Assault charges for couple caught at the U.S. border
Takoda Louis Lee Christian, 19, of Woodstock, formerly of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 to answer three charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged Christian with aggravated assault, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident following an incident outside the Royal Canadian Legion in Woodstock on Nov. 14, 2024, around 8:55 p.m. Police were called to the scene, and a man was transported to hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Christian and a co-accused, Hannah McGuire, 18, were arrested on a warrant on Dec. 20, 2024, while attempting to cross the Woodstock-Houlton border. They were held in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 23, 2024, and released with conditions. McGuire returns to court for plea on Jan. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Lakeville man held for bail hearing
Brycen Trae Stewart, 28, of Lakeville, was arrested on warrants and appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14. He was remanded into custody to await a bail hearing on Jan. 16 at 1:30 p.m.
Woodstock Police charged Stewart with dangerous driving, fleeing police, and breaching his curfew on Dec. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. He was also charged with breaching a no-contact order on Jan. 13.
A warrant was issued for Stewart’s arrest after he failed to appear in court to answer charges on Dec. 10, 2024. He also failed to appear in court on Oct. 30, 2024, and an arrest warrant was issued at that time.
He was charged with two counts of breaching his release order (curfew) concerning incidents on Sept. 24 and Oct. 8, 2024, in Woodstock. He appeared in court in custody via teleconference on Oct. 22, 2024, and was released with conditions.
He was also charged with breaking into a dwelling house on May 25, 2024, in Killoween and possessing a stolen vehicle on Aug. 4, 2023, in Lakeville. He is still awaiting plea on those charges as well.
In custody awaiting trial
Hilton Romeo Fredericks, 26, of Kirkland, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on Jan. 13 and told the court he intended to change his plea to guilty on charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Jan. 15 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him to consult legal counsel.
Fredericks has been in jail in Saint John for the past several months following remand for aggravated assault on a minor in Fredericton. His trial is set for March.
Woodstock Police charged Fredericks with breaching a release order stemming from an incident between Feb. 16 and March 16, 2024, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew that charge on Jan. 13.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 7, 2024, and was released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was later arrested in Fredericton.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 15, 2024, to answer another charge of breaching his release order. On April 13, 2024, Woodstock Police charged him with being at large on a release order. He was wearing an ankle bracelet at the time. He waived his bail on April 18, 2024, and was remanded.
He appeared in provincial court in custody on April 11, 2024, for a bail hearing on a charge of breaching his release order. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Woodstock Police charged him with breaching his release order by being at large at a Woodstock residence and by violating a no-contact order on April 6, 2024.
Fredericks appeared in court in custody on April 4, 2024, and was charged with assaulting another man concerning an incident on April 2, 2024, in Woodstock. He was released with conditions but returned to custody.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody on March 18, 2024, on a charge of breaching his release order laid by Woodstock Police. He was released with conditions at that time but was re-arrested.
Fredericks appeared in provincial court on March 12, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to two other charges laid by Woodstock Police. Woodstock Police charged him with assault involving a female victim and breach of an undertaking in connection with an incident on Jan. 23, 2024, in Woodstock. He was brought into custody on Jan. 26, 2024, and spent the weekend in jail.
Decision pending in sexual assault
Maurice Joseph Rossignol, 68, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m. for a verdict following his trial for sexual assault.
Rossignol appeared for trial in provincial court on Oct. 23, 2024, after pleading not guilty to sexual assault. Woodstock Police charged him in connection with an incident on Aug. 30, 2023, in Woodstock.
During the trial, the court heard Rossignol allegedly grabbed a woman by the breast and genitals when he came to her apartment to request repayment of a $45 loan. Rossignol denied the allegations and testified he left immediately after she refused to pay him. The woman told the court she screamed when he grabbed her and then kicked him out.
Sentencing set on two charges
Edward Hayes Jr., 29, of Benton, appeared for sentencing in provincial court in custody on Jan. 13 for sentencing after pleading guilty to two charges. The matter was adjourned until Jan. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of the crown.
Hayes pleaded guilty to flight from police and breach of probation, shoplifting at the Superstore in Grand Falls on May 24, 2023, and breach of probation on March 14, 2023, in Grand Falls.
He also appeared in custody by video on Oct. 3, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to several charges laid by the RCMP. His trial dates were set for Jan. 17, Jan. 30, and Feb. 6, all at 9:30 a.m.
Hayes was denied bail. He was charged with refusing a breathalyzer demand, resisting arrest, assaulting two police officers, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, assault on a female victim, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, and driving while prohibited in connection with an incident on Aug. 27, 2024, at Centreville.
