2024 accident near Hay Settlement claimed life of passsenger
Casey Feuser, 37, of Sussex, will appear for trial by judge alone at the Court of King’s Bench in Woodstock from April 5-9, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. He faces four charges related to a fatal accident that killed two people on the Trans Canada Highway outside Woodstock in 2024.
Feuser was charged by the RCMP with two counts of dangerous driving causing death and two counts of failing to remain at the scene of an accident on Sept. 26, 2024, near Hay Settlement. Represented by defence counsel, he pleaded not guilty and waived his right to a preliminary hearing. A pre-trial conference will be held on March 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Two male passengers from Sussex died as a result of the single-vehicle accident, which occurred around 1:30 a.m. The vehicle was travelling eastbound on the highway when it lost control and went into a ditch.
Trial by judge and jury
Jessie Ginson, 36, of Bull Lake, elected trial by judge and jury at the Court of King’s Bench when he appeared in provincial court on Feb. 3 on two indictable charges laid by the RCMP. A preliminary hearing was set for April 9 at 1:30 p.m.
Ginson appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 6 on charges of breaking into a dwelling house and committing robbery in connection with an incident on Jan. 3 in Windsor. He pleaded not guilty.
He was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, and he must follow an order to abstain from drugs and alcohol. He must have no contact with the complainant.
Arrested and released
Vinal Todd Hatto, 40, of Pokiok, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Feb. 3 for a bail decision. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Hatto was arrested on a warrant and charged with arson, dangerous driving, two counts of breaching a release order and driving while prohibited concerning an incident on Sept. 5, 2025, in Woodstock. He returns to court for plea on Feb. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
He is also facing other charges of obstructing Woodstock Police and possession of stolen inspection stickers in connection with an incident on May 16, 2025. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Nov. 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
He will also stand trial on seven drug trafficking charges laid by Woodstock Police. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for Nov. 26-27, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Hatto was charged with possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, heroine, oxcontyin, hydromorphone, and methylphenidate, all for the purpose of trafficking, on May 28, 2025, in Lower Woodstock. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for May 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
In September 2025, Hatto was released from custody with conditions to a rehab facility in Moncton after being sentenced to time served on other separate charges.
Time served and probation
Edward Brennan McGraw, 30, of Woodstock, was sentenced to 24 days in jail or time served, and 12 months of probation when he appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 2.
McGraw pleaded guilty to charges of prowling at night and breaching a court order laid by Woodstock Police. A third charge was withdrawn by the Crown. He appeared in court in custody via video for a bail hearing on Jan. 5 and waived his bail.
Fined $1,100 for impaired
Marci Rai Cheney, 35, of Bedell, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 3 and pleaded guilty to an impaired driving charge. She was fined $1,100 and prohibited from driving for one year.
Cheney was charged by Woodstock Police stemming from an accident on Aug. 20, 2025, in Woodstock when her vehicle left Broadway Street and struck a hydro pole.
Held in custody
Kenneth Lake, 39, of Lansdowne, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Feb. 3 after being arrested for breaching a no-contact order. He was remanded for a bail hearing on Feb. 4 at 10 a.m.
Lake was charged following an incident on Feb. 2 in Lansdowne. At an earlier court appearance, he was charged with assaulting a female victim concerning an incident on Nov. 28, 2025, in Lansdowne. He will enter a plea to both charges on Feb. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Trial decision postponed
Johnny Lee Bloodsworth, 39, of Arthurette, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 3 for a verdict following his trial on multiple sex charges. Judge Karen Lee postponed her decision until Feb. 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Bloodsworth’s trial concluded in December following closing arguments from both the crown and defence counsel. The allegations involve two complainants.
Bloodsworth was charged by the RCMP with four counts of sexual assault and eight counts of touching a female minor for a sexual purpose in connection with incidents between July 10, 2023 and Sept. 4, 2023. He pleaded not guilty.
Bloodsworth also pleaded not guilty to sexual assault, two counts of touching a female minor for a sexual purpose, and uttering threats in connection with an incident between April 1, 2023 and Sept. 1, 2023.
Bloodsworth appeared in provincial court in custody via video on June 25, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released on conditions.
He also appeared in provincial court on July 8 and pleaded not guilty to a charge of breaching his release order. His trial was set for July 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Bloodsworth was charged by the RCMP in connection with an incident between Jan. 31 and May 30 in Arthurette. He was arrested and released on conditions.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Austin Powers, 26, of Beaconsfield, after he failed to appear for sentencing on Feb. 3.
Powers appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on Nov. 6, 2025, and entered a guilty plea to four charges laid by the RCMP. He was released with conditions to await his sentencing.
Powers was denied bail on June 6, 2025. He was charged with two counts of breaching a recognizance on May 15 and May 20 at Plaster Rock; assault while threatening to use a weapon (a wooden mallet), assault involving a female victim, two counts of uttering threats, breaching an order not to have weapons in his possession on May 21 at Plaster Rock; and resisting arrest and uttering threats to police on May 23 at Plaster Rock. Powers has a prior criminal record.
