Three await sentencing in kidnapping
Sheena Sappier, 36, Keegan Paul, 32, and Ashley Paul, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m. after changing their plea to guilty for their role in a kidnapping in the community in April 2024.
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 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, the alleged ringleader in the kidnapping, remains in custody to await a verdict after his trial. 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 gun between April 27 and April 29, 2024, at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation).
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 at 2:30 p.m. Pelkey remains in custody.
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 a six-year prison sentence, 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.
Charges laid in fatal accident
Casey Feuser, 37, of Sussex, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 4 to answer four charges related to a fatal accident that killed two people on the Trans Canada Highway outside Woodstock last year.
RCMP charged Feuser with two counts of dangerous driving causing death and two counts of failing to remain at the scene of an accident on Sept. 26, 2024, near Hay Settlement. His plea was adjourned until Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Two male passengers from Sussex died as a result of the single-vehicle accident, which occurred around 1:30 a.m. The vehicle was travelling eastbound on the highway when it lost control and went into a ditch.
255 days or time served
Nicholas William Sutthery, 40, of Arthurette, was sentenced to 255 days in jail, or time served, when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Nov. 3. He changed his plea to guilty on several charges laid by the RCMP.
Sutthery was released from custody with conditions in April. He spent seven months in remand after being denied bail.
Judge Karen Lee also placed him on 18 months of probation and ordered him to seek counselling as required. A 10-year prohibition on firearms was also imposed.
Sutthery pleaded guilty to three counts of uttering threats and assault at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) on July 29, 2024, uttering threats, assault with a weapon (ramming a vehicle), unlawful entry at a dwelling house, and possession of a stolen ATV on May 27, 2024, in Perth-Andover. The Crown withdrew four other charges. He had a dated prior criminal record and must have no contact with the complainants.
Two new charges
Vinal Todd Hatto, 40, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 4 to answer two new charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Hatto was charged with obstructing police and possession of stolen inspection stickers in connection with an incident on May 16 in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Nov. 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
He also appeared in provincial court on Oct. 21 to answer seven drug trafficking charges laid by Woodstock Police. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for Nov. 26-27, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Hatto was charged him 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. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for May 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Not-guilty plea
Ricky Hamilton, 59, of Pembroke, will appear for trial in provincial court on Dec. 7, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP.
Hamilton appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 10 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
RCMP charged him with uttering threats and improper storage of a firearm on Oct. 7 and breaching an undertaking (no contact) on Oct. 8 in Pembroke. His not-guilty plea was entered on Nov. 4 by his defence counsel.
Sentencing adjourned
Kyle Glen Anderson, 38, of Hartland, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Nov. 4 after changing his plea to guilty on four charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until Nov. 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Anderson pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, committing mischief, causing property damage to a vehicle, and two counts of uttering threats in connection with an incident on July 4, 2023, at Ashland.
Trial continues on sex charge
Cole Tweedie, 30, of Greenfield, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m. to set a date for the continuation of his trial after pleading not guilty to a sex charge laid by the RCMP. A pre-trial conference was also scheduled for Dec. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Tweedie was charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident on June 11, 2022, near Beechwood. Two days of trial hearings were already held in May and June.
Charge withdrawn
Derek Oliver, 34, of no fixed address, appeared for trial in provincial court on Nov. 3 after pleading not guilty to one charge laid by the RCMP. The Crown called no evidence, and Oliver was handed a directed verdict of not guilty.
Oliver was charged with breaking and entering a garage in Hartland on Aug. 9, 2024. He was released on an undertaking and ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Trial pending on multiple charges
Gabriel John Tomah, 21, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Nov. 4 for a monitoring hearing after pleading not guilty to multiple charges laid by the RCMP.
His trial dates for Oct. 8-9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. were confirmed. At the request of his defence counsel, two more trial dates were also booked for Nov. 2, 2026, and Nov. 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Two additional pre-trial conferences were scheduled for June 9, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., and Aug. 27-28, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Tomah with sexual assault, assault causing bodily harm, pointing a firearm at another person, and possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence. He appeared in court in custody on May 7 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
In custody in Quebec
Austin Aubin, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court via teleconference on Nov. 4 for a monitoring hearing on charges laid by the RCMP. The court heard he was still in custody in Quebec and his charges were being transferred to that jurisdiction.
Another monitoring date was set for Jan. 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. to confirm that the transfer of his file has been completed.
He was charged by the 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.
Aubin was also 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. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
At the time of his release, Aubin was residing in Campbellton. He was later arrested and taken into custody in Quebec.
Trial on six charges
Austin Francis, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for trial in provincial court on Dec. 10-11, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to six charges laid by the RCMP.
Francis was charged with discharging a firearm with intent, assault with a weapon, careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of a firearm without a licence concerning an incident on July 5 at Neqotkuk.
His defence counsel entered his not-guilty plea on Nov. 4, and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for July 21, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Still on the lam
Timothy Maurice Thibodeau, 42, of Glassville, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Nov. 4 for a monitoring hearing regarding his trial on charges laid by the RCMP. He failed to appear, and another monitoring date was set for Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m. A warrant was issued for his arrest in October.
Thibodeau appeared in provincial court on Feb. 4 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP. He was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, uttering threats on Sept. 4, 2023, at Hartland, and failing to appear in court on Oct. 24, 2024. He appeared in court in custody on Nov. 4, 2024, and was released with conditions.