Sentenced to 12.5 months in jail
John Long, 35, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 13 for sentencing on several charges. He was handed 12.5 months in jail, minus time served and 12 months of probation.
Long was also ordered to undergo mental health counselling and register with the federal DNA database. The court also imposed a firearms prohibition.
Long appeared in court on Jan. 12, 2024, for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail. He was charged with two counts of breaching a release order and breach of probation concerning a Jan. 5, 2024, incident in Woodstock.
He changed his plea to guilty to one charge of breaching his release order by violating electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet), and the crown withdrew the other two charges.
On Jan. 13, Long also pleaded guilty to assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest and uttering threats at the Madawaska jail on Jan. 6, 2024, and guilty to mischief causing property damage to the jail sprinkler system on Dec. 10, 2023.
The court heard he finished serving another sentence on other separate charges in October 2024 and, therefore, had three months of remand time to be applied to his new sentence. Long has a lengthy prior criminal record.
Released with conditions
Joshua Desroches, 20, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 13 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on April 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged Desroches with assault in connection with an incident on July 10, 2024, in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court on April 16, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to two other charges. His trial date was set for April 2, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Desroches with breach of an undertaking by violating a no-contact order stemming from an incident on Sept. 25, 2023, near Woodstock. He was arrested and later released from custody with conditions with an order to attend court and have no contact with the complainant. The court heard he also has other charges in Fredericton.
Desroches appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on March 21, 2024, and was released with conditions. He was arrested on a warrant and charged with failing to appear in court on Feb. 13, 2024.
Pair jointly charged with offence
Avory Saige Vatali, 22, and Alexander Timothy Gordon Jansen, 22, both of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 to answer a charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Vatali and Jansen were jointly charged with failing to provide the necessities of life to another person in connection with a recent incident in Woodstock. The matter was adjourned for plea until Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m. Before their next court appearance, Vatali was ordered to undergo a mental health assessment.
Guilty plea for privacy invasion
Dale Boyle, 70, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 and pleaded guilty to one charge laid by RCMP. His sentencing date was set for April 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Boyle pleaded guilty to making a visual recording of another person without their consent when there was a reasonable expectation for privacy for an incident between Feb. 1 and Aug. 10, 2024, at Plaster Rock. The court heard the charges involved two victims. The crown ordered a pre-sentence report and victim impact statements.
Woodstock woman to stand trial
Lisa Barrett, 49, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. Her trial date was set for Dec. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Barrett was charged with uttering threats and obstructing the course of justice for an incident on Aug. 24, 2024, at Wicklow. She was released on an undertaking until her next court appearance.
Limestone woman gets trial date
Brandi Cowper, 46, of Limestone, will appear for trial in provincial court on Dec. 15 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to one charge laid by RCMP.
Cowper was charged with obstructing the course of justice concerning an incident on Aug. 10, 2024, in Jackson Falls. She was scheduled to attend court on Jan. 14 for plea and did not appear but was represented by defence counsel via teleconference.
Released on an undertaking
Derek Oliver, 34, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 and pleaded not guilty to one charge laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Nov. 3 at 1:30 p.m.
Oliver was charged with breaking and entering into a garage in Hartland on Aug. 9, 2024. He was released on an undertaking and ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Glassville man has two charges
Adam Luc Joseph Thibodeau of Glassville appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 for monitoring about his trial after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for July 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Thibodeau was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle and possession of a stolen licence plate in connection with an incident on April 9, 2024, in Woodstock. He was released on an undertaking until his trial.
Plaster Rock man charged with assault
Philip Campbell, 34, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 and pleaded not guilty to two charges. His trial date was set for Dec. 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Campbell was charged by RCMP with breach of an undertaking and assault involving a female victim in connection with an incident on Oct. 6, 2024, at Perth-Andover. A monitoring date for his trial was set for March 11 at 9:30 a.m.
Not-guilty plea for Neqotkuk man
Thomas Perley of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 for monitoring about his trial after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for May 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Perley was charged with refusing a breathalyzer and leaving the scene of an accident stemming from an incident on March 29, 2024, at Neqotkuk. He confirmed he has legal counsel to proceed to trial.
Plea adjourned to new date
Brittany Priscilla King, 27, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 to answer one charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
King appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 10. She was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing and was released with conditions on Dec. 20.
Woodstock Police charged King with breach of a release order by violating electronic monitoring between Dec. 7 and Dec. 9, 2024, in Woodstock. She is also awaiting trial on other separate matters.
King was charged by Woodstock Police with assault with a weapon (a knife), assault causing bodily harm to a male victim, theft, and unlawful entry at a dwelling house, concerning an incident on Nov. 5, 2023, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial dates were rescheduled for April 14 and April 24 at 9:30 a.m.
