Canterbury woman arrested and released
Jessica Lynn Ouellet, 35, of Canterbury, appeared in provincial court in custody on July 16 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. She returns to court for plea on Aug. 13 at 9:30 .m.
RCMP charged Ouellet with breaching a no-contact order on July 15 at Canterbury. The court heard she allegedly contacted Rodney Butler when ordered not to. Butler appeared in court on July 16 and requested the no-contact order be lifted.
Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean agreed but warned Ouellet she must still keep the peace and be of good behaviour. She left the courtroom with Butler with an order to return to court for plea.
Ouellet also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 27 and pleaded not guilty to other charges laid by RCMP. Her trial date was set for Feb. 12, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
She was charged with committing mischief causing property damage to a car, a truck, and a mailbox in Bloomfield on July 9, 2023. She was also charged with uttering threats against Rodney Butler in connection with the same incident.
Sentencing adjourned on drug charges
Stephanie Lynn Lockard, 41, of Jacksonville, was scheduled to appear for sentencing in provincial court on July 16 on drug charges laid by Woodstock Police. At the request of her defence counsel, the sentencing was adjourned until Aug. 20 at 1:30 p.m. A warrant will be kept on file until her new court date.
In April, Lockard appeared for trial in provincial court and changed her plea to guilty on a lesser included offence. She was charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and illegal possession of cannabis, stemming from an incident on Dec. 17, 2022, in Woodstock.
She pleaded guilty to indictable possession of methamphetamine and illegal possession of cannabis, and the trafficking charge was withdrawn.
Trial set following workplace accident
Snokist Ltd. of Hartford faces two Occupational Health and Safety Act charges. Defence Counsel Peter Crocco entered a non-guilty plea in provincial court on July 16 on the company’s behalf. Trial dates were set for July 9, 2025, and July 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Snokist was charged with allowing a person on a vehicle not designed for passengers and failing to take every precaution to ensure the safety of employees following a workplace accident at a tree harvesting operation on Nov. 9, 2022, near Gordonsville. One person was seriously injured during the accident.
Returning for plea
Braxton Denny, 24, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on July 16 for plea on a breach charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 6 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to seek legal counsel.
Denny appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 17 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
He was arrested on June 12 and charged with breaching a release order by failing to abstain from drugs between June 6 and June 7 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court on Jan. 16 to answer other charges for different alleged events. He pleaded not guilty on all counts.
Denny was charged with possession of stolen property on July 23, 2023, flight from police on July 22, 2023, and two counts of failing to appear in court on Oct. 17 and 24, 2023. A trial date was set for Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
He was also charged with breaking into a dwelling house and committing mischief concerning an incident on Feb. 18, 2023, in Woodstock; committing mischief causing property damage and breach of an undertaking on Dec. 9, 2022, at Upper Woodstock; and two counts of assault and committing mischief causing property damage on Dec. 8, 2022, at Upper Woodstock. A trial date was set for Sept. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Plea postponed to August
Tanna Wright of Perth-Andover appeared in provincial court on July 16 for plea on three charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Aug. 13 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Wright was charged with assault with a weapon (knives and a bat), and two counts of uttering threats stemming from an incident on Dec. 16, 2023, at Greenfield.
She appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 17. She was arrested on a warrant after failing to appear in provincial court for a plea in April. She spent the weekend in jail and was released with conditions.
Bairdsville man to stand trial
Regis Bowmaster, 30, of Bairdsville, appeared in provincial court on July 16 and pleaded not guilty to several charges laid by RCMP. His trial dates were set for June 2, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. and June 12-13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Bowmaster was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest concerning an incident on Jan. 4 at Bairdsville. He was also charged with possession of a prohibited weapon (a sawed-off shotgun), improper storage of a firearm, possession of a stolen ATV, and being an occupant of a vehicle, knowing it carried a firearm for another incident on May 27 at Perth Andover.
Bowmaster appeared in court in custody on May 30 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was arrested on a warrant and charged with breaching a release order by failing to appear in court on Feb. 13.
Upper Woodstock man charged
Andrew Joseph Weeks, 40, of Upper Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 6 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. He appeared in court on July 16 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Weeks was charged with uttering a forged document (an Alberta operator’s licence) in his name as if it was genuine concerning an incident on Dec. 11, 2023, in Woodstock.
Charged with impaired driving
Craig McKeen Cluff, 29, of Grafton, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 6 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an impaired driving charge. He appeared in court on July 16 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Woodstock Police charged Cluff following an incident on Feb. 18 in Woodstock.
