Sentencing adjourned in drug trafficking case
Two women from Grand Falls appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 for sentencing on multiple counts of drug trafficking.
Lori Guest and her daughter, Amber Gaunce, were each charged by RCMP with possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, nabilone, clonazepam, and magic mushrooms, all for the purpose of trafficking in connection with an incident on March 2, 2023, in Grand Falls.
Guest changed her plea to guilty on the trafficking charges, and Gaunce pleaded guilty to one count of possession of magic mushrooms. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 29 at 1:30 p.m., when a new date for their sentencing will be set. The crown requested the adjournment due to a disclosure issue.
Wotstak man arrested on new charges
Greg McCormick, 35, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 23 for a bail hearing on new charges laid by RCMP.
He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He returns to court for plea on Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m.
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.
Plea adjourned to new date
Trevor Gerald McDougall, 32, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 24 for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 1 at 1:30 p.m.
McDougall told the court he wanted to plead guilty and proceed to sentencing. When he heard there would be a three-month delay for the submission of a victim impact statement, he refused to proceed and fired his legal counsel. Judge Karen Lee said she could not accept his plea and adjourned the matter to the new date so he could seek new legal advice and obtain disclosure on the file.
McDougall appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 4 and was denied bail. He was charged with breach of a release order on Aug. 31 in Woodstock, two counts of breaching an emergency intervention order on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, and breach of a no-contact order on Sept. 1.
McDougall was also charged by Woodstock Police with assault involving a female victim on July 26 and then uttering threats and assaulting the same woman on Aug. 21 at a residence in Woodstock. He has a dated prior criminal record.
East Brighton man charged with attempted murder
Ozzie Jr. Trecartin, 30, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 for plea on several charges related to an alleged attempted murder in East Brighton. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Trecartin appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on July 30 and was released from custody with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was released under a $1,000 bail bond and is residing at a residence in Peel. He was ordered to have no firearms in his possession. He must also have no contact with the alleged victim.
RCMP charged Trecartin with attempted murder, reckless discharge of a firearm at a place while a person was inside, two counts of indictable assault against another man, uttering threats, resisting arrest, possession of a firearm without a licence, and storage of multiple guns in a careless manner following an incident on July 21 at East Brighton. He was also charged with impaired driving and driving while suspended on the same date in Peel.
Woodstock woman charged
Dynielle Allison Demerchant, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 to answer two new charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Demerchant was charged with identity theft (cards) and possession of methamphetamine concerning an incident on May 2 in Woodstock. She returns to court for plea on Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
She will also appear for trial in provincial court on Nov. 1 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two other charges. Demerchant was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a prohibited weapon (a switchblade) in connection with an incident on Dec. 22, 2022, in Woodstock. She entered her not-guilty plea at a court appearance on March 12.
Held for bail hearing
Mitchell LaFrance of Perth-Andover appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 23 after being arrested on the weekend. He was remanded for a bail hearing on Sept. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged LaFrance with breaching a no-contact order for an incident on Sept. 21 at Florenceville-Bristol.
He also appeared in provincial court on Sept. 17 to answer an assault charge laid by the RCMP. At the request of his defence counsel, the matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
LaFrance was charged with assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim stemming from an incident on July 19 at Carlingford.
He also appeared in provincial court in December on several other charges laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged him with breaching an undertaking by failing to comply with a no-contact order in connection with an incident involving a female victim on Oct. 2, 2023, at East Brighton. He was also charged with uttering threats and criminal harassment for incidents between Aug. 28 and Sept. 25, 2023, involving the same complainant.
Charged with manufacturing firearms
Kevin Manuel Cedros, 42, of Aroostook Junction, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 to answer 10 charges related to the manufacture of firearms using a 3D printer. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 15 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 live at a residence in Aroostook Junction and follow a curfew. The judge said police would check on him regularly, and all 3D printer software and supplies were to be surrendered to the authorities immediately.
RCMP arrested Cedros after receiving 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.
In custody awaiting plea
Bradley Tyler Whitney, 42, of Newbridge, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 24 for plea on multiple charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal 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 has a limited prior criminal record.
Neqotkuk man awaits bail hearing
Gavin Schloemer, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Sept. 24. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Sept. 27 at 1:30 p.m.
Schloemer was charged with breaching a release order (house arrest) in connection with an incident on Sept. 23 at Neqotkuk.
