Five years in prison for violent assault
Stacey Harry Broad, 58, of Centreville, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 27. He was found guilty after trial on five charges related to a violent assault on a woman inside his car.
Judge Sebastian Michaud also ordered Broad to register with the federal DNA database and the national registry for sex offenders for 20 years. He was also prohibited from using firearms.
Broad was charged with uttering threats, assault, assault by choking, sexual assault and unlawful confinement involving a female victim following an incident on April 10, 2024, on the Gregg Settlement Road.
“This has ruined my life,” Broad told the court. “It has destroyed me. I’m going to lose everything. I’m dumbfounded that I’m in this situation. She was a prostitute out of Fredericton.”
During the trial, the woman testified she was a passenger in Broad’s car en route from Fredericton to his woodlot near Centreville. They both smoked crack cocaine during the drive when Broad became violent, pulled her hair, locked the car doors, and refused to let her exit the moving vehicle. He took her cell phone and elbowed her in the chest when she tried to retrieve it. Once at his property, Broad assaulted and sexually assaulted the woman inside the car and then fell asleep. She retrieved her cell phone and alerted police. Broad was arrested at the scene.
Broad also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of breaching his release order (no contact) after being denied bail on May 23, 2024. He had been in custody since his arrest in April 2024 and had a lengthy prior criminal record dating back to the 1980s.
Remanded for mental health assessment
Greg Paul McCormick, 36, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on June 26 and was remanded for a five-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. He returns to court in custody for a fitness hearing on July 4 at 9:30 a.m.
McCormick was charged by RCMP with arson, uttering threats, break and enter, assaulting a police officer, and causing injury to an animal in connection with an incident on June 25.
House arrest, probation
Ronald Dwayne Scott, 30, of Woodstock, was handed six months of house arrest and 18 months of probation when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing on June 25. He was also prohibited from driving for one year.
Scott pleaded guilty to assaulting another man, willfully causing damage to a vehicle, dangerous driving, and flight from police for an incident on Nov. 10, 2022, in Woodstock. He was arrested by Woodstock Police and released from custody on a release order. Scott had a limited prior criminal record.
During his sentencing hearing, the court heard about an altercation on Helen Street when Scott scuffled with another man and then rammed his car with an ATV, causing $4,000 in damage. Later, that same day, police spotted Scott on Deakin Drive driving an ATV into oncoming traffic before heading off onto Creighton Street.
Judge Sebastian Michaud told the accused he would be permitted to attend work during his house arrest, but must follow a curfew for three months and have no contact with the complainant.
House arrest, fine for impaired
Stephen Pirie, 60, of Rowena, appeared in provincial court on June 27 for sentencing after changing his plea to guilty on two charges of impaired driving. He was fined $2,000 for the first offence and 90 days of house arrest for the second.
Pirie was also prohibited from driving for two years and was ordered to seek counselling for alcohol addiction.
He was charged by RCMP with impaired driving following an incident on Oct. 20, 2024, at Perth-Andover and then again on Dec. 13, 2024, at Tobique First Nation when he was involved in a two-vehicle accident on Route 390. There were no injuries. Pirie had no prior criminal record.
Remanded for bail hearing
Samuel Robert Crewe, 30, of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on June 25. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on June 30 at 9:30 a.m. on a breach charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Crewe was charged with being at large on a release order by violating his house arrest, stemming from an incident on June 24 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court on June 3 and pleaded not guilty to three other charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for July 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Crewe was charged with flight from police, dangerous driving and breach of a release order following an incident on May 6 in Woodstock.
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.
He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Jan. 6 and was released with conditions.
Crewe was charged by RCMP with possession of methamphetamine, flight from police, dangerous driving and driving while prohibited in connection with an incident in Kirkland on Jan. 4. He has a prior criminal record.
Arrested on a warrant
Joshua Adam Demerchant, 35, of Pembroke, appeared in provincial court in custody on June 26 after being arrested on a warrant. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on June 30 at 1:30 p.m. and faces new charges of dangerous driving, fleeing police, and driving while suspended.
Demerchant pleaded not guilty to several other charges and was scheduled for trial in January. He was charged by Woodstock Police with two counts of breaching a release order stemming from incidents on Oct. 18, 2023, at Pembroke and on Dec. 4, 2023, in Woodstock.
He was also charged by RCMP with possession of stolen property (an ATV) and failing to stop for police in connection with an incident on July 12, 2023, near Hartland.
Failed to appear for sentencing
The court issued an arrest warrant for Jayson Lee O’Hagan, 21, of Bairdsville, after he failed to appear for sentencing in provincial court on June 26.
At an earlier court appearance, O’Hagan pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and breaching a release order on Sept. 15, 2024, near Bairdsville. The crown withdrew several other charges laid by the RCMP.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on March 20 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including house arrest.
