Johnville man sentenced to 60 days
Ryan Troy O’Donnell, 27, of Johnville, was handed 60 days in jail or time served when he appeared in provincial court in custody for sentencing on two charges on March 19.
RCMP charged O’Donnell with possession of stolen property (cheques) on Dec. 16, 2023, in Beechwood and mischief causing property damage to an apartment window on Feb. 15, 2024. He changed his plea to guilty.
Judge Karen Lee also placed O’Donnell on 12 months of probation and ordered him to seek counselling for mental health, addiction and anger management. The court heard he came from a troubled background and was introduced to drug use at a young age.
O’Donnell told the court he would be released from custody on March 22 after completing another sentence on other charges in Edmundston. He had a lengthy prior criminal record.
Accused in Mainstream shooting released
Patrick Harris, 40, of Fredericton, and Tamara Hamilton, 30, of Woodstock, are both facing charges following a shooting in Mainstream on Feb. 17.
Harris appeared in court in custody by video on March 19 for his bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He will reside in Hartland, where he is under house arrest with a curfew. Harris returns to court for plea on April 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Hamilton was released on Feb. 20 with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle. She was placed under house arrest with a curfew at a residence in Woodstock. She appeared in court on March 19 when her plea was also adjourned to April 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Harris was charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited (a sawed-off shotgun), discharging a firearm at a place while reckless as to whether a person was present; possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition without a licence, wearing a mask with intent to commit an offence; uttering threats against another man, breach of probation, pointing a gun at another person, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and being an occupant of a vehicle (a half-ton truck) knowing it carried a firearm.
Hamilton was charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited (a sawed-off shotgun), possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, discharging a firearm at a place while reckless as to whether a person was present, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition without a licence, and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun.
The pair was arrested by RCMP inside a garage in Pembroke after a blue half-ton truck was spotted leaving the scene of the shooting in Mainstream on Feb. 17.
Eight months of house arrest
Collin Francis Bear, 37, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), received an eight-month conditional sentence and 12 months of probation when he appeared in provincial court on March 21.
Bear was charged with assault, two counts of assault with a weapon (an axe and a mirror) involving a female victim, possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence (an axe) in connection with an incident on Aug. 26, 2023, at Neqotkuk. He appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
Bear pleaded guilty to one count of common assault and the remaining charges were withdrawn by the crown.
On March 21, Judge Pierre Arsenault also ordered Bear to register with the federal DNA database and to seek counselling for anger management. Bear will be under house arrest during the first four months of his conditional sentence, followed by four months of adhering to a curfew.
Crown Prosecutor Sean Corscadden described details of a violent domestic dispute at a residence in Neqotkuk. He recommended Bear be sentenced to four months in jail.
Defence Counsel Wanda Severns explained both Bear and the female victim were drinking at the time and an altercation ensued because Bear wanted the woman to leave the premises. He had a dated prior criminal record.
Fined $2,600 for impaired
Jade Elizabeth Robbins, 22, of Fredericton, appeared for trial in provincial court on March 21 and changed her plea to guilty on a charge of impaired driving. She was fined $2,600 and prohibited from driving for one year.
Woodstock Police charged Robbins following an incident in Woodstock on Sept. 4, 2023.
Released with conditions
Shawn Sullivan, 38, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 20 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on April 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Sullivan was charged by RCMP with breach of a release order (no-contact) and breach of probation, stemming from an incident on March 14 at Gladwyn.
He appeared in court in custody by video on Feb. 24 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions but was taken back into custody.
RCMP charged Sullivan with breaching his release order and breach of probation concerning an incident on Feb. 20 in Waterville. He was also charged with theft from the Twin Rivers Paper Company in Plaster Rock on Jan. 12.
Sullivan is also scheduled for trial on Dec. 17 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to two more charges. He was charged with assaulting another man and breach of probation in connection with an incident on Nov. 23, 2024, at Plaster Rock and Gladwyn. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant. Sullivan has a prior criminal record.
Released under house arrest
Jayson Lee O’Hagan, 21, of Bairdsville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 20 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions and placed under house arrest. He returns to court for plea on April 8 at 9:30 a.m.
O’Hagan was charged with illegal possession of hydromorphone (morphine), breach of a release order on March 1 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), and breach of a release order on March 18 at Perth-Andover.
He also appeared in provincial court on Dec. 3, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to other 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, 2024, near Bairdsville, possessing a stolen licence plate and breaching a release order on Sept. 26, 2024, in Perth-Andover.
The conditions of his release order prohibited O’Hagan from driving.
Trial dates set on 22 charges
Yves Levesque, 36, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 20 and pleaded not guilty to 22 charges laid by RCMP. His trial dates were set for June 12, June 16, July 2 and July 17 at 9:30 a.m.
Levesque was charged with uttering threats and flight from police for an incident on Dec. 21, 2024, at McLaughlin, Victoria County. He waived his bail until later.
He was also charged with assaulting a female victim on Aug. 14, 2024, at New Denmark; two counts of assault on the same female between Oct. 1 and Oct. 27, 2024, at McLaughlin; driving while prohibited, uttering threats, assault and assault by choking on Oct. 28, 2024, at Perth-Andover; uttering threats, assault and assault by choking on Oct. 31, 2024, at McLaughlin; uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a helmet), assault causing bodily harm, break and enter at a dwelling house, and mischief causing property damage on Dec. 20, 2024, at McLaughlin; break and enter and theft, and mischief causing property damage at a shed on Dec. 21, 2024, at McLaughlin; and theft of prescription medication and a cell phone on Dec. 21, 2024, at McLaughlin.