He will stand trial on the drug charge on Jan. 15-16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. His trial on the remaining two charges was set for Jan. 14, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
In federal prison awaiting plea
Robert Louis Michaud, 54, formerly of Grand Falls, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 4 to answer two charges. The matter was adjourned for plea until Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m.
Michaud was charged with breaching a release order by failing to report to the police between May 10 and June 8, 2024, and with driving while suspended on June 4 in Woodstock. He told the court he was currently serving a two-year federal sentence at an institution in Nova Scotia for a drug trafficking offence.
Failing to pay restitution
Gary Frederick Kilcollins, 48, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 4 to answer one charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Kilcollins was charged with breaching probation on July 2 by failing to pay $919 in restitution related to a previous offence.
Glassville woman charged
Katrina Boucher, 48, of Glassville, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m. for a plea on two assault charges laid by the RCMP.
Boucher was charged with two counts of assault following an incident on April 19 at Juniper. She was scheduled to enter a plea on Nov. 4 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of her defence counsel. The court heard that a possible resolution is being sought with the Crown.
Trial set for assault
Noah Saulis, 24, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m. to set a date for his trial on one charge laid by the RCMP.
Saulis was charged with assaulting another man on June 20 at Perth-Andover. He entered his not-guilty plea on Oct. 7. A trial date was expected to be set on Nov. 4, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Impaired driving charge
Karen Irene Davenport, 44, of Jackson Falls, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an impaired driving charge.
The Woodstock Police charged Davenport in connection with an incident that occurred on March 20 in Woodstock. She was scheduled to enter a plea on Nov. 4, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Stolen vehicle allegation
Brandon Hamilton, 36, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Hamilton was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and driving while suspended. He was scheduled to enter a plea on Nov. 4 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Fredericton man to enter plea
Chad Parker, 34, of Fredericton, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 16 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an impaired driving charge.
Woodstock Police charged Parker following an incident on April 25 in Woodstock. He was scheduled to enter a plea on Nov. 4 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Resolution sought
David Frank Janssens, 25, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by the RCMP.
Janssens was charged with arson and committing mischief on Oct. 25, 2023, in Woodstock. On Nov. 4, the court heard that a resolution is still being sought with the Crown, so another adjournment was granted.
Neqotkuk man awaiting trial
Aaron Barclay Moulton, 41, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for trial in provincial court on Dec. 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by the RCMP.
Moulton appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Aug. 11 and was released with conditions. He was arrested on a warrant on charges of assault and two counts of uttering threats concerning an incident at Neqotkuk. His not-guilty plea was entered on Nov. 4 by his defence counsel.
Trial for sexual assault
Christopher Thomas O’Keefe, 27, of Fielding, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m. for a monitoring hearing about his trial on a sexual assault charge.
O’Keefe was charged by the RCMP with sexual assault in connection with an incident on Feb. 26, 2023, at Upper Brighton. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for Dec. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
He was scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 4 for monitoring, but failed to attend due to being hospitalized. A warrant will be held on file until his next court date.
Returning for plea
Taranjeet Singh, 39, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 5 at 1:30 p.m. for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Singh appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Oct. 10 and was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Singh was charged by Woodstock Police with assault with a weapon (a knife) and uttering threats in connection with an incident on Sept. 6 and another alleged assault on Sept. 7 in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with three complainants.
Returning for plea
Jerod Nowlan, 40, of Rosedale, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Nowlan was charged with flight from police and fraud in connection with an incident in Woodstock. He appeared in provincial court on Nov. 4 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Charged for guns and drugs
Kurtis Stenger, 33, of Fredericton, Samuel Robert Crewe, 31, and Timothy Brian Wheelan, 37, both of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 4 to answer multiple gun charges and drug trafficking charges laid by the RCMP.
Crewe appeared in custody by video, while Stenger and Wheelan were present in court. The three men were each charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine, both for the purpose of trafficking in connection with incidents between June 1 and June 13 in Jacksonville. They return to court on Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea.
Stenger also faces 14 firearm charges in relation to the June 13 incident and will enter a plea on Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
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, as well as three 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. He will enter a plea on Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Crewe was denied bail on July 24 on other separate charges. He was charged by the Woodstock Police with being at large on a release order, having violated his house arrest, stemming from an incident on June 24 in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was rescheduled for Jan. 26, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
He also faces additional charges of possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine, both for the purpose of trafficking, on March 19 in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Jan. 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
A co-accused, Kaylee Melinda Smith, has also been charged with drug trafficking and two counts of identity theft concerning the same incident on March 19 in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was scheduled for Jan. 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
On Nov. 4, Smith was also charged with flight from police and dangerous driving for another incident on July 10 in Hartland. She will enter a plea on Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.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 additional 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.
New trial dates
Bonnie Noel, 56, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 4 and pleaded not guilty to a series of charges. Three separate trial dates were set for Dec. 19, at 9:30 a.m., April 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., and Dec. 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Noel appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 11 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in provincial court on August 28, March 14 and June 13. Following a bail hearing, she was released with conditions. She told the court that she had been in Ontario but had surrendered to the police upon her return.
Noel pleaded not guilty to assault, breaching an undertaking, and breaching a peace bond for an incident on Aug. 6, 2024 in Jacksonville; breach of an undertaking (no contact) on Feb. 18, 2024, at Canterbury, breach of an undertaking (no contact) and breach of curfew on April 1, 2024, at North Lake, breach of an undertaking (no contact) on Jan. 21, 2024, at North Lake; and two counts of assault, breach of an undertaking and breach of a peace bond on Aug. 6, 2024, in Canterbury.