He also appeared in provincial court on June 17 and pleaded guilty to three other charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing date was set for Oct. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
Schloemer pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and assaulting police on June 21 at Neqotkuk and assaulting police on June 21 at Williamstown. The crown withdrew another charge of failing to appear in court.
Returning for plea
Brandon Levesque, 26, of Gordonsville, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 for plea on 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.
As part of his release, he was ordered to have no contact with the complainants and cannot have any firearms in his possession.
Trial dates set
Matthew Gregory Parker, 40, of Aroostook, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 25 to answer multiple charges laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty on all counts and trial dates were set for July 3, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., July 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. and July 9, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Parker was charged with assault involving a female victim, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, resisting arrest on June 30 at Florenceville-Bristol, and breaking into a dwelling house and three counts of breaching an undertaking for another incident on Aug. 11 at Florenceville-Bristol.
He appeared in court in custody on Aug. 9 and was released with conditions.
Bustard to stand trial
Mason Bustard, 18, of Woodstock, appeared in court in custody by video on Sept. 24 and pleaded not guilty to a series of charges laid by Woodstock Police.
His trial dates were set for Jan. 6, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., Jan. 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. and Feb. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was also set for Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m.
Bustard was denied bail on Aug. 8. He was charged with break and enter at a dwelling house and two counts of assault on July 27; breach of a release order, possession of prohibited weapons (a sawed-off shotgun and brass knuckles), possession of a firearm without a licence, and possession of a loaded prohibited firearm and ammunition without a licence on July 28; and uttering threats and causing injury to an animal (a dog) by kicking it on July 24.
Police made their arrest after spotting a suspect on Houlton Street around noon on July 28. The individual fled on a bicycle into the woods and was pursued by officers on foot. During the chase, the suspect discarded various items, including a sawed-off shotgun, brass knuckles, and a mask, which were retrieved later by an RCMP police dog.
On July 17, Bustard appeared in court in custody on other separate charges and was released with conditions. He was scheduled to return to court for a plea on Aug. 13 when he was rearrested.
Woodstock Police charged him with breaking into a garage on Houlton Street, wearing a mask during the commission of an offence, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (a knife), assault with a weapon, and criminal harassment.
Bustard was arrested after police received a report of an armed intruder who entered a yard on Houlton Street on the morning of July 16 and approached a woman while holding a knife. The man’s face was partially covered with a mask or scarf.
He instructed the woman to go inside her house. She immediately complied and locked the door behind her. The man then went inside her garage before eventually leaving the area.
Trial date confirmed
Chad Evans Cote, 45, of Anfield, Victoria County, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 for monitoring about his trial on two charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was confirmed for March 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Cote was charged with assaulting another man and uttering threats following an incident on Nov. 12, 2023, at Perth-Andover. He pleaded not guilty. Another monitoring date for his trial was also set for Jan. 31, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Resolution being sought
Eric Vrieze, 47, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Vrieze was charged with assaulting police with a weapon (a knife), possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and resisting arrest concerning an incident on May 6 at Hartland. The matter was adjourned at that time to allow the accused to enter a rehab facility. On Sept. 24, Defence Counsel Lindsay Paul told the court she was seeking a resolution with the crown to resolve the matter.
Another trial date set for Crain
Trevor Lee Crain, 49, of Killoween, will appear for trial in provincial court on July 25, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP.
Crain was charged with breaking into a residence and committing sexual assault for an incident between May 1 and May 23, 2023, in Carleton North. His trial date was set at a court appearance on Sept. 24.
He was also 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 at Killoween. He pleaded not guilty and his trial was set for Jan. 31, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
He also faces a charge of possessing stolen property for a separate incident on May 5. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Jan. 31, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Crain was scheduled to appear for trial on July 11 after pleading not guilty to a series of other charges. A new trial date was set for Dec. 27 at 9:30 a.m.
Crain was charged by RCMP with break and enter 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.
Crain appeared in court in custody by video on Aug. 15 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
In federal prison awaiting plea
Ryan Eccleston, 32, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video from federal prison on Sept. 24 to answer two new 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 Oct. 15 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 Sept. 24 to answer an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 15 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.