She was also charged with possessing a stolen vehicle, dangerous driving, committing mischief causing property damage and assault using a vehicle following an incident on Sept. 17, 2023, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was adjourned until May 8.
King was also charged with possessing a stolen vehicle on Nov. 22, 2022, and failing to attend court on Feb. 21, 2023. She pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for April 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Awaiting plea on several charges
Logan Estey, 20, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 to answer multiple charges. The matter was adjourned for plea until Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Estey was charged by RCMP with assault, assault with a weapon (a car), and dangerous driving following an incident on July 24, 2024, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation).
Woodstock Police charged him with two counts of breaching a no-contact order concerning an incident on Aug. 3, 2024, in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no further contact with the complainant. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 8, 2024, and was released with conditions.
He was also charged with mischief causing property damage to a window and possession of a firearm to commit an offence in connection with an incident on Jan. 1, 2024, in Upper Woodstock. The court heard Estey is also facing more charges in Fredericton.
Charged with drug trafficking
Charles Giberson, 46, of Rothesay, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 to answer a charge of drug trafficking laid by Woodstock Police.
Giberson was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, stemming from an incident on July 24, 2024, in Woodstock. He was released on an undertaking and returns to court for plea on Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Arrest warrant issued
An arrest warrant was issued for Christopher Thomas O’Keefe, 27, of Fredericton, formerly of Fielding, after he failed to appear in court on Jan. 14 to answer a sex charge.
O’Keefe was charged by RCMP with sexual assault in connection with an incident on Feb. 26, 2023, at Upper Brighton.
Trial date set
Gary Ross, 45, of Richmond Settlement, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 to set a date for his trial on an assault charge.
RCMP charged Ross with assaulting another man following an incident on Feb. 22, 2024, at Perth-Andover. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
He told the court the charge was bogus, and the alleged complainant was no longer in the area. A monitoring date was set for March 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Facing weapons charges
London Murchison, 19, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Murchison was charged with assault with a weapon (a knife) and possession of a prohibited weapon (a butterfly knife) concerning an incident on Sept. 2, 2024, at Plaster Rock. He was released on an undertaking until his next court date.
Neqotkuk man awaiting trial
Shawn Carmichael, 63, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Dec. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Carmichael was charged with assault involving a female victim and assault with a weapon in relation to an incident on Oct. 4, 2024, at Neqotkuk. He was released on an undertaking until his next court date.
Awaiting plea on assault charge
Tristan Alexander Calhoun, 38, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 for plea on an assault charge. The matter was adjourned until Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Woodstock Police charged Calhoun with assaulting a woman, stemming from an incident between March 31 and Oct. 30, 2024, in Woodstock. He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
Charged with breaching curfew
Ronald Terry Bowmaster, 37, of Bairdsville, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 to answer a charge of breaching his curfew. The matter was adjourned for plea until Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Bowmaster was charged by RCMP with breaching his release order (curfew) for an incident on March 17, 2024, at Bairdsville.
Returning for plea
Joshua Sisson, 37, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Sisson was charged with attempted break and enter and mischief causing property damage to a shed on Sept. 24, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
Beechwood man waives bail
Clay Hargrove, 30, of Beechwood, will appear in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 16 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on charges laid by RCMP.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Dec. 17, 2024, and waived his bail.
Hargrove was charged by RCMP with possession of stolen vehicle, flight from police, driving while prohibited and driving while suspended following an incident on Dec. 8, 2024, at Tobique Narrows.
He was also charged with breaking into a cabin, theft, and mischief causing property damage to a door in relation to a separate incident.
More charges of aggravated assault involving a male victim, and possession of a stolen motorcycle were also laid for an incident on Aug. 27, 2024, at Upper Kent.
Plea delayed on several charges
Mitchell LaFrance, 26, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Jan. 21 at 1:30 p.m.
LaFrance appeared in court in custody by video on Dec. 16, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him in connection with an alleged breach of his house arrest on Dec. 7, 2024.
RCMP also charged LaFrance with breaching a no-contact order for an incident on Sept. 21, 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol. He also faces a charge of assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim stemming from an incident on July 19, 2024, at Carlingford.
LaFrance also appeared for trial in provincial court on Oct. 10, 2024, and changed his plea to guilty on two other charges laid by RCMP. He returns to court for sentencing on Jan. 21 at 1:30 p.m.
LaFrance pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking by failing to comply with a no-contact order on Oct. 2, 2023, at East Brighton.
He also pleaded guilty to criminal harassment for incidents between Aug. 28 and Sept. 25, 2023, in Lower Brighton, involving the same female complainant. The court heard he tried to contact the same female victim hundreds of times by phone, text message, and on Facebook. The crown withdrew a threat charge.
