Three await sentencing in Neqotkuk kidnapping
Preston Sockabasin, 27, Adam Perley, 33, and Jacob Perley, 34, all of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on May 5 and changed their plea to guilty on multiple charges related to a violent kidnapping in the community last April.
Judge Natalie LeBlanc set their sentencing date for June 19 at 9:30 a.m. A federal prison term is expected for all three accused.
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 A charge of unlawful confinement was also withdrawn against Sockabasin.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 recently taken back into custody.
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.
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.
Keegan Paul was charged with unlawful confinement, using a gun to kidnap a female victim, and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm.
All three accused pleaded not guilty, and their five-day trial was scheduled for June 23-25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. and July 28-29, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
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 began on March 26 before Judge Anne M. Richard and continued on April 1-2. The trial was adjourned to May 8 at 9:30 a.m. and June 2 at 9:30 a.m. He has been in jail since his arrest last year.
A 54-year-old Aroostook woman testified in provincial court on March 26 about being kidnapped, gagged, beaten, and tortured for two days at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) last April.
She told the court 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.
Remanded for bail hearing
Daniel Jr. Francis, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on May 6 and was remanded to jail. He returns to court in custody for a bail hearing on May 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Francis was charged by RCMP with two counts of assault with a weapon (a knife) involving two male victims, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and possession of ammunition while prohibited, concerning an incident on May 5 at Neqotkuk.
60 days house arrest
Malcolm Christopher Demerchant, 56, of Scott Siding, was sentenced on May 6 to 60 days of house arrest after pleading guilty to driving while prohibited.
Demerchant was charged by the RCMP in connection with an incident on Dec. 14, 2023, at Somerville. He had a prior criminal record.
Fined $2,600
Alec Atherton, 36, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on May 2 and changed his plea to guilty on a breathalyzer charge laid by RCMP. He was fined $2,600 and was prohibited from driving for one year.
Atherton was charged with illegal possession of cocaine and refusing a breathalyzer concerning an incident on March 1, 2024, at Bloomfield. The crown withdrew the drug charge at sentencing.
Canterbury man awaits sentencing
Chase Rodbard, 21, of Canterbury, appeared in provincial court on May 6 and pleaded guilty to two impaired driving charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing date was set for Aug. 12 at 1:30 p.m.
Rodbard pleaded guilty to impaired driving on Oct. 26, 2024, at Hay Settlement, and guilty to impaired driving on Sept. 15, 2024, in Lower Woodstock. The crown withdrew three other charges.
Trial adjourned to new date
Travis Wade Johnston, 38, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on May 5 after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial was adjourned until Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Johnston was released on an undertaking until his trial. He was charged with two counts of breaching a no-contact order for alleged incidents in Woodstock on March 25 and April 2, 2024.
He also appeared in provincial court on April 16, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to several more charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Johnston was charged with two counts of uttering threats, assault involving a female victim, unlawful confinement, committing mischief by removing data from a cell phone, and criminal harassment concerning a series of incidents that took place in Woodstock between Sept. 1-30, 2023, on Feb. 17 and Jan. 31, 2024, and between Aug. 1, 2023, and March 12, 2024.
Johnston appeared in provincial court in custody on March 20, 2024, and was remanded for a bail hearing. Woodstock Police arrested him two days after his first release from custody.
He appeared in court in custody on March 18, 2024, and was released with conditions, including a no-contact order. He was back in custody on March 20, 2024, for breaching the order and was remanded for a bail hearing on March 21, 2024. He was rereleased with amended conditions.
Not-guilty plea on three charges
Ian Washburn, 55, of Holmesville, appeared in provincial court on May 6 and pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. His trial was set for May 20, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. and May 21, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Washburn was charged with two counts of assault and committing an indecent act in connection with an incident on Oct. 13, 2024. He was also charged with driving while suspended for an incident on Feb. 9 in Oakland.
Awaiting trial for assault
Tristan Alexander Calhoun, 38, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on May 6 and pleaded not guilty to an assault charge. His trial date was set for April 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Calhoun was charged by Woodstock Police with assaulting a woman, stemming from an incident between March 31 and Oct. 30, 2024, in Woodstock. A monitoring date was set for Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Returning for plea
Nekko Dominique, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on May 6 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until May 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Dominique appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 15 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He is residing at a residence in Carlingford.
RCMP charged Dominique with breaching a release order (curfew), theft, and breach of probation for an incident on April 12 at Neqotkuk.
