton, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Graves was charged with uttering threats and assaulting another man following an incident on April 10 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Aug. 26 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Returning for plea
David Sisson, 42, of Rosedale, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m. to answer a breach charge laid by the RCMP.
Sisson was charged with breaching a release order (no-contact) in connection with an incident on June 7 at Florenceville-Bristol. He made his first court appearance on Aug. 26 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
In custody awaiting trial
Justin Jones, 24, of Beechwood, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 26 and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges laid by the RCMP. His trial dates were set for Oct. 20 at 9:30 a.m. and Oct. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Jones was arrested on a warrant and denied bail on July 24. 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. The charges were laid following a six-hour standoff with police.
Jinson awaiting plea
Jacob Jinson, 26, of Somerville, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 26 to answer three charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Jinson was charged with uttering threats on April 10, 2024, in Somerville, breaching his curfew on April 20, 2024, and failing to appear in court on Aug. 6, 2024. He appeared in provincial court in custody via video on July 24 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court. He told the court that the police showed up to arrest him after a whole year of being on the lam. He was released with conditions, with an order to appear.
New sentencing date pending
James Blair Hovey, 28, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 26 to set a new date for his sentencing after changing his plea to guilty on multiple charges laid by the RCMP.
His sentencing was adjourned to allow more time for the transfer of other charges from Fredericton and Miramichi. Hovey returns to court in custody on Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm the date for his sentencing.
Hovey pleaded guilty to assaulting another man and theft of keys on Nov. 27, 2024, in New Denmark. Another charge of theft of tools was withdrawn.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen ATV, breach of probation and flight from police on March 30, 2024, at Tobique Narrows; guilty to taking a vehicle without consent and breaching his curfew on Oct. 25, 2024, at Perth-Andover; guilty to flight from police, theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, and breaching his curfew on Nov. 27, 2024, at Plaster Rock; and guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle and breach of probation on Jan. 9 at Carlingford. Two other charges were withdrawn.
The court heard the Crown would be seeking a one-year jail sentence for all counts. Hovey has been in custody since his arrest in January.
Hovey was also charged by the Woodstock Police with breach of probation and break, enter and theft at a dwelling house on Creighton Street on Sept. 26, 2024. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was reset for Sept. 12 and Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Sentencing postponed on multiple charges
Yves Levesque, 36, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 26 for sentencing after changing his plea to guilty on multiple charges laid by the RCMP.
His sentencing was adjourned when the court heard he was facing seven more charges. Levesque returns to court in custody on Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea on those matters and to set a new sentencing date on the rest.
Levesque pleaded guilty to assaulting a female victim on Aug. 14, 2024, at New Denmark; guilty to assault on the same female between Oct. 1 and Oct. 27, 2024, at McLaughlin, Victoria County; guilty to uttering threats and assault by choking on Oct. 28, 2024, at Perth-Andover; guilty to uttering threats, and assault by choking on Oct. 31, 2024, at McLaughlin; guilty to assault with a weapon (a helmet), uttering threats, assault causing bodily harm, and break and enter at a dwelling house on Dec. 20, 2024, at McLaughlin; guilty to break and enter and theft, and mischief causing property damage to a shed on Dec. 21, 2024, at McLaughlin; guilty to assaulting the same female victim on Nov. 22, 2024, in Grand Falls, and breach of probation on Oct. 22, 2024, in Grand Falls. The Crown withdrew nine other charges.
11 charges in road rage incident
An Upper Woodstock man has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges in relation to a road rage incident on May 27 at the intersection of Main Street and Deakin Drive in Woodstock.
Wyatt Mark Belyea, 28, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 25 for a monitoring hearing following his not-guilty plea. His trial dates were set for Nov. 17 and Nov. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Another monitoring date was scheduled for Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m. to deal with a possible resolution with the Crown.
Belyea was charged with uttering threats, pointing a firearm at another person, driving while prohibited, carelessly transporting a firearm, possession of a gun (a SKS semi-automatic rifle) without a licence, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun, possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, failing to surrender a firearm licence when required, assaulting a police officer with a weapon (a vehicle), flight from police, and refusing a breathalyzer demand.
Belyea appeared in court in custody via teleconference on May 28 and waived his bail until a later date. Following his arrest, a long-barreled rifle with an attached bayonet was located and seized from a pickup truck. He has a prior criminal record.
Charged with robbery
Chad Clark, 47, of Mount Pleasant, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 26 after pleading not guilty to a robbery charge laid by the RCMP. His trial dates were set for Oct. 29 and Oct. 30, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Clark was charged with robbery with violence in connection with the theft of a vehicle on Feb. 5 at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation).
Trial for sexual assault
Christopher Thomas O’Keefe, 27, of Fielding, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 26 for a monitoring hearing about his trial on a sexual assault charge.
O’Keefe was charged by the RCMP with sexual assault in connection with an incident on Feb. 26, 2023, at Upper Brighton. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for Dec. 18-19 at 9:30 a.m.
He returns to court on Sept. 26 at 9:30 a.m. for further monitoring to confirm he will be ready to proceed to trial. A pre-trial conference was also scheduled for Oct. 14.
Warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Brandon Tomah, 36, of no fixed address, after he failed to appear in provincial court on Aug. 26 to enter a plea.
