54 months in prison for road rage incident
An Upper Woodstock man was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison when he appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Dec. 10 on charges related to a road rage incident in Woodstock.
Wyatt Mark Belyea, 29, pleaded guilty to uttering threats, pointing a firearm at another person, driving while prohibited, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, dangerous driving and refusing a breathalyzer demand. The Crown withdrew several other charges.
Judge Sebastian Michaud also prohibited Belyea from driving for six years and imposed a lifetime ban on firearms. Belyea has been in jail since May, but because of a parole violation, only 37 days of remand can be applied to his 54-month sentence.
“Your conduct that evening showed a total disregard for the law particularly for a person on parole,” Judge Michaud told the accused. “This type of activity cannot be tolerated. It was highly dangerous.”
Following Belyea’s arrest by Woodstock Police, a long-barreled rifle with an attached bayonet was located and seized from a pickup truck. The firearm was forfeited to the Crown at sentencing.
Crown Prosecutor Sean Corscadden told the court Belyea was behind the wheel of a truck when he slammed on the brakes near the intersection of Main Street and Deakin Drive around 10:20 p.m. He got out of the truck and began yelling at two people travelling in another vehicle. Belyea pointed a gun at them, asking if they wanted to get shot. Then he returned to his truck and left the scene. The Crown said Belyea did not know the victims and approached them at random.
Shortly after, police spotted the same truck moving slowly on Main Street and attempted a traffic stop. Belyea drove through downtown and became stuck in a ditch near Broadway and Houlton Road. He put the truck in reverse and rammed a police vehicle behind him. Police made their arrest, and Belyea told them he had a gun in the truck and was on parole. The gun was unloaded, but multiple rounds of ammunition were discovered in a backpack inside the vehicle.
Defence Counsel Taylor Campbell explained that Belyea struggles with mental health issues and alcohol abuse, as well as trauma related to the death of a former girlfriend. He sought mental health services in the community but was not accepted for treatment.
“He had a violent outburst that night,” Campbell said. “He is remorseful and wants to go back to federal prison, where there are programs available to help him.”
Four years ago, Belyea pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing death and breach of a release order following the fatal accident along Route 540 in Maxwell on May 27, 2021. He was sentenced to four years and six months in prison on those charges, with time already served deducted. He was also ordered to register for the federal DNA database and was prohibited from firearms for 10 years and from driving for six years.
Woodstock man charged in serious assault
Jacob David Murray Munn, 31, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Dec. 11 for a bail hearing on an assault charge. The bail hearing was adjourned until Dec. 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Woodstock Police charged Munn with aggravated assault on another man by wounding him in connection with an incident near the Knights of Columbus Hall on Charles Street on Dec. 7. The charge was laid after a man was transported to the hospital in Fredericton for treatment of serious injuries.
Remanded for bail hearing
Joshua Alexander Russell, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Dec. 12 to face a new charge laid by Woodstock Police. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Dec. 16 at 1:30 p.m.
Russell was charged with breaching his release order stemming from an incident between Dec. 11 and Dec. 12 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court on Nov. 18 and pleaded not guilty to six other charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for Jan. 13-14, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Russell appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 26 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged with two counts of breaking into a dwelling house, breach of an emergency intervention order, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle, and driving while suspended in connection with an incident on Sept. 21 in Woodstock.
A pre-trial conference will be held on June 24, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. The court heard that Russell will also return to court on Aug. 31, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. for trial on another standalone matter.
Theft and fraud charges
Sherry Lynn Williams, 61, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 10 for plea on six charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Jan. 6, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Williams was charged with three counts of theft and three counts of fraud stemming from three separate incidents in Woodstock between Feb. 19, 2019, and June 7, 2019; between March 6, 2019, and April 22, 2019; and between Jan. 13, 2017, and June 5, 2019. The alleged victims were special needs adults.
Returning for trial
Nathan Bowmaster, 33, of Moose Mountain, will appear for trial in provincial court on Dec. 30, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP.
Bowmaster pleaded not guilty to assault and driving without due care and attention concerning an incident on Sept. 16 at Bath. He entered his not-guilty plea during his first court appearance on Dec. 9.
Woodstock woman awaiting plea
Nicole Demerchant, 47, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge.
Woodstock Police charged Demerchant with assaulting another woman on Aug. 10 in Woodstock. She made her first court appearance on Dec. 9 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Facing five charges
Jocelyn Cronk, 40, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on several charges laid by the RCMP.
