Three sentenced to prison in violent kidnapping
Three men from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), who acted as bounty hunters during a violent kidnapping in the community last April, 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.
Judge Natalie H. LeBlanc sentenced Jacob Perley to six years in prison, minus 310 days for time served. He had a limited prior criminal record. The judge said he was “front and centre to the offence” and “his actions were distinguishable from the others.”
Adam Perley was sentenced to three years in prison, minus 771 days for time served. He had no prior criminal record. The judge noted his involvement in the kidnapping was limited.
Preston Sockabasin was sentenced to four years in prison, minus 315 days for time served. He had no prior criminal record. He also had a lesser role in the crime but had a firearm and later fled from the police.
All three accused were also ordered to register with the federal DNA database, and they were each prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years. None are permitted to have contact with the female victim.
At an earlier court appearance, Crown Prosecutor Derek Weaver told the court the men were among a group of seven individuals who acted like a gang in the kidnapping. He explained their violent actions were premeditated, fuelled by drugs, and motivated by financial gain because a bounty was offered 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.
Sockabasin and the two Perley men were jointly charged by the 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 gun 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 firearm 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 the terms of his release order.
In pronouncing sentence on Friday, Judge LeBlanc told the court the violent incident was a tragedy for both the victim and her captors, as all their lives had been changed by it. The victim must live with the nightmare of the experience, the judge said, while her kidnappers must face the aftermath for what they have done.
All of those involved were known to one another and lived in the same community. They were encouraged to do violence by another individual from outside Neqotkuk, Judge LeBlanc explained, who promised them financial gain. She noted all three accused were now remorseful for their actions.
“Stay away from the dark and move positively toward the light,” Judge LeBlanc told them. “Put the past behind you. There is no reason these offences have to be repeated in the future.”
Sheena Sappier, 36, Keegan 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 were released until their sentencing on Nov. 5 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. 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 Crown withdrew the remaining two charges.
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.
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 gun between April 27 and April 29, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
His trial was held before Judge Anne Marie Richard, who will continue in provincial court with closing arguments on Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m. Pelkey remains in custody.
Guilty verdict in assault trial
Brady Crawford, 30, of Woodstock, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m. after being found guilty after trial on several charges laid by Woodstock Police.
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; 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.
Sentencing in December
Alesha Rossi, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Oct. 3 for monitoring about her trial and changed her plea to guilty on an assault charge laid by the RCMP. A sentencing date was set for Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m.
Rossi was charged with assault involving a male victim, assault with a weapon (a chair), and uttering threats concerning an incident on Oct. 12, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She pleaded guilty to the assault, and the Crown withdrew the two remaining charges.
Arrested on breach charge
Lucas Green, 21, of Richmond Settlement, appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 1 on a charge of breaching his release order. He was released with conditions and will return to court for plea on Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
On Sept. 25, Green appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He returns to court for plea on Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Green with uttering threats on Aug. 13 at Richmond Corner; assaulting another man with a weapon (a metal pipe), and breach of a no-contact order on Sept. 21 in Mapledale.
Drug trafficking charges
Vinal Todd Hatto, 40, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 2 to answer seven drug trafficking charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Hatto was charged with possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, heroine, oxcontyin, hydromorphone, and methylphenidate, all for the purpose of trafficking on May 28 in Lower Woodstock.
On Sept. 2, Hatto was released from custody with conditions to a rehab facility in Moncton after being sentenced to time served on other separate charges.
In custody, plea adjourned
Ronald Dwayne Scott, 30, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 2 to answer charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 23 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Scott was charged by Woodstock Police with assault, committing mischief, and three counts of uttering threats following an alleged altercation on Aug. 8. He appeared in custody by video for a bail hearing on Aug. 11 and waived his bail.
In custody awaiting sentencing
William (Billy) Harding, 35, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody for sentencing on Sept. 29 after pleading guilty to several charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the completion of a pre-sentence report.
Harding was denied bail on July 30. He appeared in court in custody by video on July 29 for a fitness hearing following a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. He was found fit to stand trial.
On Aug. 28, he pleaded guilty to unlawful entry at a dwelling house, mischief causing damage to his ankle bracelet, and one count of breaching his release order on June 7 in Perth-Andover.
He also pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a male victim on May 11 at Perth Andover. The Crown withdrew one other weapons charge.
Harding was also charged by Woodstock Police with theft from the Superstore and breach of probation following an incident on Sept. 10, 2024, in Woodstock. He pleaded guilty to both offences.
He also pleaded guilty to theft of a laptop from Social Development 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 had a prior criminal record.
The court heard he also had a sentencing hearing in Edmundston on Sept. 22 in connection with other matters in that jurisdiction.
Trial adjourned
Bradley Tyler Whitney, 42, of Moncton, formerly of Newbridge, appeared for trial in provincial court on Sept. 29 after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police. The trial was adjourned until Nov. 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of the Crown.