He pleaded guilty to both counts of breaching a recognizance, resisting arrest and uttering threats to police. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond on the assault charges. The remaining charges will be withdrawn by the Crown. A sentence of time served was expected for the accused.
Nabbed for impaired
Maria Vanheddeghem, 65, of Upper Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on April 28 at 9:30 a.m. to answer an impaired driving charge.
Vanheddeghem was charged by Woodstock Police in connection with an incident on Aug. 24, 2025, in Woodstock. She was scheduled to enter a plea on Feb. 3 when the matter was adjourned to allow her more time to consult legal counsel.
Released to enter rehab
Earl James Demerchant, 34, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 24 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police.
He appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Jan. 7 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions to enter a rehab facility in Moncton. On Feb. 3, Defence Counsel Lindsay Paul asked that his plea be adjourned to the new date.
Demerchant was charged with mischief, causing property damage to a window on Main Street in Woodstock on July 8, 2025; causing a disturbance in a public place and breach of probation in connection with an incident on Nov. 5, 2025; and breach of a release order and breach of probation on Nov. 22, 2025, in Woodstock.
On Dec. 30, 2025, Demerchant appeared in court in custody via video for a fitness hearing after being remanded to Restigouche hospital for a 30-day mental health assessment. He was found fit to stand trial.
Trial scheduled
Rodney Baker, 62, of Upper Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 3 and pleaded not guilty to an assault charge. His trial date was booked for Jan. 7, 2027, at 1:30 p.m.
Baker was charged by the RCMP with assaulting a female victim following an incident on Dec. 17, 2025, in Upper Woodstock.
Failing to pay restitution
Gary Frederick Kilcollins, 48, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 3 for a monitoring hearing about his trial on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. He confirmed he had legal counsel to proceed.
Kilcollins was charged with breaching probation on July 2, 2025, by failing to pay $919 in restitution related to a previous offence. His trial date was set for Jan. 4, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. Another monitoring date was booked for Nov. 3 at 9:30 a.m.
Facing five charges
Jocelyn Cronk, 40, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 3 and pleaded not guilty to several charges laid by the RCMP. Her trial date was scheduled for Feb. 19, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Cronk was charged with two counts of assault on a male victim, uttering threats, and unlawful confinement on June 23, 2025, in Aroostook, and breaching an undertaking (no contact) on June 23, 2025, at Aroostook.
Plea postponed
Cameron James Clark, 25, of Mapledale, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 3 to answer charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Feb. 24 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel. The court heard that a resolution is being sought with the Crown.
Clark appeared in provincial court in custody by video in November for a bail hearing after being arrested for breaching his release order (ankle bracelet). He was released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing another electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
He was charged by RCMP with breach of probation, resisting arrest, uttering threats, stalking a female victim, breaking into at a dwelling house, assault with a weapon, assaulting another man, and mischief causing property damage to a door on Sept. 17, 2025, at Mapledale; stalking a female victim, dangerous driving and breach of probation on Sept. 19, 2025, in Mapledale; and breaching a release order on Oct. 21, 2025, in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants.
Trial on several charges
Joshua Alexander Russell, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 3 and pleaded not guilty to a breach charge. His trial was set for Jan. 13, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Russell was charged by Woodstock Police with breaching his release order stemming from an incident between Dec. 11 and Dec. 12, 2025, in Woodstock.
He appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Dec. 16, 2025, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was also ordered to enter a rehab facility in Saint John.
Russell also pleaded not guilty to six other charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for Jan. 13-14, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Russell was charged with two counts of breaking into a dwelling house, breach of an emergency intervention order, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle, and driving while suspended in connection with an incident on Sept. 21, 2025, in Woodstock.
A pre-trial conference will be held on June 24, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. The court heard Russell will also return to court on Aug. 31, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. for trial on another standalone matter.
Fredericton man awaits sentencing
Ryan Patrick Brown, 34, of Fredericton, appeared for trial in provincial court on Feb. 2 and changed his plea to guilty on an assault charge laid by Woodstock Police. His sentencing date was set for May 4 at 1:30 p.m.
Brown was charged with assault involving a female victim, assault by choking and mischief by interfering with property (a phone) stemming from a domestic dispute on Nov. 17, 2024, at Stiles Motel in Woodstock. He pleaded guilty to assault, and the remaining two charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
Awaiting trial date
Robin Sappier, 47, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Feb. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to set a date for her trial after pleading not guilty to an assault charge laid by the RCMP.
Sappier was charged with assaulting a male victim on Aug. 28, 2025, at Neqotkuk. She appeared in court on Feb. 3 when the matter was adjourned to the new date to allow her more time to consult legal counsel.