Cronk was charged with two counts of assault on a male victim, uttering threats, and unlawful confinement on June 23 in Aroostook, and breaching an undertaking (no contact) on June 23 at Aroostook. She made her first court appearance on Dec. 9 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Break-in on Searle Street
Two men appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Dec. 11 for their bail hearings on charges related to a break-in on Searle Street on Nov. 24.
Bastian Bradbury of Fredericton and Michael Ronald McKee of Woodstock were each charged with breaking into a woodworking shop, possession of stolen tools, possession of a stolen vehicle (a Mazda CX5), possession of break-in tools, and prowling at night. Bradbury also faces a charge of wearing a mask while committing an offence.
Their bail hearings were adjourned to new dates. Bradbury returns to court in custody on Jan. 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., while McKee will appear in custody on Dec. 18 at 1:30 p.m. The court heard they are also in custody on other charges in Fredericton.
Sentencing adjourned
Brady Glen Crawford, 30, of Woodstock, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Dec. 12 after being found guilty after trial on several charges laid by Woodstock Police. His sentencing was adjourned until Jan. 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of Defence Counsel Brent Dickinson.
Crawford appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 15, 2024, and was released with conditions. He was charged with two counts of assault, uttering threats and assault while threatening to use a weapon (a knife) concerning an incident on Feb. 11, 2024, in Woodstock.
He was also charged with assault and assault by choking between June 1 and Sept. 1, 2023, in Woodstock; and assault by choking between Sept. 1 and Oct. 1, 2023, in Woodstock. The Crown withdrew two other charges. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Bail decision reserved
Ryan Troy O’Donnell, 28, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Dec. 11 for a bail hearing on four charges. Judge Leslie Jackson reserved his decision on bail until Dec. 15 at 1 p.m.
O’Donnell was arrested on Dec. 5 and charged by the RCMP with theft of a motor vehicle, breaking and entering, and mischief. He has a lengthy prior criminal record.
Trial adjourned to March
Ronald DeLong, 38, of Wilmot, appeared for trial in provincial court on Dec. 10 after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by the RCMP. The trial was adjourned until March 21, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
DeLong was charged with two counts of possession of a stolen motorcycle and possession of ammunition while prohibited following an incident on Aug. 7, 2024, at Wilmot.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Dec. 8 on a charge of breaching his curfew on Dec. 6. He was released with conditions. He pleaded not guilty on Dec. 11, and the matter will go to trial in March.
Bail hearing adjourned
Nathan Aaron Sewell, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Dec. 11 for a bail hearing after being arrested by the RCMP. His bail hearing was adjourned until Dec. 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Sewell was charged with breaching an undertaking (not to drive any vehicle) and indictable possession of a stolen ATV on Dec. 7 at Wilmot. He was remanded into custody on Dec. 8.
Released until sentencing
Loic Boulay, 22, of Oromocto, appeared for sentencing in provincial court in custody via video on Dec. 10 after changing his plea to guilty to several charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned, and Boulay was released with conditions until his new sentencing date on Jan. 12, 20206, at 9:30 a.m.
Boulay pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking (no-contact) and assault involving a female victim between July 4 and July 15 near Northampton and Woodstock. He also pleaded guilty to uttering threats on July 15 in Northampton. The Crown withdrew two other charges.
In addition, Boulay pleaded guilty to breaching a no-contact order and unlawfully entering a dwelling house on St. John Street in Woodstock on May 25. The Crown withdrew another mischief charge. He had no prior criminal record. Boulay was denied bail on July 28.
Sentencing postponed to January
Braeden Paul Thornton, 28, of Lakeville, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Dec. 10 after changing his plea to guilty on several charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until Jan. 15, 20206, at 9:30 a.m. with the consent of both the Crown and defence counsel.
Thornton was released from custody in July on conditions to await sentencing. He pleaded guilty to breaching his release order (no-contact) on March 15 in Woodstock; guilty to assaulting a female victim, uttering threats, theft of a cell phone, and breaching a peace bond on July 14, 2024, in Woodstock; and guilty to breaching his release order (ankle bracelet) on Dec. 1, 2024, in Wilmot. He has a prior criminal record.