Caught with counterfeit money
Mason Jacob Sullivan, 25, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 13 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. He appeared in court on July 16 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Sullivan was charged with using counterfeit money in connection with an incident on Jan. 16 in Woodstock. The charge alleges that two $100 bills and one $20 bill were passed as if they were genuine.
Arthurette man to enter plea
Nicholas William Sutthery, 40, of Arthurette, will appear in provincial court for a plea on July 30 at 9:30 a.m. on a charge of possessing stolen property.
Sutthery was charged by RCMP with possession of a stolen truck in connection with an incident between Jan. 1 and 11 at Carlingford. He appeared in court on July 16 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
In custody awaiting trial
Shawn Sullivan, 38, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 16 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. His trial was scheduled for Oct. 7 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Sullivan with breaching a peace bond and uttering threats concerning an incident on April 27 at Gladwyn. The court heard he was currently in custody on other matters in Fredericton and on a release order at the time of his arrest.
Guilty pleas on multiple charges
Kyle Lucas Stairs, 25, of Temperance Vale, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on July 16 and pleaded guilty to multiple charges. His sentencing date was set for Aug. 19 at 1:30 p.m.
Stairs has been in custody since April. He pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle and theft of fuel for an incident on April 5 at Perth-Andover.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen laptop, possession of a weapon while prohibited from having it (brass knuckles), mischief causing property damage to a police vehicle, and breach of probation concerning another incident on April 8 in Nackawic. The crown withdrew three other charges. The RCMP laid all of these charges.
Stairs also pleaded guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police, including flight from police, dangerous driving, driving while suspended, and breach of probation for an incident on April 8 in Woodstock. He also pleaded guilty to an additional charge of failing to report to probation between Dec. 5 and Dec. 8, 2023, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew one other breach of probation charge.
He also pleaded guilty to several charges from Edmundston court, including theft of a cell phone and breach of probation on Feb. 26, two counts of breaching a release order on March 24 and April 25, resisting arrest and breach of probation on Feb. 27, and theft of merchandise from the Pronature Store on Feb. 26.
Charged with leaving accident scene
Deidra Fowler, 50, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on July 16 for monitoring about her upcoming trial. Her trial is scheduled for Sept. 11 to 13 at 9:30 a.m.
Fowler was charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident concerning an incident on May 27, 2023, at Wostak. On July 16, she confirmed she would be ready for trial.
New trial date set
Memphis Tompkins, 19, of Tilley, will appear for trial in provincial court on Nov. 14-15 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three charges. His trial was first set for July 24 but was adjourned to the new date due to the court schedule.
RCMP charged Tompkins with aggravated assault, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and uttering threats for an incident at Aroostook. He was arrested on Sept. 5, 2023, and released with conditions including house arrest and a curfew. On July 16, the crown lifted those conditions.
Tompkins also pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of breach of a release order and that trial will also be held on Nov. 14.
In custody on multiple charges
Kyrin Moulton, 18, of Grand Falls, formerly of Neqotkuk, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on July 16 for plea on three charges laid by RCMP.
Moulton was charged with breach of probation and two counts of breaching a release order for incidents on June 10 at Perth Andover and Neqotkuk. The matter was adjourned for plea until July 25 at 11 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Moulton was also charged with assault involving a female victim, breach of probation, and breach of a release order stemming from an incident between April 14 and April 25 in Perth-Andover. He pleaded not guilty and waived his bail until later. A trial date was set for Aug. 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Moulton appeared in court in custody by video on May 30 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was taken back into custody on June 12.
Woodstock man facing new charges
Jack Michael Pirie, 20, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on July 16 to answer three new charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until July 23 at 9:30 a.m.
Pirie was charged with assault, assault by choking and uttering threats in connection with an incident on May 1-2 in Woodstock.
He will also appear on July 23 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on another charge laid by Woodstock Police. He was arrested on a warrant and charged with assaulting police with intent to resist arrest on June 8 in Woodstock. Pirie appeared in provincial court in custody on June 10 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.
Plaster Rock man remains in remand
Steven Frank Powers, 59, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on July 16 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until July 23 at 11 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Powers was remanded in February for a mental health assessment at Restigouche Hospital after being arrested by RCMP. He was charged with breach of an undertaking and breach of probation for an incident in Plaster Rock. He has since been transferred back to jail in Madawaska and waived his bail until later.
On July 16, Defence Counsel Lindsay Paul told the court she wanted to review the fitness report on his mental health assessment before Powers entered his plea.