Awaiting plea in knife incident
Chelsea Sacobie, 31, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge.
Sacobie was charged by RCMP with assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a male victim following an incident on Oct. 10, 2024, at Perth-Andover. She appeared in court on Jan. 14 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Senior facing two charges
Ursel Wagner Estabrooks, 71, of Wilmot, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 14 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. Her trial date was set for Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m.
Estabrooks was charged with impaired driving and dangerous driving stemming from an incident on Aug. 18, 2024, at St. Thomas.
Awaiting new trial date
Trevor Lee Crain, 49, of Killoween, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 11 at 9:30 a.m. to set new dates for his trial after pleading not guilty to multiple charges laid by RCMP.
Crain was scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 14. Defence Counsel Tim Dube appeared on his behalf and requested the matters be adjourned to Feb. 11.
The RCMP charged Crain with possessing a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), resisting arrest, and breach of a release order in connection with an incident on July 1, 2024, at Killoween. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing in August and was released with conditions.
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. Dube agreed with that date.
He also faces a charge of possessing stolen property for a separate incident on May 5, 2024. He pleaded not guilty and a trial date will be set at his next court appearance.
RCMP charged Crain with breaking and entering at a dwelling house and breaching an undertaking on June 15, 2023, at Moose Mountain, and committing an assault involving a female victim on June 11, 2023, at Killoween.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 14, 2023, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was ordered to follow a curfew and report to the police weekly as part of his release order but was brought back into custody.
Warrant on file
Kyle Laurie Williams, 35, of Clearview, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Jan. 14 for monitoring about his trial. He did not appear, and a warrant was held on file.
The court heard the trial will proceed with court-appointed counsel for cross-examination. Williams’ trial was rescheduled Feb. 26 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged him with transmitting intimate images without consent concerning an incident on June 4, 2023, at Centreville. Williams entered his not-guilty plea during a court appearance on Jan. 9, 2024.
Released on an undertaking
Paul Allingham, 48, of Enterprise in Victoria County, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m. to answer an assault charge.
Allingham was charged with assaulting another man in connection with an incident on Sept. 17, 2024, near Plaster Rock. He appeared in court on Jan. 14 when the matter was adjourned for plea to the new date at the request of his defence counsel. He was released on an undertaking until that time.
In custody awaiting sentence
Brandon Jay Smith, 26, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading guilty to charges laid by RCMP.
Smith appeared in court on April 4, 2024, for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail. The RCMP charged him with breaking into a dwelling and stealing firearms on July 3, 2023, in Summerfield.
He was also charged with break, enter and theft at a dwelling house, breaking into a garage, and theft of a trailer related to an incident on March 18, 2024, on the Back Greenfield Road. One of the charges was withdrawn by the crown.
Sentencing adjourned
Gavin Schloemer, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court for sentencing on Feb. 4 at 1:30 p.m. on several charges laid by RCMP.
Schloemer was scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on Jan. 14, but his defence counsel requested that the matter be adjourned to a new date. The court heard that Schloemer was in the hospital and could not attend.
Schloemer appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Sept. 27, 2024, and was released with conditions. He was charged with breaching a release order (house arrest) in connection with an incident on Sept. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 8, 2024.
He also appeared in provincial court on June 17, 2024, and pleaded guilty to three other charges laid by RCMP.
Schloemer pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and assaulting police on June 21, 2024, at Neqotkuk, and assaulting police on June 21, 2024, at Williamstown. The crown withdrew another charge of failing to appear in court.
Decision pending on two charges
Gabriel John Tomah, 21, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Jan. 15 at 9:30 a.m. for a decision following his trial on two charges laid by RCMP.
Tomah was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats in connection with an incident on Oct. 1, 2023, at Neqotkuk. He pleaded not guilty. Testimony at the trial continued throughout the day on Dec. 18, 2024.
Plea scheduled for Ontario man
Ryan James Dunford, 43, of London, Ontario, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 28 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Dunford was charged with mischief causing property damage to a vehicle on June 21, 2024, in Woodstock. He was released on an undertaking and entered a rehab facility in Ontario.
Glassville man to stand trial
Christopher Demerchant, 44, of Glassville, will appear for trial in provincial court on May 28 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP.
Demerchant was charged with uttering threats involving a female victim and forcible entry concerning an incident on March 10, 2024, at Mount Pleasant. He was also charged with prowling at night at a dwelling house in Mount Pleasant on March 5, 2024.
