*Please note the correction in the second story
In custody on 11 charges
Mason Darren Bustard, 19, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on May 5 after being arrested on 11 charges related to a police chase. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on May 26 at 9:30 a.m.
Bustard was charged with flight from police and mischief causing property damage to a lawn at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation); breach of probation, possession of a stolen truck, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (a knife), and breaching a release order in Woodstock; two counts of breaching his release order and mischief causing damage to his ankle bracelet in Bloomfield; and flight from police and theft of fuel in Florenceville-Bristol. All the incidents are alleged to have occurred on April 30.
He also appeared in provincial court on April 14 to answer three other charges laid by Woodstock Police. That matter was also adjourned for plea until May 26 at 9:30 a.m.
Bustard was charged with possession of stolen property, possession of break-in tools and breach of probation in connection with a rash of vehicle break-ins on April 7-8 in the Elizabeth Street, Creighton Street and Rose Court areas.
UPDATED: Woodstock man awaits sentencing
Patrick Rattray, 30, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court for sentencing on Aug. 4 at 1:30 p.m. after his trial on charges laid by Woodstock Police. Judge Rose Campbell rendered her verdict on May 4.
He was found guilty of breaching a peace bond, uttering threats, and committing mischief in connection with an incident in Woodstock on Oct. 9, 2024. The Crown withdrew an assault charge.
Rattray was found not guilty of assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim, and not guilty of assault by choking in connection with an incident between Jan. 1 and Feb. 9, 2024, in Woodstock. Two other charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
*The River Valley Sun previously reported the guilty charges but did not list the not-guilty findings. We apologize for the oversight.
68 days or time served
Earl James Demerchant, 34, of Woodstock, was sentenced to 68 days in jail or time served after appearing in provincial court via video on May 4. He was also placed on a conditional sentence order for two months while in rehab in Moncton, where he will be under house arrest with a curfew.
Demerchant pleaded guilty to 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.
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. He had a prior criminal record. The court heard Demerchant struggled with addiction and homelessness for two years in Woodstock. The charges were laid by Woodstock Police.
House arrest and probation
Clay Nicholson, 28, of Centreville, was handed a four-month conditional sentence order and 18 months of probation when he appeared in provincial court on May 5. He will spend two months under house arrest, with permission to attend work, and two months following a curfew.
Nicholson was charged by the RCMP with assault with a weapon (a pizza cutter), unlawful entry at a dwelling house, uttering threats, and assaulting another man on May 24, 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol. He pleaded guilty to uttering threats and assault on the male victim. The remaining charges were withdrawn. Nicholson had a prior criminal record.
Fredericton man sentenced
Ryan Patrick Brown, 34, of Fredericton, received an eight-month conditional sentence order and 12 months of probation when he appeared in provincial court on May 4. Six months of his sentence will be served under house arrest, with permission to attend work, followed by two months under curfew. He pleaded guilty to assault.
Brown was charged by Woodstock Police 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. Brown had a dated prior criminal record.
Arrested after police chase
Shayne Everett Cameron, 33, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on May 4 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was set for July 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Cameron appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on April 2, where he waived bail. He was charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, flight from police, dangerous driving, two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, and breach of probation following an incident on March 29 at Perth-Andover when a spike belt was used to stop a fleeing vehicle. Cameron has a prior criminal record.
In custody awaiting trial
Brandon Coté, 30, of no fixed address, will appear for trial in provincial court in custody on May 6 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP.
Coté was denied bail when he appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Feb. 26. He was charged with flight from police, dangerous driving, possession of a firearm without a licence (a pump-action shotgun), breach of probation, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it in connection with an incident on Feb. 16 in Florenceville-Bristol when a spike belt was used to stop a vehicle. He has a prior criminal record.
Mapledale man back in custody
Cameron James Clark, 25, of Mapledale, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on May 5 after being arrested for allegedly breaching his release order. He returns to court in custody for plea on May 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Clark appeared in provincial court on April 7 and pleaded not guilty to other charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was booked for April 23, 2027, at 1:30 p.m. On Tuesday, the court heard that the trial date will have to be moved up since Clark is in custody.
Clark was charged with breach of probation, resisting arrest, uttering threats, stalking a female victim, breaking into a dwelling house, assault with a weapon, assaulting another man, and mischief, causing property damage to a door on Sept. 17, 2025, at Mapledale.