Plea adjourned on nine charges
James Morgan Demerchant, 24, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Dec. 11 for plea on nine charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Jan. 8, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Demerchant appeared in provincial court in custody via video for a bail hearing on Nov. 20. He was released to a rehab facility in Moncton, subject to wearing an ankle electronic monitoring device.
Demerchant was charged with possession of a prohibited firearm (a sawed-off shotgun) while prohibited from having it, possession of a prohibited firearm without a licence, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of two stolen passports, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, carrying a prohibited firearm, possession of a loaded prohibited firearm without a licence, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and carrying a concealed weapon following an incident on Oct. 12 in Woodstock.
Limestone woman to stand trial
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 the RCMP.
Cowper was charged with obstructing the course of justice in connection with an incident on Aug. 10, 2024, in Jackson Falls.
Oakland man awaiting trial
Jefferson Ray Graham, 54, of Oakland, will appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 30, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to an assault charge. His trial was scheduled for Dec. 12 but was adjourned to the new date with the Crown’s consent.
The RCMP charged Graham with assault with a weapon following an incident on April 1 in Ashland. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on May 13.
Charges withdrawn
The Crown withdrew two charges laid against Adam Luc Joseph Thibodeau of Glassville when he appeared for trial in provincial court on Dec. 11.
The Woodstock Police charged Thibodeau with possession of a stolen vehicle and a stolen licence plate in connection with an incident on April 9, 2024, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty and was released on an undertaking to appear for trial.
Agreed to peace bond
Gary Ross, 45, of Richmond Settlement, appeared for trial in provincial court on Dec. 11 after pleading not guilty to an assault charge. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the trial did not proceed.
The RCMP charged Ross with assaulting another man following an incident on Feb. 22, 2024, at Perth-Andover. He pleaded not guilty. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn.
Neqotkuk man awaiting trial
Brock Vollmar, 48, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for trial in provincial court on Jan. 6, 2027, at 10 a.m. after pleading not guilty to four charges laid by the RCMP.
Vollmar was charged with unlawful confinement, assault involving a female victim, and uttering threats for an incident on July 9 at Neqotkuk. He is also facing a theft charge in connection with an incident at the Ultramar in Carlingford. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Dec. 12.
He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on July 14 and was released with conditions. The Crown withdrew another fraud charge on Oct. 28.
New trial date
Paul Allingham, 48, of Enterprise in Victoria County, appeared for trial in provincial court on Dec. 12 after pleading not guilty to an assault charge. The trial was adjourned until April 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Allingham was charged with assaulting another man in connection with an incident on Sept. 17, 2024, near Plaster Rock.
Pleas adjourned on multiple charges
Kurtis Stenger, 33, of Fredericton, and Samuel Robert Crewe, 31, and Timothy Brian Wheelan, 37, both of Jacksonville, were scheduled to enter a plea in provincial court on Dec. 12 on multiple charges.
Crewe and Wheelan both appeared in court in custody via video. Stenger was not present in court. The three men were each charged by the RCMP with possession of methamphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine and fentanyl, all for the purpose of trafficking in connection with incidents between June 1 and June 13 in Jacksonville. Their pleas were adjourned until Jan. 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Stenger also faces 14 firearm charges in relation to the June 13 incident and will enter a plea during his January appearance.
Crewe has 13 firearm charges for the same incident and faces another charge of breaching a release order on March 6 in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and trial dates were set for Sept. 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. and Nov. 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Wheelan has 48 gun charges from the June 13 incident and will enter a plea at his January appearance. He pleaded not guilty to four other separate charges for uttering threats on March 17, April 10, and Aug. 12, breach of a peace bond, and breach of a release order on Sept. 21. Trial dates were set for March 27, April 1, and April 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Wheelan was also charged with breach of a peace bond, possession of a stolen utility trailer, resisting arrest, dangerous driving, and flight from police for an incident on Nov. 17 at Meductic when a spike belt was used to stop a speeding vehicle heading toward Woodstock. Wheelan was denied bail on Dec. 4 on those charges. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for March 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Crewe appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Dec. 2 and pleaded guilty to another set of drug charges laid by Woodstock Police. He pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking on March 19 in Woodstock. His sentencing date was booked for Jan. 26, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Crewe was denied bail on July 24 on more charges. Woodstock Police charged him with being at large on a release order stemming from a June 24 incident in Woodstock, in violation of his house arrest. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was rescheduled for Jan. 26, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Crewe also appeared in provincial court on June 3 and pleaded not guilty to three other charges laid by Woodstock Police, including flight from police, dangerous driving and breach of a release order on May 6 in Woodstock. His trial date was rescheduled for Jan. 26, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
He also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 18 and pleaded not guilty to four more charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was set for Feb. 11, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Crewe was charged by the RCMP with possession of methamphetamine, flight from police, dangerous driving and driving while prohibited in connection with a single vehicle accident in Kirkland on Jan. 4. He has a prior criminal record.