O’Hagan appeared in provincial court in custody on May 8 and was released with conditions. He was slated to enter a plea on June 26 on a charge of breaching his release order.
Change of plea on two charges
Clay Hargrove, 30, of Beechwood, appeared for trial in provincial court on June 26 and changed his plea to guilty on two charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing date was set for Oct. 7 at 1:30 p.m.
Hargrove pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm to another man and possession of a stolen ATV for an incident on Aug. 27, 2024, at Upper Kent.
Sentencing on multiple charges
James Blair Hovey, 28, of Perth-Andover, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on June 27 and changed his plea to guilty on multiple charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing date was set for Aug. 5 at 1:30 p.m.
Hovey pleaded guilty to assaulting another man and theft of keys on Nov. 27, 2024, in New Denmark. Another charge of theft of tools was withdrawn.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen ATV, breach of probation and flight from police on March 30, 2024, at Tobique Narrows; guilty to taking a vehicle without consent and breaching his curfew on Oct. 25, 2024, at Perth-Andover; guilty to flight from police, theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, and breaching his curfew on Nov. 27, 2024, at Plaster Rock; and guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle and breach of probation on Jan. 9 at Carlingford. Two other charges were withdrawn.
The court heard the crown would be seeking a one-year jail sentence for all counts. Hovey has been in custody since his arrest in January.
Hovey was also charged by Woodstock Police with breach of probation and break, enter and theft at a dwelling house on Creighton Street on Sept. 26, 2024. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was reset for Sept. 12 and Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Returning for plea
Sylvia Drier, 25, of Tobique Narrows, will appear in provincial court on July 22 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by RCMP.
Drier was charged with assaulting another woman, assault with a weapon (a can), and mischief causing property damage for an incident on April 19 at Hartley Settlement. She made her first court appearance on June 24 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Facing four charges
Sherra Gregg, 28, of Anderson Road, Victoria County, will appear in provincial court on July 22 at 9:30 a.m. to answer four charges laid by RCMP.
Gregg was charged with breach of an undertaking on March 31 at Perth-Andover; criminal harassment by repeated communication between March 8 and March 25 in Plaster Rock, and assaulting another woman and unlawful entry at a dwelling house on July 16, 2024, at Quaker Brook. She made her first court appearance on June 24 when the matter was adjourned for plea to the new date.
Remanded on a warrant
Nekko Dominique, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on June 25 after being arrested on a warrant. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on June 30 at 9:30 a.m.
Dominique appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 15 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was scheduled to return for plea on June 17 but failed to appear.
RCMP charged him with breaching a release order (curfew), theft, and breach of probation for an incident on April 12 at Neqotkuk.
Charged with robbery with violence
Tearston Tee Saulis, 30, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 27 for his bail hearing. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on July 22 at 9:30 a.m.
At an earlier court appearance, Saulis was ordered him to undergo a five-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. He was found fit to stand trial in accordance with his medical report.
Saulis appeared in court in custody by video from federal prison on June 3. He was charged by the RCMP with robbery of a motor vehicle with violence on March 26 at Neqotkuk. The court heard he allegedly struck a woman during the incident.
Saulis was arrested in March on a Canada-wide warrant issued by Correctional Services Canada for an alleged parole violation. His federal sentence expires in August.
He is facing charges both in Woodstock and Miramichi and appeared in custody from provincial jail for a court appearance on June 6.
Cut off ankle bracelet
The court issued an arrest warrant for Cole Paul Smith, 30, of Johnville, after he failed to appear in provincial court for plea on June 25. The court heard he allegedly cut off his ankle bracelet and was not expected to attend for plea.
Smith appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on May 1. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Woodstock Police charged him with assault with a weapon (a metal stool) and two counts of uttering threats on April 10-11 in Woodstock.
RCMP also charged him with assault involving a female victim, unlawful confinement, and two counts of uttering threats concerning another incident between Nov. 15 and Nov. 30, 2024, in Johnville. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants.
Smith also appeared in provincial court on April 8 and pleaded not guilty to three other charges laid by the RCMP. His trial date was set for March 30, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. He was charged with uttering threats, assault by choking and unlawful entry at a dwelling house on Oct. 22, 2024, at Johnville.
In custody awaiting plea
Allan Charles McLaughlin, 63, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 26 for plea on weapons charges related to a domestic dispute. The matter was adjourned until July 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel. The court heard that a resolution is being sought with the crown.
McLaughlin was denied bail on May 29. He was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (a nine-millimetre handgun), pointing a firearm at a female victim, assault with a weapon (a handgun), and careless use of a firearm in connection with an incident on April 13 in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants. He was also charged with breaching a no-contact order on April 15 in Canterbury.
Woodstock Police attended a residence on April 13 to answer a call about a domestic dispute. During the course of their investigation, they determined that a male suspect had produced a loaded handgun and pointed it at a female victim during the altercation.