He was also charged with 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. He pleaded not guilty at an earlier court appearance, and his trial was set for April 19, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. That trial date may also have to be rescheduled.
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.
Facing sex charge
Henry Bloodsworth, 59, of Beechwood, will appear for trial in provincial court on May 27, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to a sex charge laid by the RCMP.
Bloodsworth was charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident on Nov. 15, 2025, at Upper Kent. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on May 5. A pre-trial conference was also scheduled for Jan. 5 at 1:30 p.m.
Trial scheduled
Christian Cioc, 57, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on May 20-21, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Cioc was charged with two counts of criminal harassment between Aug. 8, 2025 and Jan. 8, 2026, and stalking a female person between Oct. 18, 2025, and Jan. 26, 2026, in Woodstock. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on May 5. A pre-trial conference was booked for Jan. 5 at 1:30 p.m.
In custody awaiting plea
Ryan James Smith, 37, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on May 5 for plea on several charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until May 26 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Smith was denied bail in April. He was charged with possession of a stolen credit card and breach of probation in connection with an incident on April 14 in Woodstock.
He will also appear in provincial court on May 26 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on seven other charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Smith was charged with two counts of uttering threats, three counts of breach of probation, theft, and mischief, stemming from incidents on Oct. 20, 2025, and on Jan. 7 and Jan. 9 in Woodstock.
Arrested for missing trial
Brittany Priscilla King, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on May 5 to set a new trial date and enter a plea to a breach charge. The matter was adjourned until May 27 at 9:30 a.m. She waived her bail until later.
King was charged by Woodstock Police with breaching her release order for failing to appear in court on March 24. She was also charged with resisting arrest, assault with a weapon (a knife), and assault causing bodily harm to a male victim, concerning an incident on Nov. 5, 2023, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty and did not return for her trial.
Upper Kent pair charged with child abuse
Two individuals from Upper Kent will appear in provincial court this month to answer charges of child abuse laid by the RCMP.
Kathy Ruest-Sooley, 30, and Ricky Sooley, 65, both face eight charges, including unlawful abandonment, failing to provide the necessities of life, criminal negligence, assault, assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, administering a noxious substance and unlawful confinement. The charges were laid in connection with a series of incidents between Sept. 1, 2024 and Sept. 19, 2025.
Kathy Ruest-Sooley returns to court for plea on May 12 at 9:30 a.m. Ricky Sooley will enter a plea on May 26 at 9:30 a.m.
In custody awaiting trial
An Ontario man appeared in provincial court in custody via video on May 5 to answer a theft charge laid by the RCMP.
Michael Frost, 56, formerly of Howard Brook, was charged with theft under $5,000 (jewellery) in connection with an incident on Dec. 27, 2025, in Florenceville-Bristol. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Frost pleaded not guilty to committing arson by burning a vehicle, two counts of uttering threats, three counts of resisting arrest, flight from police, and two counts of breaching an undertaking, concerning incidents on Jan. 6-7 and on Jan. 17 in Florenceville-Bristol. His trial was booked for May 28-29, at 9:30 a.m. He was denied bail during a court appearance on Feb. 17.
Returning for plea
Jill Smith, 37, of Fielding, will appear in provincial court on May 26 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on five charges laid by the RCMP. She was scheduled for plea on May 5, when the matter was adjourned to allow her more time to consult legal counsel.
Smith was charged with fraud over $5,000, forgery, identity theft, fraudulent impersonation, and possession of stolen mail between Jan. 1 and March 1, 2025, in Florenceville-Bristol. She is also facing more charges in Fredericton. Smith has a prior criminal record.
Plea adjourned
Jaden Joseph Stanley Dickison, 21, of Nackawic, appeared in provincial court on May 5 to answer charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 19 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Dickison was charged with flight from police, dangerous driving, driving while prohibited, and breach of probation for an incident on March 19 in Woodstock.
He appeared in provincial court in custody via video on March 23 for a bail hearing and was released on conditions, including house arrest and the wearing of an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was also prohibited from driving. Dickison has a prior criminal record.
He was also charged with flight from police and driving while prohibited for another incident on Dec. 16, 2025, in Woodstock. His plea date was booked for May 19 at 9:30 a.m.
East Brighton man awaits sentencing
Ozzie Jr. Trecartin, 31, of East Brighton, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on May 6 at 9:30 a.m. after changing his plea to guilty on charges laid by the RCMP.
