Wotstak man awaits sentencing for arson
A Wotstak man remains in custody to await his sentence after setting a house on fire and threatening to throw gasoline on police officers.
Greg Paul McCormick, 36, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody for sentencing on Aug. 11 after changing his plea to guilty on several charges laid by the RCMP.
After hearing submissions from both the Crown and defence, Judge Rose Campbell reserved her decision on sentence until Aug. 21 at 1:30 p.m,
Crown Prosecutor Sean Corscadden recommended McCormick serve 54 months in federal prison, minus time served, and be placed on three years of probation following his release.
McCormick was arrested in June 2025 and was denied bail when he appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Sept. 8, 2025. He has a remand credit of 620 days, which will be applied to any sentence imposed.
McCormick pleaded guilty to arson causing damage to a dwelling house, uttering threats, breaking into a dwelling house to commit mischief, assaulting police while threatening to use gasoline, and causing injury to a dog by choking it in connection with an incident on June 25, 2025, at Wotstak. The Crown withdrew three other charges.
The Crown lawyer told the court McCormick was involved in a dispute with his neighbours and stormed into their residence, where he made threats, choked their dog, and threw gasoline. Police were called and located McCormick back at home. He set the house ablaze with gasoline, refused to leave with police, and told them to shoot him. His mother fled the premises with her foot on fire while police grabbed a fire extinguisher from the trunk of a police cruiser and put out the flames. McCormick was found by police outside in the backyard where he was still holding a jug of gasoline and a torch. He refused to surrender and threatened to throw gas at the officers. Police used a taser to make their arrest, and McCormick was taken to hospital for a mental health check. A video from a police body camera was shown in court detailing the incident at the McCormick home.
Corscadden said the accused put several people in danger while in the midst of a mental health crisis fuelled by drugs, and the shocking video showed the gravity of the incident. He said a federal prison sentence was in order because of the violence involved and the horrific scene McCormick created by setting a gas fire and then threatening to throw more gas on police.
Defence Counsel Dennis Sawyer requested his client serve two years in jail, minus time served, and 18 months of probation. The defence acknowledged the charges were serious, but argued McCormick was having a mental breakdown at the time. Sawyer stressed no one’s house burned down and there were no serious injuries. McCormick would have 110 days left to serve if Judge Campbell accepts the defence position on sentence.
“It is abundantly clear he was suffering from a breakdown at the time,” said Sawyer. “He has been in jail for a long time and is undergoing counselling for mental health and addiction which will continue with community support.”
“I have great remorse for what I have done and I was not myself that day,” McCormick told the judge.
He appeared in court on July 4, 2025, for a fitness hearing following a five-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche Hospital. He was found fit to stand trial in accordance with his medical report. McCormick had a prior criminal record.
Alleged escape from rehab
Mason Darren Bustard, 19, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Aug. 11 after being arrested on new charges related to an alleged escape from a rehab facility in Moncton.
Woodstock Police charged Bustard with being at large on a release order, breach of a no-contact order, possession of a weapon (a butcher knife) for the purpose of committing an offence, unlawful entry at a dwelling house, and threatening a person with a knife, following an incident on Aug. 10 in Woodstock. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Aug. 13 at 9:30 a.m.
Bustard had another bail hearing on July 15 and was released with strict conditions to a rehab facility in Moncton. A warrant was being held on file until his next scheduled appearance on Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m. The court heard he intended to plead not guilty to a block of other outstanding charges.
Bustard appeared in provincial court in custody via video on July 13 to answer 16 charges laid by Woodstock Police.
The charges against Bustard include theft of tools, possession of stolen tools, prowling at night on Cambridge Street, five counts of attempting to steal from a vehicle, two counts of mischief causing property damage to the key and ignition of two vehicles, five counts of theft, and possession of stolen property. All the alleged incidents took place on April 7-8 in Woodstock.
At an earlier court appearance, Bustard was also 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. He was also charged with theft of a motor vehicle from the Legacy Ford dealership in Woodstock on April 30.
