Sentencing halted on drug charge
Bronwyn Barbara Thomas, 23, of Bloomfield, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 15 to confirm she has legal counsel for a hearing about her request to withdraw her guilty plea on a drug charge.
Thomas told the court she needed another week to line up legal counsel. The matter was adjourned until Nov. 1 at 3 p.m.
On Oct. 4, Thomas appeared for sentencing in provincial court and advised Judge Cameron Gunn she wanted to halt her sentencing and withdraw her guilty plea. Defence Counsel Lindsay Paul then asked to be removed as solicitor of record.
RCMP charged Thomas with attempting to possess two kilograms of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking in connection with an incident on March 2, 2022, at a Canada Post Office near Centreville.
Judge Gunn warned Thomas that her guilty plea had been entered and that she had already agreed to a statement of facts that had been read into the record at her last court appearance. A joint submission on sentencing, as proposed by the crown and defence counsel, was cancelled due to her request to withdraw her guilty plea.
Thomas was expected to receive a two-year federal prison sentence when the proceedings came to a halt. On Nov. 1, she must confirm new counsel and set a date for her application to present legal arguments to have her guilty plea reversed.
To do so, Thomas must prove she was unaware of the allegations and charges, that she was unaware of the effect and consequences of her guilty plea, that her plea was not made voluntarily, and that her plea was equivocal in nature.
Six months house arrest, probation
Lucas Green, 20, of Plymouth Road, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 15 for sentencing on two charges laid by RCMP. He received six months of house arrest and 12 months of probation.
The last three months of his house arrest will involve a curfew. He was also ordered to register with the federal DNA database, and a 10-year prohibition on weapons was imposed.
Green was charged with aggravated assault against another man and committing mischief causing property damage to a vehicle in connection with an incident on Oct. 19, 2023, at Richmond Corner. He pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of assault causing bodily harm. The crown withdrew the mischief charge.
During his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, the court heard another man was sent to hospital for treatment after Green hit him on the head with a hammer. Defence Counsel Lindsay Paul told the court Green struggles with mental health issues. The hammer was forfeited to the crown.
Green also pleaded guilty to uttering threats for another incident on June 15 at Mapledale. The crown withdrew another mischief charge. He received 30 days in jail or time served on the threat charge. He had no prior criminal record.
Green appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 2 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was scheduled to return for plea but was taken back into custody for breaching his release order. He spent time in jail before being released again with an ankle bracelet.
Arrested on new charges
Brandon Levesque, 26, of Gordonsville, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Oct. 15 after being arrested on new charges. He returns to court in custody for a bail hearing on Oct. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Levesque was charged by RCMP with breaching his release order (curfew), assault involving a female victim, assault by choking and assaulting a police officer in connection with an incident on Oct. 11 in Gordonsville.
He also appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 for plea on other charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Levesque appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 5 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him with breaking into a dwelling house and mischief causing property damage to a door on July 30 in Plaster Rock and assault with a weapon (a rock) involving a female victim on July 28 in Plaster Rock.
Neqotkuk couple held in custody
Jennifer Louise Paul, 45, and Nicholas Charles Paul, 46, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 15 and were remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Oct. 16 at 1:30 p.m.
They were each charged with breaching their house arrest concerning an incident on Sept. 26 in the community. A hearing about the breach allegation will be held on Nov. 7 at 1:30 p.m.
Jennifer Paul was sentenced in September to three months of house arrest. She pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle, obstructing police, and possession of a firearm (a rifle) without a licence for an incident on Dec. 3, 2021, at Neqotkuk.
Nicholas Paul was ready for sentencing on other charges when he was arrested on Tuesday along with his wife.
He had already spent several months in custody after pleading guilty to breaching a release order by failing to follow the conditions of electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet) for an incident on May 1 at Neqotkuk, and guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle and breach of probation concerning another incident on June 29, 2023, in Woodstock.
Paul was also sentenced to 12 months of house arrest after pleading guilty to a series of other charges laid by RCMP. His house arrest commenced when he was released from custody.
He has a new sentencing date of Nov. 26 at 1:30 p.m. on three remaining charges of flight from police, and break, enter and theft at a storage shed following an incident on Sept. 4, 2022, at Perth-Andover. He changed his plea to guilty. Paul had a limited prior criminal record.
Held for bail hearing
Braeden Paul Thornton, 28, of Hartland, will appear in provincial court in custody on Oct. 16 at 9:30 a.m. for a bail hearing.
Thornton was arrested by RCMP on the weekend on charges of breaching a peace bond, uttering threats, assault, and assault by choking, theft, and breaching an undertaking. He was remanded to await his bail hearing.
Bath man arrested
Billy Joe Tucker, 42, of Bath, will appear in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Oct. 16 at 9:30 a.m. after being arrested on a warrant.
Tucker was charged with two counts of uttering threats against another man for an incident on July 11, 2022, near Carlow. He was scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 21, but his guilty plea was struck down, and a trial date was set. An arrest warrant was issued when he failed to appear in court for monitoring.