Trecartin pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm without a licence, storage of multiple firearms in a careless manner, and resisting arrest on July 21, 2024, in East Brighton. He also pleaded guilty to impaired driving and two counts of driving while suspended on July 21, 2024, in Peel.
Other charges of attempted murder, reckless discharge of a firearm at a place while a person was inside, two counts of indictable assault against another man, and uttering threats were withdrawn by the Crown.
Trecartin appeared in provincial court via video for a bail hearing on July 30, 2024, and was released on conditions. He was ordered to have no firearms in his possession.
Plea postponed
Dominic (Dominique) Gagnon, 40, of Beechwood, appeared in provincial court on May 5 to answer charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 26 at 9:30 a.m.
Gagnon was charged by the RCMP with committing public mischief, uttering threats and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on Feb. 17 at Stickney.
Gagnon appeared in provincial court in custody via video on March 19 for a fitness hearing after being remanded for a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. The accused was found fit to stand trial, held for a bail hearing on March 20, and then released on conditions. Other charges are also pending on June 10 in Fredericton.
Limestone incident
Steven Dolk, 54, of Moncton, will appear in provincial court on May 26 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a sex charge laid by the RCMP.
Dolk was charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident on June 28, 2021, at Limestone. He appeared in provincial court for plea on May 5, when the matter was adjourned to the new date to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Multiple charges for Hamilton
Brandon Travis Hamilton, 36, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on May 26 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on multiple charges laid by the RCMP. He was scheduled to enter a plea on May 5 when the matter was adjourned.
Hamilton appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 25 and was released with conditions. He was charged with possession of two stolen snowmobiles, dangerous driving, fleeing police, driving while suspended, possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, in connection with an incident on Feb. 24 in Florenceville-Bristol.
Hamilton pleaded not guilty to three other charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and two counts of driving while suspended on June 9, 2025, in Woodstock. His trial was set for June 9, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
More time for legal counsel
Benjamin Ian Watson, 40, of Jackson Falls, will appear in provincial court on May 19 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was scheduled for plea on May 5 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Watson was charged with assault involving a female victim and breach of a peace bond in connection with an incident on March 17 in Woodstock. He appeared in court in custody via teleconference and was released with conditions.
New charges for Wotstak man
Takoda Louis Lee Christian, 20, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on May 5 to answer two new charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until May 26 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Christian was charged with stalking another person and criminal harassment for incidents between Jan. 3 and Jan. 5 in Woodstock.
He is also scheduled to appear in provincial court for trial on three separate dates after pleading not guilty to multiple charges laid by Woodstock Police and the RCMP. His trial dates are set for June 10 at 9:30 a.m., June 17 at 9:30 a.m., and July 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Christian appeared in court in custody via video on March 20 after being arrested in Fredericton. He was later released on conditions. Fredericton Police charged him with flight from police, dangerous driving and breaching a no-contact order.
In June 2025, Christian was released from custody in Woodstock to attend a rehab facility and was later ordered to undergo a mental health assessment. He pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges and was awaiting trial when he was rearrested in Fredericton.
Christian was charged by Woodstock Police with breach of a release order (house arrest) on April 16, 2025, at Wotstak, and breach of a no-contact order on April 14, 2025, in Woodstock.
He was also charged with assault and unlawful confinement between June 29, 2024, and July 4, 2024, at Wotstak; assault and two counts of assault by choking in Fredericton between Feb. 10, 2025, and Feb. 19, 2025; and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone between Feb. 10 and Feb. 19, 2025, at Wotstak.
He was also charged with assaulting another man with a weapon (a knife), uttering threats and mischief, causing property damage to a window in connection with an incident on April 8, 2025, in Lansdowne.
Christian also faces charges laid by Woodstock Police following an assault outside the Royal Canadian Legion on Nov. 14, 2024. Police were called to the scene, and a man was transported to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Christian was charged with assault with a weapon (a vehicle), dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
He also appeared in provincial court on April 15, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to another indictable assault charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Christian pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault concerning an incident on March 25, 2025, at the Ayr Motor Centre. Woodstock. Police said a 16-year-old victim suffered significant injuries in the incident and was transported to the Upper River Valley Hospital for treatment.
Awaiting plea and trial
Chad Brooker, 36, of Centreville, appeared in provincial court on May 5 for plea on three charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until May 26 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Brooker was charged with assault concerning an incident on Dec. 15, 2025, in Williamstown; theft of a snowmobile on Jan. 10 in Hartland, and possession of a stolen snowmobile on Jan. 11 in Hartland.
