Three awaiting federal prison in Neqotkuk kidnapping
Three men from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), who acted as bounty hunters during a violent kidnapping in the community last April, are now awaiting a federal prison sentence.
Jacob Perley, 34, Adam Perley, 33, and Preston Sockabasin, 27, appeared in provincial court in custody for sentencing on June 19. 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.
Crown Prosecutor Derek Weaver told the court the men were among a group of seven individuals who acted like a gang in the kidnapping. Drugs fueled their violent actions, he said, premeditated 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 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, possessing 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 A charge of unlawful confinement was also withdrawn against Sockabasin.
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.
On Thursday, Judge Natalie LeBlanc adjourned their sentencing hearing until June 26 at 1:30 p.m. Weaver said he and Crown Prosecutor Samantha Goodine have further arguments to make, while defence lawyers Alex Carleton, Alex Pate and Dennis Sawyer will begin submissions for the three accused.
Sheena Sappier, 36, Keegan Paul, 32, and Ashley Paul, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), are also awaiting trial on charges related to the kidnapping. All three accused pleaded not guilty, and their trial is scheduled to begin on June 23. The crown expects a change of plea for all three on Monday.
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.
Keegan Paul was charged with unlawful confinement and being an occupant of a vehicle, knowing it carried a firearm. He was the alleged driver of a vehicle in which the victim was tied up and held in the trunk.
Keagan Paul and Sheena Sappier were released with conditions, including a curfew and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to their ankle. Ashley Paul was also released but was later taken back into custody.
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 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.