Returning for plea
Zacheriah Warman, 25, of Salisbury, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to answer one charge laid in Woodstock.
Warman was charged with transmitting an intimate image without consent for an incident on July 6, 2024. He was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Feb. 3 when the matter was adjourned to the new date. The court heard that a resolution is being sought with the Crown.
Centreville man to stand trial
Chad Brooker, 36, of Centreville, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 3 to set a date for his trial on charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Feb. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Brooker pleaded not guilty to 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 in November 2025 after being arrested on a warrant and was released with conditions.
Sexual assault charge
Dana Allison MacKay, 42, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea on a sex charge.
MacKay was charged by Woodstock Police with sexual assault in connection with an incident on Sept. 21, 2019, in Woodstock. He was scheduled to enter a plea on Feb. 3, but the matter was adjourned to the new date at his lawyer’s request.
Trial in the fall
Caleb Wavel Crain, 42, of Piercemont, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 3 and pleaded not guilty to firearm charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial was booked for Sept. 11 at 1:30 p.m.
Crain was charged with transporting a firearm in a careless manner, possession of a firearm without a licence (a semi-automatic rifle), and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, following an incident on June 19, 2025, in Woodstock.
He will also stand trial on Aug. 7 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to another charge of failing to report his whereabouts to the national sex offender registry.
Woodstock man facing sex charge
Michael Charles Denny, 33, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 24 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Denny was charged with sexual assault involving a female victim between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1, 2025, and uttering threats on Feb. 15, 2025, in Woodstock. He appeared in court for plea on Feb. 3 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Dangerous driving
Joshua Perley, 24, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation),will appear for trial in provincial court on Feb. 25, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to a dangerous driving charge. His lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf during a court appearance on Feb. 3.
Sentencing adjourned
Dana Newell, 38, of Perth-Andover, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Feb. 3 after changing his plea to guilty on one firearm charge laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the completion of his pre-sentence report.
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, 2025, in Perth-Andover. He pleaded guilty to careless use of a firearm, and the remaining charges were withdrawn.
Counterfeit money
Chandler Spittle, 23, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 3 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. His trial date was set for Feb. 22, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Spittle was charged by the RCMP with possession of counterfeit money (a $100 US bill) and using counterfeit money concerning an incident on Dec. 24, 2023, at Johnson Settlement.
Woodstock Police also charged him with flight from police, dangerous driving and obstructing police for an incident on Aug. 2, 2025, in Woodstock. He appeared in provincial court in custody after being arrested on a warrant for failing to attend court and was released with conditions.
Charge withdrawn
Ronald Terry Bowmaster, 37, of Bairdsville, appeared for trial in provincial court on Jan. 30 after pleading not guilty to a charge of breaching his curfew. The Crown withdrew the charge, and the trial was cancelled.
Bowmaster was charged by the RCMP with breaching his release order (curfew) for an incident on March 17, 2024, at Bairdsville.
Sentencing on two charges
Brian Keith Reynolds, 45, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), will appear for sentencing in provincial court on April 28 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by the RCMP.
Reynolds was charged with two counts of resisting arrest on Nov. 1, 2023, and Nov. 27, 2023, at Wotstak; and two counts of breaching a release order for incidents on Dec. 10, 2024, and between Nov. 11 and Nov. 23, 20204, at Wotstak. He pleaded guilty to one count of resisting arrest and one breach charge.
On Jan. 30, he appeared in provincial court for trial on other charges of uttering threats against a female victim, breach of probation, and driving while suspended on Oct. 8, 2023, in Bloomfield; and two charges of assault and assault with a weapon on Aug. 4, 2024, at Wotstak. All of those charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
Plea adjourned
Ronald DeLong, 38, of Wilmot, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 24 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a breach charge laid by the RCMP.
He appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Dec. 8, 2025, on a charge of breaching his curfew on Dec. 6 at Wilmot. He was released with conditions.
He also appeared for trial in provincial court on Dec. 10, 2025, after pleading not guilty to three other charges laid by the RCMP. The trial was adjourned until March 21 at 1:30 p.m.
DeLong was charged with two counts of possession of a stolen motorcycle and possession of ammunition while prohibited following an incident on Aug. 7, 2024, at Wilmot.
Warrant on file
Calvin Joseph Nicholas, 54, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was scheduled to enter a plea in provincial court on Feb. 3 on a charge of failing to report his whereabouts to the national sex offender registry. He failed to appear, and a warrant was held until his next court appearance.
Nicholas was charged with failing to report to the registry on July 14, 2025, in Woodstock. He appeared in provincial court in custody after being arrested on a warrant for failing to attend court.
Nicholas also appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Jan. 6 after pleading guilty to other charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until April 14 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the completion of a pre-sentence report.
Nicholas pleaded guilty to driving while impaired by drugs, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of hydromorphone in connection with an incident on May 30, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