Sentencing set on probation breach
Billie Jean Kinney, 27, of Woodstock, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Oct. 29 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading guilty to one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Kinney was charged with breach of probation for failing to report to the probation office as ordered by the court between Dec. 27, 2022, and Feb. 7 of this year. The crown withdrew one other breach charge.
Charges withdrawn after arrest
Martina Grant, 25, of Bath, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 15 and was released with all charges against her withdrawn.
Grant was arrested on a warrant. The RCMP charged her with two counts of breaching a curfew on Dec. 5, 2023, and April 20, 2023, mischief, breaking into a vacant house, and breach of an undertaking for a separate incident on Dec. 4, 2022, in Gordonsville. The crown withdrew all of them.
Plaster Rock woman released with conditions
Makayla Marie Shaw, 26, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 15 and was released with conditions. She returns to court for plea on Aug. 13 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Shaw with causing a disturbance, mischief, and breach of a peace bond for an incident on July 10 at Anderson Road.
Denied bail and remanded
Brittany Francis, 34, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 11 for a bail hearing. She was denied bail and remanded.
Francis was charged with breaching her conditional sentence order. She was arrested on a warrant and returns to court in custody for a hearing on July 23 at 1:30 p.m. The RCMP also charged her with breaching curfew on Feb. 15 at Neqotkuk.
Francis received a 180-day conditional sentence order of house arrest in January after pleading guilty to several theft charges. Her house arrest included following a curfew. The court heard she had 150 days left to serve at the time of her arrest.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Marc Morin, 24, of Aroostook, after failing to appear for a provincial court trial on July 15.
RCMP charged Morin with possessing a stolen snowmobile and obstructing a police officer in connection with an incident on March 6, 2023, in Carlingford. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set.
In custody awaiting plea
Matthew McGrath, 30, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 15 for a bail hearing. He waived his bail until later and returned to court in custody for a plea on Aug. 6 at 11 a.m.
McGrath was charged by RCMP with assault involving a female victim, uttering threats, resisting arrest and breach of probation in connection with an incident on June 26 at Plaster Rock. He is also facing other charges in Edmundston.
Following his arrest, he was remanded to the Restigouche hospital for a mental health assessment until July 10.
Released with ankle bracelet
Zachary Sarchfield, 30, of Wostak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 15 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He returns to court for plea on Aug. 13 at 1:30 p.m.
Sarchfield was arrested on a warrant. RCMP charged him with two counts of unlawful confinement, assault, and possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence.
He appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Jan. 18 after being arrested on a warrant in Fredericton. He was released with conditions but failed to return to court for plea in February. Sarchfield also failed to appear in court to answer charges on Jan. 16 and a warrant was issued.
Remanded for plea
Trevor Crain, 49, of Killoween, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 12 for a bail hearing. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on July 23 at 10 a.m.
Crain was charged by RCMP with possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), resisting arrest, and breach of a release order in connection with an incident on July 1 at Killoween. He was also charged with breaking into a residence and committing sexual assault for another incident between May 1 and May 23, 2023, at Moose Mountain.
He also faces a charge of possessing stolen property for a separate incident on May 5. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date will be set for his next court appearance.
Crain was scheduled to appear for trial on July 11 after pleading not guilty to a series of other charges. However, those matters were adjourned until after his plea on the new charges.
Crain was charged by RCMP with breaking and entering a dwelling house and breaching an undertaking on June 15, 2023, at Moose Mountain, and committing an assault involving a female victim on June 11, 2023, at Killoween.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 14, 2023, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was ordered to follow a curfew and report to the police weekly as part of his release order but was brought back into custody.
In custody on new charges
Mitchell Sutthery, 38, of Arthurette, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 11 for plea on three charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until July 23 at 11 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Sutthery appeared in court in custody on May 27 and waived his bail until later. He was arrested on May 24 and charged with breach of a conditional sentence order, resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer, and breach of probation. The court heard the breach of a conditional sentence order was a new charge, alleged to have occurred for a second time.
Released with conditions until trial
Gary Frederick Kilcollins, 48, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on July 12 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. On July 16, he returned to court and pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial dates were set for July 17-18, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Kilcollins was charged by Woodstock Police with break-and-enter at a dwelling house, theft of a TV, breach of probation for an incident between April 8 and April 16 in Woodstock, and driving while suspended on Dec. 7, 2023.
He was also charged with theft from the Woodstock Superstore on March 24 and theft from the Vie Thrift Boutique on April 13. A mischief charge was also laid for an incident on Jan. 2 when a window was broken at another property in town.
He was also charged with breach of probation and theft from Home Hardware in Woodstock on Jan. 15.