In custody awaiting trial
Ryan Eccleston, 32, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 21 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for May 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Eccleston was charged with flight from police and dangerous driving on March 17, 2024, in Perth-Andover. He pleaded guilty to another charge of being at large on a release order on March 29, 2024, in relation to a breach of his parole. A date for his sentencing will be set at his court appearance on May 14.
Eccleston appeared in court in custody on Feb. 24 after being arrested on a warrant. He waived his bail until later.
In custody on eight charges
James Blair Hovey, 28, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 20 for plea on several charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until March 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Hovey was charged with assaulting another man, theft of a vehicle and breaching his curfew on Oct. 25, 2024, at Perth-Andover; and flight from police, assaulting police, theft of a vehicle, dangerous driving and breaching his curfew on Nov. 27, 2024, in Plaster Rock. He waived his bail until later.
Hovey was also charged by 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 date was set for July 14 at 9:30 a.m.
The court heard he also has other charges in Fredericton and Edmundston.
Held for bail hearing
Trevor Lee Crain, 49, of Killoween, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on March 21 to answer three charges laid by RCMP. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on March 24 at 1:30 p.m.
He was charged with three counts of breaching his release order (house arrest) concerning incidents on Jan. 30, Feb. 2 and Feb. 7 at Beechwood.
Crain also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 to set new dates for his trial after pleading not guilty to other multiple charges laid by RCMP. His trial dates were set for July 25 at 9:30 a.m., May 30 at 1:30 p.m. and Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
He was charged by RCMP with possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), resisting arrest, and breach of a release order in connection with an incident on July 1, 2024, at Killoween. The trial will be held on Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
He was also charged with breaking into a residence and committing sexual assault for another incident between May 1 and May 23, 2023, at Moose Mountain. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 25 at 1:30 p.m.
He also faces a charge of possessing stolen property for a separate May 5, 2024 incident. The trial will be held on Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Crain was charged by RCMP with break and enter at a dwelling house, breaching an undertaking on June 15, 2023, at Moose Mountain, and committing an assault involving a female victim on June 11, 2023, at Killoween. The trial on these matters will be held on July 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Crain is facing two more charges for incidents on July 11, 2023. His trial will be held on May 30 at 1:30 p.m. He is also awaiting trial for an incident on Dec. 27, 2024.
Charges withdrawn
The crown withdrew charges laid against Memphis Tompkins, 21, of Tilley, who was scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on March 20.
Tompkins was charged by RCMP with aggravated assault, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and uttering threats for an incident on Sept. 4, 2024, at Aroostook. He was also charged with breaching a release order on July 1, 2024, at Carlingford. He pleaded not guilty on all counts and was released with conditions.
Change of plea on three charges
Dylan Thibodeau, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court on March 19 and changed his plea to guilty on three charges laid by RCMP.
Thibodeau appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 24, 2024, and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him with three counts of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, breaking and entering a dwelling house and assault in connection with an incident on Jan. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
He pleaded guilty to three of the charges, and the remaining charges will go to trial on May 7 at 9:30 a.m. A sentencing date for his guilty pleas will be set at that time.
Bail hearing scheduled
Jacob Alexander Roy, 27, of Windsor, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 19 and pleaded not guilty to all charges laid by RCMP. Trial dates were set for Aug. 29 and Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Roy was charged with breaching a release order by violating the conditions of his house arrest (ankle bracelet) following an incident on Feb. 8 at Coldstream.
He was also charged by Woodstock Police with possession of methamphetamine and cocaine, both for the purpose of trafficking, breach of a release order, carrying a concealed weapon (plastic knuckles), and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, concerning an incident in Woodstock on Aug. 3, 2024. The crown withdrew another charge of possessing a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles).
Roy has been in custody since his arrest. A bail hearing was set for April 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Trial rescheduled
Jace Maddox Anderson, 20, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on March 20 after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. The trial was adjourned until March 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged Anderson with two counts of uttering threats against a female victim in connection with incidents on Jan. 14 and Jan. 17, 2024, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty.
Woodstock Police also charged Anderson with uttering threats and breach of a no-contact order following an incident on July 1, 2024, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for May 19, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police also charged Anderson with assault and uttering threats in connection with an incident at a Woodstock apartment on May 25, 2023. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was adjourned to May 19, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Anderson also faces a charge of failing to appear in court on Nov. 1, 2023. He pleaded not guilty and the trial was adjourned to May 19, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Charged with sexual assault
Joseph Diamond, 43, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on April 8 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a sex charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Diamond was charged with sexual assault involving a minor in connection with an incident on April 27, 2024, in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on March 18 and was released on an undertaking until his plea date.
Moved to alternative measures
Rachelle Jacqueline Paget, 33, of Wilmot, appeared in provincial court on March 18 to answer an assault charge. The matter was diverted to the alternative measures program with the consent of the crown.
Woodstock Police charged Paget with assaulting another woman on Nov. 9, 2024, in Woodstock. She has until June 17 at 9:30 a.m. to complete the requirements of the program in order to have the charge withdrawn.
Awaiting trial on three charges
Jill Smith, 37, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court on March 18 and pleaded not guilty to three breach charges. Her trial date was set for March 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Smith with breaching the conditions of her release in connection with incidents on Oct. 8, 2024, Jan. 26 and Jan. 29.
Hanwell woman charged
Destiny Justice Wolf, 25, of Hanwell, will appear for trial in provincial court on Feb. 25, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges. Her not-guilty plea was entered by a lawyer on her behalf on March 18.
Wolf was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of stolen property and breach of probation, stemming from an incident on May 20, 2024, in Woodstock. She appeared in court in custody via teleconference on Feb. 25 and was released with conditions.
Plea adjourned
Eric Butler, 38, of Riceville, will appear in provincial court on April 8 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Butler was charged with flight from police concerning an incident on Jan. 12 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on March 11, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