Bustard was also 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 property 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.
East Brighton man awaits sentencing
Ozzie Jr. Trecartin, 31, of East Brighton, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Sept. 14 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 11 but was adjourned to the new date because Trecartin was in the hospital.
He 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.
Conditional discharge, probation
Joshua Hanlon, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), received a conditional discharge and 12 months of probation when he appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Aug. 11 on an assault charge laid by RCMP.
Hanlon pleaded guilty to assaulting a female victim between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, 2025, at Neqotkuk. The Crown withdrew two other assault charges. The court heard the charge arose from a domestic dispute. Hanlon had a positive pre-sentence report, a good work history, and was undergoing counselling for anger management. He had a dated prior criminal record.
Fined for impaired driving
Gregory McKay, 40, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared for trial in provincial court on Aug. 10 and changed his plea to guilty on an impaired driving charge. He was fined $2,000 and was prohibited from driving for one year. McKay was charged by the RCMP, stemming from an incident on Dec. 24, 2024.
Remanded after bail hearing
Ronald David Whitfield, 29, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court in custody via video for plea on Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m. after being denied bail on seven charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Whitfield appeared in court in custody on Aug. 4. He was charged with breaching a no-contact order between June 8 and Aug. 2 in Woodstock; unlawful confinement, assaulting a female victim, uttering threats, and assault by choking on Aug. 2; and two counts of assaulting the same woman on July 21 and July 24 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court on July 28 to answer nine other charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was also adjourned for plea until Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Whitfield was charged with uttering threats and assault with a weapon involving a female victim on April 7 in Woodstock; two counts of possession of a firearm without a licence, pointing a firearm (a pump-action shotgun), possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, carelessly carrying a firearm, and improper storage of a firearm on April 8 in Woodstock; and assault on a female victim on April 10 in Woodstock.
He is also awaiting a plea on Aug. 18 on another set of firearm charges laid by Woodstock Police. Whitfield appeared in provincial court in custody via video on June 8 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions following his arrest during a police operation on Elm Street in Woodstock on June 2.
He was charged with possession of a firearm without a licence, pointing a firearm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and carelessly carrying a firearm.
Woodstock Police laid the charges after executing a search warrant at a residence on Elm Street when a firearm and a quantity of ammunition were seized. The seizure was conducted in cooperation with the Fredericton Police Force Emergency Response Team. Police said specialized tactics, including specialty munitions, were utilized to bring the operation to a safe and swift conclusion.
In custody awaiting plea
Jeffrey Pike, 30, of Juniper, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Aug. 11 for plea on two charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 1 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel. The court heard a resolution is being sought with the Crown.
Pike was charged with breach of a no-contact order and being at large on a release order concerning an incident on June 15 in Juniper. He was remanded after a bail hearing on July 7.
Pike also appeared in provincial court on June 15 to set a new trial date after pleading not guilty to two sets of other charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was rescheduled for Nov. 6 at 1:30 p.m.
Pike was charged with two counts of assault involving a female victim on Dec. 25, 2024, and Dec. 27, 2024, at Juniper; assault with a weapon (a dresser), and uttering threats between Dec. 25, 2024 and Dec. 27, 2024, at Juniper.
Pike was also charged with two counts of breaching an undertaking (no contact order) on Feb. 7 and Feb. 9 at Juniper; and breach of an undertaking and obstructing the course of justice on Feb. 10 at Juniper. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Charged with driving offences
Devon Grant, 26, of Temperance Vale, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 8 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on four charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Grant was charged with impaired driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and flight from police concerning an incident on Feb. 22 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Aug. 11 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Awaiting plea for assault
Samuel Lee, 30, of Summerfield, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 8 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge laid by the RCMP.
Lee was charged with assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a female victim in connection with an incident on June 27 in Summerfield. He made his first court appearance on Aug. 11 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Final submissions
Cindy Demerchant, 53, of Lower Kintore, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 10 for the continuation of her trial on a theft charge. Testimony concluded, and the matter was adjourned for final submissions on Aug. 26 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Henrik Tonning.