Back in custody for bail hearing
Lucas Green, 19, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court in custody on July 25 at 1:30 p.m. for a bail hearing on charges of mischief and uttering threats. He was scheduled for a bail hearing on July 15 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Green appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 2 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was scheduled to return for plea on July 23 at 9:30 a.m. but was taken back into custody.
Green was living in Newbridge. He was charged with uttering threats and committing mischief causing property damage to a door in an incident on June 15 at Mapledale.
Green also appeared in provincial court for sentencing on April 23 after pleading guilty to an assault charge laid by RCMP. His sentencing was set for Aug. 13 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the completion of a pre-sentence report.
Green was charged with aggravated assault against another man and committing mischief causing property damage to a vehicle in connection with an incident on Oct. 19, 2023, at Richmond Corner.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of assault causing bodily harm. The crown intends to withdraw the mischief charge at sentencing.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for John Howard Carmichael, 65, of Centreville, after failing to appear for provincial court trial on July 12.
Carmichael was charged with possession of a firearm without a licence, transporting a firearm in a careless manner, and impaired driving concerning an incident on July 7, 2023, at Wostak (Woodstock First Nation). He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set.
Facing threat charge
Jacob Jinson, 25, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on July 30 at 9:30 a.m. to answer a threat charge. He appeared in court on July 16 for plea when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Jinson appeared in provincial court in custody on April 17 and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him with uttering threats for an incident on April 10 at Somerville.
Sentencing set for impaired driving
Ronald Johnston, 68, of Lincoln, appeared in provincial court on July 15 and changed his plea to guilty on an impaired driving charge. He returns to court for sentencing on Oct. 15 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Johnston following an incident on July 16, 2021, in Perth-Andover. He was scheduled for trial on Aug. 14, 2023, and Jan. 10 but failed to attend either court date. He was arrested on a warrant and appeared in court in custody from Fredericton on Feb. 28, when he was released again on conditions.
Awaiting sentencing decision
Trevor Lee Bear, Jr., 27, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on July 16 for sentencing after pleading guilty to two of four charges laid by RCMP.
Following submissions from both the crown and defence counsel, Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean adjourned his decision until Aug. 27 at 1:30 p.m. The crown asked for a 14-month jail sentence for the accused, while the defence suggested a nine-month conditional sentence of house arrest.
Bear was charged with prowling, breaking into a dwelling house, assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim, and taking possession of a minor without having lawful care or consent in connection with an incident on Feb. 1 at Neqotkuk. He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Feb. 5 and was released with conditions.
He pleaded guilty in April to assault, causing bodily harm, and breaking into a dwelling house. The crown withdrew the remaining charges.
On July 9, the court heard the incident involved a domestic dispute with Bear pushing his way into a residence and punching a woman in the face. She was bruised and bloodied as a result of the attack. Photos of her injuries were submitted into evidence by the crown. Bear had no prior criminal record.
The crown also recommended 18 months of probation and an order for Bear to register with the federal DNA database. He would also be prohibited from using firearms for 10 years and must have no contact with the complainant.
Defence Counsel Jonathon Martin told the court Bear was remorseful and struggled with mental health issues as a result of heavy cannabis use.
Trial postponed until October
Brittany Priscilla King, 27, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on July 15 on charges laid by Woodstock Police. The trial was adjourned until Oct. 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Woodstock Police charged King with assault with a weapon (a knife), assault causing bodily harm to a male victim, theft, and breaking into a dwelling house concerning an incident on Nov. 5, 2023, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty.
She was also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, dangerous driving, committing mischief causing property damage and assault using a vehicle following an incident on Sept. 17, 2023, in Woodstock; possession of a stolen vehicle on Nov. 22, 2022, and failing to attend court on Feb. 21, 2023. She pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Aug. 23 at 1:30 p.m.
King was recently sentenced to 150 days in jail or time served on other charges. She was released with conditions until trial, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle.
Awaiting sentencing on trafficking charges
Ronald McLaughlin, 33, of St. Stephen, appeared for sentencing in provincial court in custody via teleconference on July 16 after pleading guilty to five charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until Aug. 12 at 1:30 p.m.
McLaughlin appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 30. The RCMP charged him with dangerous driving, driving while suspended, and driving without insurance stemming from an incident on Jan. 29 in Grafton. The court heard he was being held in custody on other charges in Saint John.
On April 12, McLaughlin was also charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking in connection with the same incident in Grafton. On May 2, an additional charge was laid for failing to appear in court on March 5.