Whitney pleaded not guilty to assaulting a female victim, uttering threats and breach of probation on Aug. 24, 2024, in Woodstock; and not guilty to assault with a weapon (a torch) involving a female victim between July 1-28, 2024, in Woodstock. A monitoring date for his trial was set for Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Released under house arrest
Austin Soucy Barrett, 26, of Keswick Ridge, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 2 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and a curfew.
Barrett was charged with breaking into the Valley Chainsaw Shop in Jacksonville on Sept. 16. He returns to court for plea on Oct. 23 at 9:30 a.m.
Returning for plea
Cameron James Clark, 25, of Mapledale, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 2 for a bail hearing after being arrested by the RCMP on multiple charges. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and a curfew. He returns to court for plea on Oct. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Clark was charged with uttering threats, break and enter, assault causing bodily harm, mischief causing property damage, and dangerous driving concerning an incident on Sept. 17 in Mapledale. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants.
Denied bail and remanded
Nicholas Erikson, 34, of no fixed address, was denied bail when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 29. He returns to court in custody for plea on Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
The RCMP charged Erikson with breaking into a dwelling house, possession of stolen property and resisting arrest on Aug. 12 at Oak Mountain. The Crown withdrew one other charge. Erikson has a prior criminal record.
Awaiting trial date
Brett Roger Chase, 26, of Central Waterville, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 2 and pleaded not guilty to breaching his release order. He returns to court on Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date.
Chase also appeared in provincial court on Aug. 5 on another charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Nov. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Chase was charged with fleeing police following an incident in Woodstock. He was arrested on a warrant and released with conditions after failing to appear in court on March 18. The court heard the charge was being transferred to Fredericton, where he has other charges.
Sentencing date pending
James Blair Hovey, 28, of Perth Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 2 to set a new date for his sentencing after changing his plea to guilty on multiple charges laid by the RCMP.
His sentencing was adjourned to allow more time for the transfer of a theft charge from Miramichi. Hovey returns to court in custody on Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm a date for his sentencing.
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 that 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 the Woodstock Police with breach of probation and break, enter, and theft at a dwelling house on Creighton Street on Sept. 26, 2024.
Arrested and released
Nicholas Andrew Scott, 39, of Fredericton, was arrested at the courthouse after turning himself in to sheriffs for failing to appear in provincial court on Aug. 5. He was released with conditions pending his trial on charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Scott was charged with flight from police, dangerous driving and mischief causing property damage to a door following an incident on Dec. 2, 2024, at NBCC Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for Nov. 9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Trial and sentencing still pending
Dylan Thibodeau, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Oct. 2 for his trial after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by the RCMP.
RCMP charged Thibodeau with three counts of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, break and enter at a dwelling house, assault, breach of a peace bond, and breach of probation in connection with an incident on Jan. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk. He appeared in provincial court in custody and was released with conditions.
Thibodeau pleaded guilty to all three counts of assaulting police, and his sentencing date was rescheduled for Oct. 30 at 1:30 p.m. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond in relation to the other assault charge, and the Crown withdrew the remaining charges.
Resolution sought on multiple files
Crystal Lee Phillips, 44, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 29 for plea and a monitoring hearing about 12 files. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 20 at 9:30 a.m. The court heard that a resolution is still being sought with the Crown.
Phillips appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 29 for a bail hearing. She was released with conditions to a rehab facility in Shediac with an ankle bracelet and under full house arrest.
Phillips was charged with breaching her release order (ankle bracelet) and breaking into a dwelling house on July 8 in Upper Woodstock.
She pleaded not guilty in April to other charges laid by the RCMP. Phillips was charged by the RCMP with breaching her release order (curfew) on March 17 and resisting arrest on March 16 at Wilmot and breaching her curfew in connection with an incident on Jan. 23 in Woodstock. Her trial was scheduled for April 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Phillips is also awaiting trial on Feb. 27, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. on other charges of flight from police and dangerous driving following an incident on Feb. 24, 2024, in Jacksonville.
Woodstock Police also charged her with fraudulent impersonation, using a credit card knowing it was obtained by fraudulent means, and defrauding Walmart in Woodstock between Aug. 10, 2019, and June 23, 2023. Her trial was rescheduled for Nov. 19. She appeared in provincial court in custody on April 18, 2024, on another charge of breaching her curfew, which was laid by the Woodstock Police.
Phillips appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 2, 2024, on other charges laid by Woodstock Police. She was released with conditions at that time, including a curfew. She was charged with illegal possession of methamphetamine and breaking into a dwelling house on March 31, 2024, in Woodstock.
The Crown withdrew two charges of flight from police and driving while suspended on Feb. 6, 2024, and her trial, scheduled for Sept. 29, was cancelled.