Trial scheduled on two charges
Hunter Lee-Hamilton, 22, of Lower Brighton, will appear for trial in provincial court on July 11, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Lee-Hamilton was charged with committing mischief causing property damage to a vehicle and breach of probation concerning an incident on March 3 in Woodstock. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Sept. 24.
Plea pending for Wilmot man
Mitchell Hillman, 36, of Wilmot, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 to answer two charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Hillman was charged with driving while prohibited on Feb. 12 in Woodstock and mischief causing property damage to a truck on Feb. 16 in Woodstock. He also appeared in provincial court on July 23 and pleaded not guilty to a charge related to a break-in at the tourist bureau at Richmond Corner. His trial date was set for June 26, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Michael Holt, 68, of Riverglade, also appeared in provincial court on July 23 to answer a charge stemming from the same break-in. He pleaded not guilty and his trial date was set for July 16, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
The pair was charged by RCMP with break, enter and theft in connection with an incident on Feb. 19.
Charged with leaving accident scene
Deidra Fowler, 50, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 to set a new date for her trial. Judge Karen Lee scheduled the three-day trial for July 30 to Aug. 1, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Fowler with failing to stop at the scene of an accident concerning an incident on May 27, 2023, at Wotstak. She pleaded not guilty.
Charged with impaired driving
Paige Weaver, 32, of Weston Road, will appear for trial in provincial court on Aug. 22, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to an impaired driving charge.
Woodstock Police charged Weaver in connection with an incident on May 11 in Woodstock. She entered her not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Sept. 24.
Charged with indictable assault
Travis Sappier of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 to answer an indictable assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
RCMP charged Sappier with aggravated assault by wounding another man in connection with an incident on May 19 at Neqotkuk. He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
Trial in February
Dana Spencer, 41, of Fredericton, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 for monitoring about his upcoming trial on charges laid by RCMP. He confirmed he will be ready to proceed to trial on Feb. 14, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Spencer appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on April 29 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
He was charged by RCMP with refusing a breathalyzer demand on Aug. 19, 2023, at Florenceville-Bristol, assaulting a woman and uttering threats on April 15 in Maplehurst, and breach of an undertaking by violating a no-contact order on April 24 at Maplehurst. He pleaded not guilty. On Sept. 24, the court heard he was also facing other charges in Fredericton.
Neqotkuk man facing new charges
Collin Francis Bear, 35, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 to answer two new charges laid by RCMP.
Bear was charged with assaulting a woman and mischief causing property damage to a car window, stemming from an incident on Sept. 3 at Neqotkuk. He pleaded not guilty and his trial date was set for Aug. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Bear also faces trial on Nov. 21 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to four other charges laid by the RCMP.
He 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.
Bear appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing on Aug. 31, 2023, and was released with conditions. His curfew was lifted with the crown’s consent during his court appearance on July 25. He remains on a release order.
Sentencing set for Powers
Steven Frank Powers, 59, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 24 and changed his plea to guilty on two charges laid by the RCMP. He returns to court in custody for sentencing on Oct. 15 at 1:30 p.m.
Powers pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a no-contact order on Feb. 16 and Feb. 21 at Plaster Rock. The crown withdrawn 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 Restigouche Hospital after being arrested by RCMP. He was later transferred back to jail in Madawaska and waived his bail until later.
Trial rescheduled for Neqotkuk man
Jordan Perley, 35, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 24 to set a new date for his trial. Judge Karen Lee scheduled his trial for Dec. 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Perley appeared in court in custody by video on June 20 for a bail hearing and was denied bail. He filed for a bail detention review hearing scheduled for Oct. 4 at 1:30 p.m. at the Court of King’s Bench.
Perley pleaded not guilty to several charges during a previous court appearance. He was charged with two counts of breaking into a dwelling house, mischief causing property damage, uttering threats, three counts of assault, and resisting arrest concerning an incident on May 17 at Neqotkuk.
Perley was also charged by RCMP with two other counts of attempted break and enter at a dwelling house, two counts of mischief causing property damage on Jan. 1 at Neqotkuk, attempted break and enter at a dwelling house, mischief, possession of a prohibited weapon (a butterfly knife), and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace on March 18 at Neqotkuk. He was also charged with failing to appear in court on April 9.
Woodstock man facing two charges
Justin Shea of Woodstock will appear in provincial court on Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police. He appeared in court on Sept. 24 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Shea was charged with mischief causing property damage and break, enter and theft at the East Coast Truck Wash for an incident on March 17 in Lower Woodstock.