At an earlier court appearance, he 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. His trial was set for April 1-2, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. A pre-trial conference was also booked for Jan. 5, 2027, at 1:30 p.m.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Ryan Woodward, 42, of Hartland, after he failed to appear in provincial court for a monitoring hearing on May 5. He also had a first appearance on a break-and-enter charge regarding an incident on Jan. 31 in Hartland.
Woodward appeared in provincial court on Feb. 24 and pleaded not guilty to several charges laid by local police. Trial dates were scheduled for May 25 at 9:30 a.m., June 20 at 9:30 a.m. and March 3, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Woodward was charged with three counts of driving while suspended on Aug. 21 and Aug. 23, 2025, at Wakefield and on Sept. 3, 2025, in Woodstock. He was also charged with dangerous driving and flight from police on Sept. 3, 2025.
Facing two more charges
Adam Grant Saunders, 29, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on May 5 to answer two more charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Saunders was charged with break-and-enter and unlawful confinement. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 26 at 9:30 a.m.to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
He will also appear for trial in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to assault. Saunders was charged by Woodstock Police in connection with an incident on June 6, 2025, in Woodstock.
Trial in August
Cole Wade Gray, 24, of Upper Kintore, will appear for trial in provincial court on Aug. 21 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP.
He appeared in court on May 5 to set his trial date. A monitoring hearing was also booked for June 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Gray pleaded not guilty to theft of lumber between July 21, 2023, and July 23, 2023, in Johnville. Another charge of unlawful entry at a dwelling house was withdrawn by the Crown. He also pleaded not guilty to breaching curfew and breaching a release order between Nov. 27 and Dec. 1, 2023, at Aroostook.
Gray also pleaded not guilty to two counts of mischief and uttering threats concerning an incident on March 18, 2025, at Lower Kintore. He was released on an undertaking until his trial on Aug. 21.
Trafficking in fentanyl
Stephen Mohan, 44, and Candace Parker, 42, both of St. Stephen, were scheduled to appear in provincial court on May 5 to answer a series of charges laid by the RCMP.
Mohan did not appear, and the court issued a warrant for his arrest. Parker appeared in court, and her plea was adjourned until May 26 at 9:30 a.m. to allow her more time to secure a lawyer.
The pair was charged with possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking on Oct. 17, 2025, in Canterbury, and possession of unstamped tobacco on Oct. 17, 2025, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). Mohan is also facing other drug charges in Fredericton.
Parker is also facing additional charges of uttering threats, assault, and robbery with violence related to the theft of a motor vehicle on Oct. 17, 2025, at Wotstak.
Mohan appeared in provincial court on Dec. 16, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to three other charges, but guilty to one other charge of resisting arrest. His trial date was set for Jan. 11, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Sentencing scheduled
Christian Karnes-McQuade, 24, of Richmond Corner, appeared in provincial court on May 5 and pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking (no contact). His sentencing was set for May 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Karnes-McQuade was arrested on March 27 and was released with conditions following a bail hearing.
Trial on eight charges
Brandon Francis, 30, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody via video on May 4 for a monitoring hearing after pleading not guilty to eight charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was confirmed for June 11-12, at 9:30 a.m.
Francis was denied bail on Feb. 5. He was charged with breaking into a dwelling house, possession of a weapon (a knife) for the purpose of committing an offence, indictable assault, uttering threats, breach of probation, and mischief causing property damage on Jan. 10 at Perth-Andover. He was also charged with resisting arrest and breach of probation on Jan. 20 at Perth-Andover.
Charged with assault
Olivia Crain, 20, of Oakland, will appear in provincial court on May 19 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge laid by the RCMP.
Crain was charged with assault in connection with an incident on Jan. 4 in Oakland. She was scheduled to enter a plea on May 5 when the matter was adjourned to allow her more time to consult legal counsel.
Sentencing this week
Leah Driscoll, 45, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for sentencing in provincial court on May 7 at 1:30 p.m. after changing her plea to guilty on charges laid by the RCMP.
Driscoll pleaded guilty to willfully neglecting an animal (two dogs) under the SPCA Act on July 23, 2023, at Neqotkuk; guilty to resisting arrest on July 23, 2023, and April 29, 2024; and breaching a release order on April 29, 2024, and May 26, 2024, in Woodstock. Three other charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