Tomah appeared in provincial court on Aug. 5 for plea on charges laid by the RCMP when the matter was adjourned to the new date. He was charged with resisting arrest on Jan. 26 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) and theft of a motor vehicle on Jan. 29 at Perth-Andover.
Charged with fleeing police
Olivia Annette Young, 32, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on Aug. 25 after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m., when a new trial date will be set.
Young was charged with fleeing from police and dangerous driving in connection with an incident on Sept. 13, 2024, in Woodstock. She is also awaiting trial in relation to a charge of breaching her curfew.
Young also has another trial on July 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to fleeing police on Aug. 17, 2024, in Woodstock.
Plea on multiple charges
Zachery Don Brooks, 21, of Lower Brighton, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on 20 charges laid by the RCMP.
He appeared in court on Aug. 26when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Brooks appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on June 19 and was released from custody with conditions (ankle bracelet). He was later arrested on a warrant for failing to appear and then released until his next court appearance.
Brooks was charged with five counts of assault involving a female victim, four counts of assault by choking, three counts of unlawful confinement, two counts of uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a phone cord), assault while threatening to use a weapon (a knife), possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, mischief causing damage to a cell phone, and two counts of breaching a release order (no contact).
The charges were laid in connection with a series of incidents on Nov. 24, 2024, Feb. 12, Feb. 17, May 28, June 9, June 10 and June 11, in Lower Brighton; on June 3 and June 5 in Hartland, and on Feb. 19 in Woodstock. He was arrested and taken into custody on June 12.
Agreed to peace bond
Stacey Dixon, 36, of Upper Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 26 for plea on two charges laid by the RCMP.
Dixon was charged with assault involving a male victim and assault by choking concerning an incident on April 25 in Upper Woodstock. On Tuesday, she agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, which will result in the charges being withdrawn.
Trial scheduled
Jordan Alexander White-Pickard, 27, of Holmesville, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 26 for a monitoring hearing about his trial after pleading not guilty to a threat charge laid by the Woodstock Police. His trial was set for July 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
White-Pickard was charged with uttering threats following an incident on Aug. 3, 2024, in Woodstock. Another monitoring date for his trial was scheduled for June 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he will be ready to proceed.
Facing threat charge
Peti Augustino Peti, 33, of Lakeville, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a threat charge. He was scheduled to enter his plea on Aug. 26 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
RCMP charged Peti with uttering threats involving a female victim. The court heard that more charges may be pending.
Adjourned for plea
Michael Alexander Murphy, 28, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m. to answer two charges. The matter was scheduled for plea on Aug. 26 but was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
The RCMP charged Murphy with failing to appear and fraudulent impersonation with intent to avoid arrest in connection with an incident on March 11 at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation).
He appeared in provincial court in custody on June 10 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to attend court in April, and was released with conditions.
Returning for trial date
Chad Brooker, 36, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m. to set a date for his trial after pleading not guilty to sex charges laid by the RCMP.
Brooker was charged with sexual assault, touching a minor for a sexual purpose and invitation to sexual touching in connection with an incident between June 1 and Oct. 31, 2024, at Centreville.
He appeared in court in custody via teleconference on Aug. 8 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court. He was released on an undertaking. On Aug. 26, he told the court he needed more time to secure legal counsel for his trial.
Plea date for Beechwood woman
Courtney Demerchant, 28, of Beechwood, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m. to answer two assault charges laid by the RCMP.
Demerchant was charged with assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm concerning an incident on Nov. 5, 2024, in Beechwood. She was scheduled to appear in provincial court for plea on Aug. 26, when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of her defence counsel.
Awaiting trial on four charges
Shelby Paul, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Aug. 26 and pleaded not guilty to four charges laid by the RCMP. Her trial was booked for Oct. 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Paul appeared in provincial court in custody on May 28 and was released with conditions. RCMP charged her with assaulting another woman and breach of probation on Jan. 29 at Neqotkuk; and assault with a weapon (a phone) and breach of probation on Jan. 19 at Neqotkuk. A monitoring date for her trial was scheduled for Oct. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Charged with impaired driving
Michael Feaver, 44, of Gordonsville, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an impaired driving charge.
RCMP charged Feaver following an incident on May 31 in Fielding. He appeared in provincial court on Aug. 26 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel. The court heard a resolution was being sought with the Crown.
Plea pending in alleged assault
Jade Marvin Craft, 52, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m. to answer an assault charge laid by the RCMP.
Craft was charged with assault with a weapon stemming from an incident on April 29 at Neqotkuk. The matter was scheduled for plea on Aug. 26 but was adjourned to the new date at the request of the defence.
New trial date
Collin Francis Bear, 35, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for trial in provincial court on Feb. 23, 2026, after pleading not guilty to an assault charge laid by the RCMP.
Bear was charged in connection with an incident at Neqotkuk in 2024. He appeared in court on Aug. 26 to confirm the new trial date. A monitoring date was also scheduled for Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Trial adjourned to November
Brandon Michael Francis, 30, and Morgan Nicholas, 28, both of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for trial in provincial court on Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m. They were scheduled for trial on Aug. 25 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of the Crown.
Francis and Nicholas pleaded not guilty to 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 was denied bail on Aug. 19. The 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, as well as breaching his house arrest on May 8. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m.
Nicholas appeared in provincial court on July 10 to answer two other separate charges laid by the 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.