Plaster Rock woman to stand trial
Makayla Marie Shaw, 26, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 and pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. Her trial date was set for July 25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Shaw appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 15 and was released with conditions. The RCMP charged her with causing a disturbance, mischief, and breach of a peace bond for an incident on July 10 at Anderson Road.
Plaster Rock man pleads not guilty
Tanner Gridzak, 24, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 and pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for July 24, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Gridzak was charged with two counts of assault with a weapon (a knife) involving two different victims and impaired driving in connection with an incident on Nov. 11, 2023, near Arthurette.
Moved to alternative measures
Daniel Ralph Arch, 49, of Fredericton, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 to answer a theft charge laid by Woodstock Police.
He was charged with shoplifting at Fen’s Market on June 30 in Woodstock. With the crown’s consent, the matter was moved to the alternative measures program. He has until Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to complete the program’s requirements.
Arch also appeared in provincial court on June 4 and pleaded not guilty to one other charge laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for June 18, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Arch was charged with dangerous driving causing bodily harm following an accident on March 27 at Dorrington Hill near Canterbury.
Agreed to peace bond
Clifford Joseph Lozier, 61, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on Sept. 23 after pleading not guilty to a threat charge. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond and the trial did not proceed.
Lozier was charged by Woodstock Police with uttering threats against another man following an incident on June 4, 2023, in Woodstock. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn.
Awaiting plea on counterfeit charges
Tyler Depow, 34, of Moncton, will appear in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m. for monitoring on two charges of using counterfeit money.
RCMP charged Depow in connection with an incident on Aug. 21, 2023, in Perth-Andover. He told the court he was awaiting sentencing on Sept. 25 on other matters in Moncton and wanted his charges in Woodstock transferred to that jurisdiction. The matter was set over for plea until Oct. 8 to facilitate the transfer.
Assault charge laid
Riley Patrick Michaud of Woodstock will appear in provincial court on Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m. to answer an assault charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Michaud was charged with assault involving a female victim in connection with an incident on Aug. 21 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Sept. 24 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Monitoring on firearm charges
Ryan Michael Fitzherbert, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 24 for monitoring about his trial on firearm charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m. due to a disclosure issue raised by the crown.
RCMP charged Fitzherbert with improper storage of a firearm and possession of a firearm without a licence in connection with an incident on Dec. 10, 2021, in Jacksonville. He is also scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 31 at the Court of King’s Bench on drug trafficking charges.
Plea adjourned
Ryan James Dunford, 43, of London, Ontario, appeared in provincial court via teleconference on Sept. 24 to answer one charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Dunford was charged with mischief causing property damage to a vehicle on June 21 in Woodstock. He was released on an undertaking and entered a rehab facility in Ontario.
Neqotkuk woman charged
Michelle Perley of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) will appear in provincial court on Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge laid by RCMP.
Perley was charged with assaulting a man in the community on July 7. She made her first court appearance on Sept. 24 and was released on an undertaking to have no contact with the complainant.
Alternative measures not completed
Jerrica Bear of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) will appear in provincial court on Oct. 22 at 1:30 p.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP.
Bear was arrested on a warrant on Sept. 20 for failing to appear in court and released with conditions. She was charged with fraud and uttering a forged document concerning an incident at Neqotkuk. With the crown’s consent, the matter was moved to the alternative measures program. On Sept. 24, the court heard Bear failed to complete the program, and the charges would proceed.
Removed ankle bracelet
Ryan Troy O’Donnell, 27, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 24 to answer two charges. He returns to court in custody for plea on Oct. 8 at 11 a.m.
O’Donnell was charged with two counts of breach of a release order on June 26 and June 17. He was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court on June 25. The court heard he allegedly removed his ankle bracelet a few days after being released from jail. He waived his bail until later and was remanded on Aug. 21.
O’Donnell also faces two charges of possession of stolen property (cheques) on Dec. 16, 2023, in Beechwood and mischief causing property damage on Feb. 15. The charges were laid by the RCMP. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Jan. 27, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
On April 11, he was in custody by video to answer a sex charge laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty. He was charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident in Beechwood between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, 2021. On Sept. 3, a new trial date was set for Jan. 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
The court heard he was also facing other charges in Edmundston. O’Donnell has a prior criminal record.