Following this incident, police executed a search warrant at the same residence, which resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns, and more than 1,500 rounds of ammunition.
Plea adjourned
Daniel Jr. Constandinides, 19, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on June 26 for plea on several charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until July 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 12 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
RCMP charged Constandinides with theft of a Canada Post vehicle, theft of mail, and theft of a firearm on March 27 at Perth-Andover. He was also charged with two counts of assault with a weapon (a knife) and committing mischief causing property damage to a door in another incident on March 15.
Constandinides was also charged with breaching an undertaking and obstructing police in an incident on March 23 in Perth-Andover.
Plea delayed for Neqotkuk man
Austin Aubin, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court via teleconference on June 26 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until July 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Aubin appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on May 2 and was released with conditions.
He was charged with breaching a no-contact order on April 28 in Aroostook. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on April 29 and was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Aubin is residing at a residence in Campbellton. He was arrested on the Easter weekend for allegedly breaching his release order.
Aubin was also charged by RCMP with possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, breach of probation, unsafe storage of a firearm, and possession of a firearm without a licence concerning a March 27 incident at Neqotkuk.
Sentencing set on four charges
Daniel Jr. Francis, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 26 and pleaded guilty to four charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing was scheduled for July 30 at 1:30 p.m.
Francis pleaded guilty to two counts of assault with a weapon (a knife) involving two male victims, and possession of ammunition while prohibited, concerning an incident on May 5 at Neqotkuk. He also pleaded guilty to uttering threats on April 23 at Neqotkuk. Two other charges were withdrawn by the crown.
Ontario man awaits sentencing
Charles Wylie Reinhardt, 37, of Ontario, formerly Woodstock, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Sept. 26 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
He appeared in court on June 27 for monitoring via teleconference and confirmed he would attend his sentencing hearing in person in September.
Reinhardt was charged with dangerous driving, flight from police, refusing a breathalyzer demand and resisting arrest following an incident on July 30, 2023, in Woodstock. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and the breathalyzer charge. The remaining two charges were withdrawn by the crown.
In custody awaiting trial
Jason Norman Dumont, 40, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 26 and pleaded not guilty to several charges laid by the RCMP. His trial dates were set for July 21 at 1:30 p.m. and July 23 at 9:30 a.m.
Dumont was charged by the RCMP with three counts of uttering threats, assault causing bodily harm, assault by choking, and breach of a peace bond. He was charged in connection with a series of incidents between March 17 and May 4 in Woodstock; between July 1-5, 2023, in Mount Pleasant; and on Oct. 24, 2015, in Mount Pleasant.
He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on May 12 and was remanded to jail. A monitoring date for his trial was set for July 3 at 9:30 a.m.
Guilty to theft at tourism centre
Mitchell Hillman, 36, of Wilmot, appeared in provincial court on June 26 and pleaded guilty to stealing copper wire from the former tourist bureau at Richmond Corner. His sentencing was set for Oct. 6 at 1:30 p.m.
Hillman was charged with breaking and entering, but pleaded guilty to the lesser included offence of theft in connection with a break-in at the tourism building on Feb. 19, 2024. A co-accused, Michael Holt, 68, of Riverglade, pleaded not guilty and will stand trial on July 16 at 1:30 p.m.
Hillman will appear for trial in provincial court on Aug. 21 at 9:30 a.m. and Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Hillman was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats concerning an incident on Sept. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. He appeared in court in custody and was released with conditions. His trial was set for Aug. 21.
He was also charged with driving while prohibited on Feb. 12, 2024, in Woodstock and mischief causing property damage to a truck on Feb. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. His trial was set for Sept. 5.
Another mental health assessment
William (Billy) Harding, 35, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 26 for a bail hearing. He was remanded for a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. He returns to court in custody for a fitness hearing on July 29 at 1:30 p.m.
Harding was remanded for an earlier five-day mental health assessment and was found fit to stand trial; however, his defence counsel said he could not proceed with his bail hearing on Thursday and needed further assessment.
RCMP charged Harding with breaking into a dwelling house, mischief causing damage to his ankle bracelet, and three counts of breaching his release order on June 7 in Perth-Andover.
He was also charged with assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a male victim and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace following an incident on May 11 at Perth-Andover.
Harding appeared in provincial court on April 22 to answer theft charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. Those matters were adjourned for plea until June 10, but he failed to appear, and a warrant was issued.
Harding was charged by Woodstock Police with theft from the Superstore and breach of probation following an incident on Sept. 10, 2024, in Woodstock.