Demerchant was charged with break, enter, and theft of food and money from Tim Hortons in Perth-Andover between May 9 and May 31, 2024. She pleaded not guilty.
Evidence presented by the Crown at trial included video surveillance from the restaurant. Testimony from staff revealed that Demerchant was an employee who allegedly entered the premises after hours.
Incident in Maxwell
Pipo Michaud, 52, of Maxwell, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by the RCMP.
Michaud was charged with uttering threats against a female victim on May 20 in Maxwell, and possession of a firearm without a licence on May 26 in Maxwell. He was scheduled for plea on Aug. 11 when the matter was adjourned to allow him time to consult legal counsel.
Trial in January
Jordan Hill, 21, of Greenfield, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m. for a monitoring hearing after pleading not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP.
His trial was scheduled for Jan. 21, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. On Aug. 11, the court heard Hill had legal counsel to proceed to trial. The accused was not present for the appearance on Tuesday, and a warrant was held on file.
Hill appeared in provincial court via video in custody on April 9 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged with two counts of uttering threats, breach of a no-contact order, committing arson at a residence and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on April 1 at Greenfield.
He also appeared in provincial court via teleconference in custody on March 13 on other charges and was released with conditions.
RCMP charged Hill with assaulting a woman between Feb. 5 and March 12; assaulting the same woman, breaching a no-contact order, and taking a vehicle without consent on March 12 in Greenfield.
Hill was also charged with assault, assault with a weapon (a ruler), breaking into a dwelling house, and committing mischief stemming from an incident on March 13, 2025, in Juniper.
Shoplifting charge
Christopher Kenneth Mean, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 11 to answer a shoplifting charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 1 at 9:30 a.m.
Mean was charged with theft from the NB Liquor Store on April 4 in Woodstock. He also appeared in provincial court on March 31 on a charge of having a stolen Husqvarna whipper snipper. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for April 23, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. Woodstock Police charged Mean with possession of stolen property on Oct. 30, 2025.
Trial on sex charge
John Travis Martin, 47, of Belleville, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 10 and pleaded not guilty to a sex charge laid by local police. His two-day trial was set for June 28-30, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Martin was charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident on June 26, 2017, in Woodstock.
Not-guilty plea
Allison Lee Demerchant, 67, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 11 and pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was set for Sept. 2, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Demerchant was charged with break and enter at a dwelling house, committing mischief, and breach of an undertaking following incidents in Florenceville-Bristol on May 30 and June 5. He appeared in court via video in custody for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
Trial wraps up for Wotstak man
Takoda Louis Lee Christian, 20, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 10 for the continuation of his trial related to an alleged assault at the Ayr Motor Centre in Woodstock. Testimony concluded, and the trial was adjourned for final submissions on Aug.26 at 12 p.m.
Christian pleaded not guilty to assault causing bodily harm, mischief, and uttering threats concerning an incident on March 25, 2025. Police said a 16-year-old victim suffered significant injuries in the incident and was transported to the Upper River Valley Hospital for treatment.
Christian also appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Aug. 4 and pleaded not guilty to four other charges laid by the RCMP. His trial dates were set for Nov. 19 at 1:30 p.m. and Nov. 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Christian was charged with uttering threats, committing mischief, and two counts of breaching a release order stemming from an incident on June 28.
Christian appeared in provincial court in custody on July 6 and changed his plea to guilty on separate charges laid by the RCMP.
Christian was 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. He pleaded guilty to the threat charge, and the Crown withdrew the remaining two charges.
He also pleaded guilty to breach of a release order (no contact) for another incident on May 9-10, 2025, at Wotstak. Christian was also charged with breach of a no-contact order on April 14, 2025, in Wotstak. He pleaded guilty, and a sentencing date will be set after his trial matters conclude.