Decision adjourned in kidnapping
Troy Pelkey, 56, of Tilley, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Dec. 12 for a verdict following his trial on charges related to a kidnapping at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) last April.
His trial was held before Judge Anne Marie Richard and concluded with closing arguments on Oct. 6. Judge Richard reserved her decision until Dec. 12, when the verdict was rescheduled for Dec. 30 at 1:30 p.m. Pelkey remains in custody but was hospitalized and unable to appear in court.
He pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, uttering threats, forcible confinement, extortion with violence to obtain $10,000, pointing a firearm at a female victim, and unauthorized possession of a firearm between April 27 and April 29, 2024.
Three other men from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) involved in the kidnapping were each sentenced to federal prison on Oct. 3. Jacob Perley, 35, Adam Perley, 34, and Preston Sockabasin, 29, appeared in provincial court in custody. They pleaded guilty to multiple offences.
Jacob Perley was handed six years in prison, minus 310 days for time served. Adam Perley was sentenced to three years in prison, minus 771 days for time served. Preston Sockabasin was sentenced to four years in prison, minus 315 days for time served.
The court heard their violent actions were premeditated, fuelled by drugs, and motivated by financial gain because Pelkey allegedly offered a bounty for snaring the victim. Once caught, she was given 30 days to pay a debt, or she would die.
A 54-year-old Aroostook woman testified she was kidnapped, gagged, beaten, and tortured for two days at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) last April. She begged for her life during the last hours of her captivity and then crawled out of a body bag in the trunk of a car and ran for help. She said she lives with long-term physical injuries and deep emotional trauma caused by the experience.
Sheena Sappier, 36, Keegan Paul, 32, and Ashley Paul, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Nov. 5 after changing their plea to guilty for their role in a kidnapping.
After hearing submissions from both the crown and defence counsel, Judge Scott Brittain reserved his decision on sentence for all three accused until Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m.
Keegan Paul pleaded guilty to unlawful confinement, kidnapping with intent, and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm. He was the driver of a vehicle in which the victim was tied up and held in the trunk.
Crown Prosecutor Derek Weaver recommended two years of house arrest and 12 months of probation for Paul, noting he spent 45 days in remand, cooperated with police during the investigation, and gave evidence during the trial of co-accused Troy Pelkey. The crown said he must also register with the federal DNA database.
Defence Counsel T.J. Burke said Paul has been on an ankle bracelet since his arrest last year and has been undergoing counselling and treatment for drug addiction. He had no prior criminal record and has been sober since his release from custody.
Sheena Sappier and Ashley Paul were each charged with kidnapping a female victim, unlawful confinement, attempting to obstruct justice by disposing of evidence, and theft of a motor vehicle. The court heard the victim’s car was stolen and burned during the commission of the offence.
Both women pleaded guilty to theft of a motor vehicle and attempting to obstruct justice by disposing of evidence. The Crown withdrew the remaining two charges.
The Crown recommended Sappier spend one year under house arrest and pay $493 in restitution for transactions made on the victim’s credit card taken from her purse on the night of the kidnapping. Sappier must also register with the federal DNA database. Her house arrest would include a six-month curfew.
Sappier has a dated prior criminal record and has been wearing an ankle monitor since her arrest last year. She spent 37 days in remand. The court heard that she also cooperated with police during the investigation and gave evidence at the trial of co-accused Troy Pelkey.
Ashley Paul also pleaded guilty to other unrelated charges, including assaulting another woman while in custody at the Miramichi jail on May 30, 2024, and breaking into a dwelling house on March 21, 2025, at Craig’s Flats, when two TVs and a laptop were stolen. The Crown withdrew five other charges.
The Crown requested that Paul be sentenced to one or two years in jail for her role in the kidnapping and another eight months in custody for the assault and break-in, followed by one year of probation. The court heard she spent 111 days in remand and has been undergoing counselling and treatment for addiction. She must also register with the federal DNA database and continue counselling for addiction.