A co-accused, Tammy Schloemer, 60, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was charged in relation to the same incident at the Superstore. She appeared in court in custody on June 23 after being arrested on a warrant. Schloemer pleaded not guilty to theft and was released with conditions until her trial on July 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Harding was also charged with theft of a laptop in Perth-Andover on March 12, 2024; breach of probation on March 20, 2024; and breach of probation by failing to report between Dec. 12, 2023, and Sept. 3, 2024. He has a prior criminal record.
Bail hearing waived
Jacob Alexander Roy, 27, of Windsor, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 26 for a bail hearing. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody on Aug. 7 at 9:30 a.m. for monitoring about his trial.
Roy appeared in court in custody by video on March 19 and pleaded not guilty to all charges laid by the RCMP. Trial dates were set for Aug. 29 and Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Roy was charged with breaching a release order by violating the conditions of his house arrest (ankle bracelet) following an incident on Feb. 8 at Coldstream.
He was also charged by Woodstock Police with possession of methamphetamine and cocaine, both for the purpose of trafficking, breach of a release order, carrying a concealed weapon (plastic knuckles), and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, concerning an incident in Woodstock on Aug. 3, 2024. The crown withdrew another charge of possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles). Roy has been in custody since his arrest.
Legal counsel confirmed
Jeffrey Richard Bull, 45, of Newburg, appeared in provincial court on June 27 for monitoring about his trial on charges laid by Woodstock Police. He confirmed he had legal counsel to proceed to trial on Aug. 7-8 and Aug. 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Bull was charged with aggravated assault and breach of probation concerning an incident on Sept. 8, 2024, at 2 a.m. when a man suffered a broken elbow after being struck by a bat on St. James Street in Woodstock. The alleged victim was a newcomer to the town for only three days.
Bull was also charged by RCMP with breaking into a dwelling house and breach of probation stemming from an incident on March 16 at Bulls Creek. He pleaded not guilty.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on March 27 and was released with conditions, including house arrest with permission to attend work, and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
On Friday, a separate charge of assault causing bodily harm to another man was transferred back to Edmundston with a court date of July 10 at 9:30 a.m. to schedule his trial on that matter.
Moved to alternative measures
Kaylee Tarry, 25, of Coldstream, appeared for trial in provincial court on June 27 after pleading not guilty to a threat charge. The matter was moved to the alternative measures program, and the trial was cancelled.
The RCMP charged Tarry with uttering threats against a male person on June 14 near Rockland. She has until Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m. to complete the requirements of the program in order to have the charge withdrawn.
Grand Falls man on trial
Michael Langlois-Martell, 33, of Grand Falls, appeared for trial in provincial court on June 27 on four charges laid by RCMP. The trial continued late into the afternoon on Friday.
Langlois-Martell was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle (a Toyota Tundra), possession of a firearm without a licence (a pump action shotgun), storage of a firearm in a careless manner, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace concerning an incident on Aug. 4, 2023, at Tobique Narrows.
Sentencing decision pending
Three men from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) are in custody awaiting a federal prison sentence for their part in a kidnapping in the community last April. Judge Natalie H. LeBlanc will render her decision on sentencing on July 30 at 1:30 p.m.
Jacob Perley, 34, Adam Perley, 33, and Preston Sockabasin, 27, appeared in provincial court in custody for their sentencing hearing on June 19 and June 26. The crown recommended six years in prison for Jacob Perley, three years for Adam Perley, and four years for Sockabasin. They pleaded guilty to multiple offences.
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. Seven individuals were charged in the incident.
Sockabasin and the two Perley men were jointly charged by RCMP with forcible confinement by choking and suffocation, unlawful confinement, administering a noxious substance, assault causing bodily harm, and extortion with violence to obtain $10,000 between April 27 and April 29, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
Jacob Perley was also charged with pointing a firearm at a female victim, using a firearm to kidnap her, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, and obstructing a police officer. He and Adam Perley have been in custody since their arrest last year.
The crown withdrew three charges against Adam Perley. A charge of unlawful confinement laid against Sockabasin was also withdrawn.
Sockabasin also pleaded guilty to flight from police for a separate incident on May 7, 2024, at Neqotkuk, and guilty to resisting arrest on April 8, 2025, at Neqotkuk. He was released with conditions after his arrest, but was taken back into custody for breaching his release order.
Sheena Sappier, 36, Keagan Paul, 32, and Ashley Paul, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court on June 23 and changed their plea to guilty for their role in the kidnapping.
All three accused were released until their sentencing on Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Keagan 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. He had no prior criminal record.
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 remaining two charges were withdrawn by the crown.
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. Five other charges were withdrawn by the crown.
Troy Pelkey, 56, of Tilley, who allegedly orchestrated the crime, 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, at Neqotkuk.
His trial got underway on March 26 before Judge Anne M. Richard and continued on April 1-2. The trial was adjourned to May 8 and June 2. Other trial dates were also set for July 16 and Aug. 21-22. Pelkey remains in custody.