Coldstream man awaiting plea
Damian Oakes, 26, of Coldstream, appeared in provincial court on May 6 to answer two new charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Oakes was charged with uttering threats and unlawful entry at a dwelling house in connection with an incident on Dec. 2, 2024, at Coldstream.
He also appeared in provincial court on March 4 and pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by the RCMP. On Tuesday, new trial dates were set for April 10, 2026, and April 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Oakes was charged with indictable sexual assault, touching for a sexual purpose, and using a weapon to commit an assault (a lighter) in connection with an incident between Jan. 1, 2017 and Dec. 13, 2021. A pre-trial conference will be held on Oct. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Alleged assault at Dead Creek
Bradley Collicott, 50, of Dead Creek, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on May 6 to answer an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel, who appeared in court on his behalf.
RCMP charged Collicott with assault involving a female victim following an incident on Nov. 3, 2024, at Dead Creek.
Returning for plea
Brett Roger Chase, 26, of Central Waterville, appeared in provincial court on May 6 to answer one charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until May 27 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal 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.
Plea adjourned to new date
Earl James Demerchant, 35, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on May 20 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was scheduled to be in court on May 6 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Demerchant appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on March 10 and was released with conditions. Woodstock Police charged him with breaching his release order for an incident on March 8.
Woodstock Police also charged Demerchant with assaulting police, resisting arrest and breach of probation following an incident on Jan. 12 in Woodstock. RCMP also charged him with breach of probation for an incident on Nov. 3, 2024, in Waterville.
Awaiting plea
Christopher Elliott, 35, of Wapske, appeared in provincial court on May 6 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until June 3 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Elliott appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 10 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him with breaking into a dwelling house and breach of probation concerning an incident on March 31 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation). He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants.
New trial date
Tyler Vrieze, 29, of Debec, appeared in provincial court on May 6 to set a new date for his trial on a stolen property charge. His trial was rescheduled for June 19 at 1:30 p.m.
Vrieze was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of stolen property (an ATV) on July 27, 2023, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty. A monitoring date was also set for June 3 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he has legal counsel to proceed.
Charged with trafficking
Michelle Augustine of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on May 6 to answer a drug trafficking charge.
Augustine was charged by RCMP with trafficking in cocaine in connection with an incident on Aug. 30, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She was released on an undertaking until her next court appearance.
In custody awaiting trial
Mitchell LaFrance, 26, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 6 for monitoring about his trial. His trial date was moved up to Aug. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
LaFrance was taken into custody on a charge of breaching his release order for an incident on Jan. 24 in Edmundston. He pleaded not guilty to charges laid in Woodstock. A monitoring date for his trial was set for June 19 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he will have legal counsel to proceed.
RCMP charged LaFrance in connection with an alleged breach of his house arrest on Dec. 7, 2024. He pleaded not guilty.
RCMP also charged him with breaching a no-contact order for an incident on Sept. 21, 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol. He also faces an additional charge of assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim stemming from an incident on July 19, 2024, at Carlingford. He pleaded not guilty.
LaFrance was sentenced to 99 days in jail when he appeared in provincial court on Feb. 13 after pleading guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP. He was also placed on 12 months of probation.
He pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking by failing to comply with a no-contact order at East Brighton on Oct. 2, 2023.
He also pleaded guilty to criminal harassment for incidents between Aug. 28 and Sept. 25, 2023, in Lower Brighton, involving the same female complainant. The court heard he tried to contact the same female victim hundreds of times by phone, text message and on Facebook. The crown withdrew a threat charge.
Charged with breaching house arrest
Gavin Schloemer, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on May 6 for a hearing about an alleged breach of his house arrest. The hearing was adjourned until May 12 at 1:30 p.m., when his legal counsel will be present in court.
Schloemer appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing on April 3. He was released with conditions to await the hearing about an alleged breach of his house arrest on April 1. He denied the allegation. The court heard if he is found guilty, he will have to finish his sentence behind bars.
On Feb. 4, he was handed 12 months of house arrest when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing. He was ordered to follow a curfew for the first six months and complete 50 hours of community service work. He was also ordered to seek counselling and treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and anger management.
Schloemer appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Sept. 27, 2024, and was released with conditions. He pleaded guilty to breaching a release order (house arrest) concerning an incident on Sept. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
Schloemer also pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and assaulting police on June 21, 2024, at Neqotkuk and assaulting police on June 21, 2024, at Williamstown. The crown withdrew another charge of failing to appear in court.