He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on June 11, 2024. Defence Counsel James Crocco appeared in court on Jan. 14 and confirmed Demerchant will be ready to proceed to trial.
Neqotkuk woman pleads not guilty
Maurene Anne Nicholas, 48, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for trial in provincial court on May 7 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to an assault charge.
RCMP charged Nicholas with assaulting another woman near Perth-Andover on Oct. 28, 2022. On Jan. 14, the court heard Nicholas was still awaiting legal counsel to proceed to trial.
11 months in jail or time served
Jordan Perley, 36, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 24 for sentencing on charges laid by RCMP.
He was sentenced to 11 months in jail or time served and released. Perley was also placed on two years of probation. The court also imposed a lifetime prohibition on firearms.
Perley was denied bail in June. He pleaded guilty to breaking into a dwelling house with intent to commit an assault with a weapon (a stick), mischief causing property damage, and uttering threats concerning an incident on May 17, 2024, at Neqotkuk. The crown withdrew five other charges.
Perley also pleaded guilty to mischief causing property damage to a door and window on Jan. 1, 2024, at Neqotkuk, and guilty to mischief and possession of a prohibited weapon (a butterfly knife), on March 18, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
He also pleaded guilty to failing to appear in court on April 9, 2024. The crown withdrew four other charges. Perley has a prior criminal record.
During the sentencing hearing, the court heard Perley went on a drug-fuelled rampage that involved a cluster of incidents over a period of months.
Crown Prosecutor Charles Couturier explained Perley was causing trouble for his neighbours, and his actions eventually ended in a home invasion and violent assault on a woman at an apartment building on May 17, 2024.
The crown also suggested Perley seek counselling for mental health and substance abuse. The butterfly knife seized by police is to be forfeited to the crown.
Defence Counsel Lindsay Paul said Perley was remorseful for his crimes, noting he did not intend to hurt anyone during his rampage through the community. She contended Perley was on drugs and out of control when the incidents occurred. He was sober for the last several months while in custody.
Couple facing trafficking charges
A Neqotkuk couple appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 14 for plea on multiple charges laid by RCMP.
Nicholas Paul, 47, and his wife, Jennifer Louise Paul, 45, were arrested at Tobique First Nation. They return to court in custody on Jan. 28 at 9:30 a.m. for monitoring and plea on trafficking charges.
Jennifer Paul was denied bail in December. She was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of stolen property (cash), possession of a prohibited firearm (a sawed-off shotgun) without a licence, and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried it a firearm for an incident on Sept. 25, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
Nicholas Paul was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of stolen property (cash) for an incident on Oct. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk. He will appear in court in custody by video on Jan. 23 at 9:30 a.m. for a bail hearing.
At the time of their arrest, they were each charged by RCMP with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking for an incident on Oct. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
Jennifer Paul was also charged with breach of a release order (no weapons), possession of a stolen licence plate, and possession of a prohibited weapon (a collapsible baton) without a licence on Oct. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She pleaded not guilty and has trial dates in April.
Nicholas Paul was also charged with breach of a release order and driving while prohibited on Sept. 22-24, 2024, at Neqotkuk, and breach of a release order (no drugs), possession of ammunition while prohibited, and possession of a stolen licence plate on Oct. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
Charges transferred to Ontario
Two Polish immigrants were scheduled to appear in provincial court in Woodstock by video on Jan. 14 for monitoring after pleading guilty to charges laid by RCMP. They were represented in court by legal counsel via teleconference.
Jan Kaminski, 53, and Monika Kwiatkowska, 44, of Etobicoke, Ontario, were jointly charged by RCMP with four counts of theft. They were released from custody on July 25, 2024, on a $1,000 bail bond and ordered to immediately return to their Ontario residence under house arrest.
On Nov. 26, 2024, their legal counsel requested the charges be transferred to Ontario. The court heard the transfer was still being processed so another monitoring date was set for March 25 at 9:30 a.m. to ensure the transfer occurs.
The theft charges were laid following a series of shoplifting incidents at Best Home Hardware stores in Florenceville-Bristol and Hartland on March 5, at Best Home Hardware in Florenceville-Bristol on July 3, 2024, and at Brennan Home Hardware in Florenceville-Bristol on July 20, 2024.
During their court appearance on Sept. 19, 2024, a new charge of breaching a release order was laid against each of them for failing to report to the police.
Kaminski and Kwiatkowska were arrested in connection with numerous thefts in New Brunswick and across Canada including Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia.
They allegedly advertised items for sale online via Facebook Marketplace and on Amazon. Once an interested buyer was identified, the two accused made a list of items and proceeded to steal them from different businesses. They would then immediately ship the items to the buyer. Police were actively working to determine if there were other victims.