Another arrest warrant was issued on May 28 for a co-accused, Erica Ann Trecartin, 28, of Lower Brighton.
Jointly charged in violent kidnapping
Preston Sockabasin, 27, Adam Perley, 33, and Jacob Perley, 34, of Neqotkuk, appeared in provincial court on July 16 for plea on multiple charges stemming from a violent kidnapping at Tobique First Nation in April. Both Adam Perley and Jacob Perley appeared in custody.
RCMP jointly charged them with forcible confinement by choking and suffocation, unlawful confinement, administering a noxious substance, using a handgun to kidnap a female victim, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, assault causing bodily harm, and extortion with violence to obtain $10,000. The matter was adjourned for plea until Aug. 20 at 11 a.m.
Jacob Perley was also charged with pointing a firearm at a female victim, possession of a restricted weapon (a handgun), and obstructing a police officer.
He was also charged with breaching a conditional sentence order (house arrest). He appeared in court in custody by video on June 3 and was remanded to complete the rest of his sentence (317 days) behind bars.
On June 18, Jacob Perley was also ordered to serve another 27 days in jail for defaulting on a $1,200 fine for suspended driving. He will also stand trial in January on fraud charges.
Sockabasin is also facing a charge of possession of a firearm without a licence and charges of dangerous driving and flight from police for a separate incident on May 7 at Neqotkuk.
Adam Perley appeared in court in custody by video for a bail hearing on May 30 and was denied bail.
Troy Pelkey, 56, of Tilley, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 18 and pleaded not guilty to charges related to the alleged kidnapping. His three-day trial was set for Sept. 11-13 at 9:30 a.m. Pelkey was denied bail on May 10.
On July 16, the court heard the crown intends to apply to jointly charge Pelkey with the same offences as Adam Perley, Jacob Perley and Preston Sockabasin. The crown will bring the matter forward on Aug. 20 at 11 a.m.
Sheena Sappier, 36, and Keagan Paul, 32, both of Neqotkuk, appeared in provincial court for a plea on July 4. The RCMP jointly charged Sappier, Keagan Paul, and Ashley Paul, 33, in relation to the same alleged kidnapping. Their pleas were adjourned until July 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Sappier was charged with two counts of unlawful confinement, attempting to obstruct justice by disposing of evidence, and theft of a motor vehicle. Keagan Paul is facing similar charges.
Ashley Paul, 33, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 27 and was denied bail. She was charged with two counts of unlawful confinement, kidnapping, theft of a motor vehicle, and attempting to obstruct justice by disposing of evidence.
She is also facing other separate charges. She pleaded not guilty to unlawful entry at a dwelling house and breach of probation on Feb. 14 at Neqotkuk, assaulting another woman and breach of probation on March 2 at Perth-Andover, obstructing police on April 11 at Neqotkuk, and failing to appear in court on March 19.
A trial date of Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. was set for the March 2 and April 11 incidents. A trial date for the Feb. 14 incident will be set at her next court appearance.
Ashley Paul was also charged with uttering a forged document ($2,000), possession of stolen cheques, fraud, and breach of probation for an incident on Oct. 10, 2023, at Perth-Andover. She will enter a plea to this set of charges at her next court appearance on July 18. Paul has a limited prior criminal record.
Keagan Paul and Sockabasin appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 6 for their bail hearings.
They were released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to their ankles. They must also follow a curfew and undergo a 90-day drug rehabilitation program in their community.
Both men were ordered to abstain from alcohol and drugs, and they were prohibited from possessing firearms. Paul and Sockabasin were also ordered to have no contact with the victim or any of the five others charged in the crime.
Sappier appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 31 for her bail hearing and was released with conditions, including a curfew and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle. She must also enter a drug rehab program in her community.
The victim, a 54-year-old woman from Florenceville-Bristol, was kidnapped at gunpoint, held against her will for two days, assaulted, and administered a noxious substance with intent to extort $10,000. She was treated at hospital with significant, but non-life threatening injuries, and has since been released.
A total of 62 charges were laid, including using a handgun to kidnap a female victim, extortion, uttering threats, assault, assault causing bodily harm, administering a noxious substance, forcible confinement using a choke hold, plastic bag and tape, possession of a prohibited firearm, pointing a firearm, careless use of a firearm, resisting arrest, unlawful confinement, theft of a motor vehicle, obstructing justice by disposing of evidence, and possession of a firearm without a licence.
The RCMP police dog service and air services assisted with the kidnapping investigation and arrests of the seven individuals charged. Police say the investigation is ongoing. A search warrant was executed at a residence at Neqotkuk on May 6.