Conditional discharge, probation
Aaron Barclay Moulton, 40, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Oct. 15 after pleading guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. He received a conditional discharge and 12 months of probation.
Moulton was charged with assault, committing mischief causing property damage, possession of a prohibited weapon (a taser), and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace following an incident on April 23, 2023, at Neqotkuk.
He pleaded guilty to mischief for damaging the Tobique Youth Centre and guilty to possession of the taser. The crown withdrew the other weapon charge.
During his sentencing hearing, the court heard he was caught spray-painting the walls of the youth centre. The taser was forfeited to the crown, and Moulton was prohibited from possessing any weapons for 10 years.
Moulton agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond in relation to the assault charge. He cannot return to the youth centre unless he has permission from the staff. He had a prior criminal record.
House arrest for impaired driving
Jean Paul Lutwick, 46, of Richmond Corner, appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Oct. 15 after changing his plea to guilty on an impaired driving charge. He received three months of house arrest, permission to attend work, and 12 months of probation. The last 45 days of his house arrest will involve a curfew.
Lutwick was also prohibited from driving for 18 months. Woodstock Police charged him following a two-vehicle collision on Connell Street on April 6, 2023. The court heard he had two prior convictions for impaired driving. He was ordered to seek counselling as required.
Nine months in jail or time served
Steven Frank Powers, 60, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on Oct. 15 after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by RCMP. He was sentenced to nine months in jail or time served and released.
Powers pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a no-contact order in Plaster Rock on Feb. 16 and Feb. 21. The crown withdrew three other charges.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 20 for a fitness hearing following a second 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche Hospital. He was found fit to stand trial.
Powers was remanded in February for a mental health assessment at the Restigouche Hospital after being arrested by RCMP. He was later transferred back to jail in Madawaska and waived his bail until later. He had a lengthy prior criminal record.
Fined for impaired driving
William Stevenson, 26, of Perth-Andover, was fined $2,000 after pleading guilty on Oct. 15 to impaired driving. He was also prohibited from driving for one year.
RCMP charged Stevenson in connection with a police check stop in Perth-Andover on June 7. He had no prior criminal record.
In custody awaiting plea
Greg McCormick, 35, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 15 for plea on a breach charge laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 29 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
McCormick appeared in court in custody on Sept. 25, only two days after his release. He waived his bail until later and was remanded to jail.
RCMP charged him with breaching his release order by violating electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet). He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 23 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions but allegedly removed his ankle bracelet.
During an earlier court appearance, McCormick was charged with breach of a no-contact order, two counts of assault with a weapon (bear spray and a box cutter), breach of a release order, and possession of a prohibited weapon (bear spray) following an incident on Sept. 21 at Wotstak. He has a limited prior record.
McCormick appeared in provincial court on June 25 and pleaded not guilty to other separate charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for June 23, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
McCormick was charged with two counts of mischief causing property damage (a window and a vehicle) and indictable arson involving a vehicle in connection with an incident on July 16, 2023, at Wotstak.
He also appeared in provincial court on April 23 and pleaded not guilty to two more charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for May 2, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
McCormick was charged with assaulting another man while carrying a weapon (a knife) and uttering threats following an incident on Feb. 15 at Wotstak. He was arrested and later released on a release order.
Pair jointly charged with offence
Avory Saige Vatali, 22, and Alexander Timothy Gordon Jansen, 22, both of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m. 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 concerning a recent incident in Woodstock. They appeared in court on Oct. 15 when the matter was set over for plea to the new date.
Charged with manufacturing firearms
Kevin Manuel Cedros, 42, of Aroostook Junction, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 15 to answer 10 charges related to the manufacture of firearms using a 3D printer. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct.29 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Cedros appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 5 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Cedros was also placed under house arrest. He was ordered to reside in Aroostook Junction and follow a curfew. Police will be checking on him regularly, the judge said, and all 3D printer software and supplies were to be surrendered to the authorities immediately.
RCMP arrested Cedros after police received a report on Aug. 15 about a person manufacturing and selling 3D-printed firearms at a residence on Route 130 in Aroostook. Search warrants were executed, and police uncovered 3D-printed firearms, ammunition, numerous firearm parts, a 3D printer, prohibited magazines and electronic devices.
Arthurette man awaiting plea
Nicholas William Sutthery, 40, of Arthurette, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 15 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Sutthery was denied bail on Oct. 3. He was charged by RCMP with three counts of uttering threats at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) on Sept. 25, assault with a weapon (ramming a vehicle), dangerous driving, break and enter at a dwelling house, and possession of a stolen ATV on May 27 in Perth Andover, and breach of an undertaking on July 16.
During an earlier court appearance, Sutthery was charged with possessing a stolen truck in connection with an incident between Jan. 1 and Jan. 11 at Carlingford. He had a dated prior criminal record.
Sentencing adjourned on assault charges
Matthew McGrath, 30, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on Oct. 15 after changing his plea to guilty on charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing date was adjourned until Oct. 24 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for submitting a victim impact statement.
McGrath was charged by RCMP with assault involving a female victim, uttering threats, resisting arrest and breach of probation in connection with an incident on June 26-27 at Plaster Rock.
He also pleaded guilty to failing to appear in court in Edmundston on May 28 and mischief causing property damage to the Madawaska jail sprinkler system on May 11. He was denied bail on these charges. The court is waiting for a victim impact statement about damage sustained at the institution.
Following his arrest in June, McGrath was remanded to the Restigouche hospital for a mental health assessment until July 10. He is expected to receive a sentence of time served.
In custody awaiting plea
Bradley Tyler Whitney, 42, of Newbridge, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 15 for plea on multiple charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Whitney appeared in court in custody by video on Aug. 26 and was denied bail. He was charged with forging a doctor’s prescription for Dilaudid on July 30 in Woodstock; breaking into a dwelling house on Slipp Street, uttering threats, and breach of probation on July 14; assaulting a female victim, uttering threats and breach of probation on Aug. 24 in Woodstock; and assault with a weapon (a torch) involving a female victim between July 1-28 in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with any of the complainants.
Whitney was also charged with using counterfeit money and fraud concerning a Jan. 1 incident at Newbridge. He was released on an undertaking at that time and then arrested on more charges. He had a limited prior criminal record.
In federal prison awaiting plea
Ryan Eccleston, 32, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video from federal prison on Oct. 15 to answer two charges laid by RCMP.
Eccleston was charged with being at large on a release order and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking. He returns to court in custody for plea on Nov. 19 at 11 a.m.
Eccleston was sentenced in 2021 to four years in federal penitentiary after pleading guilty to 11 charges laid by RCMP. He was paroled and then returned to prison on the new charges.
Carlingford woman returning for plea
Kortney Boyer, 32, of Carlingford, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 15 to answer an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
RCMP charged Boyer with assaulting a female victim stemming from an incident on March 18 at Bairdsville. She was released on an undertaking until her next court appearance.
Warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Lisa McGratten, 38, of Perth-Andover, after she failed to appear in provincial court on Oct. 15 to answer a breach charge.
McGratten appeared in provincial court on Oct. 8 to answer a separate charge of mischief. That matter was diverted to the alternative measures program.
McGratten was charged by RCMP with mischief causing property damage to a garage door concerning an incident on April 6 near Rowena. She has until Jan. 14, 2025, to complete the program requirements and have the charge withdrawn.
Woodstock man attending rehab
Jack Michael Pirie, 20, of Woodstock, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Oct. 15 to answer charges laid by Woodstock Police. The court heard he had entered a rehab facility in Moncton for three months, so the matter was adjourned for plea until Jan. 28, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged Pirie with assault, assault by choking and uttering threats in connection with an incident on May 1-2 in Woodstock.
He was also charged with assaulting police with intent to resist arrest on June 8 in Woodstock. Pirie appeared in provincial court in custody on June 10 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
Trial set on two charges
Cindy Demerchant, 53, of Lower Kintore, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 15 and pleaded not guilty to two charges related to a break-in at the local Tim Hortons. Her trial date was set for Aug. 22, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Demerchant was charged by RCMP with break and enter and theft of food and money from Tim Hortons in Perth Andover on May 9.
Not-guilty plea on firearm charges
Tyler Tibbits, 29, of Richmond Corner, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 15 and pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Sept. 5, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Tibbits was charged with two counts of pointing a firearm at another person and possession of a firearm without a licence in connection with an incident on Dec. 23, 2023, at Mapledale.
Charged with assault
Joey Spencer, 37, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 15 for plea on an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 30 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
RCMP charged Spencer with assault involving a female victim stemming from an incident on June 29 at Perth-Andover.
Plea pending on one charge
Stephen Manfred Spiegler, 60, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 15 for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Spiegler was charged with driving while suspended and shoplifting at the Atlantic Superstore following incidents on Feb. 9 and Feb. 26 in Woodstock.
The shoplifting charge was moved to the alternative measures program. He returns for plea on the driving charge on Oct. 30 at 1:30 p.m.
Warrant on file
Caleb Crain, 40, of Piercemont, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Oct. 15 to confirm he has legal counsel to proceed to trial. He failed to appear for monitoring and a warrant will be held on file until his next court appearance.
Crain pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. His trial was rescheduled for Dec. 20 at 1:30 p.m. to allow him time to secure new legal counsel.
Crain was charged with assault causing bodily harm to a female victim, unlawful confinement, and uttering threats following an incident on Dec. 10, 2022, near Florenceville-Bristol.
Trial adjourned until April
Amit Mann, 40, of Woodstock, has a new trial date in the spring on an impaired driving charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Mann was scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 30 after pleading not guilty to the charge. On Tuesday, the trial date was moved to April 30, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his new defence counsel. Mann was charged in connection with an incident on Feb. 11, 2023, in Woodstock.
Sentencing reset for impaired driving
Ronald Johnston, 68, of Lincoln, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Oct. 15 after changing his plea to guilty on an impaired driving charge.
The sentencing was adjourned until Nov. 5 at 1:30 p.m. Johnston was charged by RCMP following an incident on July 16, 2021, in Perth-Andover.
