Tilley man facing federal prison for kidnapping
Troy Pelkey, 56, an admitted cocaine dealer from Tilley, Victoria County, returns to court in custody on April 24 at 2:30 p.m. for a decision on the length of his federal prison sentence for orchestrating the kidnapping and torture of an Aroostook woman in 2024 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation).
On March 24, Judge Anne Marie Richard heard final submissions from Crown Prosecutors Derek Weaver and Sean Corscadden, and Defence Counsel Annie Maltais.
The Crown lawyers asked for 10 years in federal prison for Pelkey, minus time served, as well as a prohibition on firearms and an order for him to register with the federal DNA database. He must have no contact with the victim.
Maltais argued Pelkey should receive only six years in prison due to his poor health. She said the accused had spent 902 days in remand since his arrest, and his health had been deteriorating during his incarceration.
“He has heart trouble, diabetes and a lung condition that has caused him to be hospitalized while in jail,” Maltais told the court. “Ten years in prison would send him to his death.”
She explained the lung condition was related to mould at the Madawaska jail.
Weaver said there was no medical evidence before the court about Pelkey’s health. The Crown lawyer stressed the seriousness and gravity of his “deplorable” crimes that were premeditated and changed the victim’s life forever by leaving her with long-term physical injuries and emotional trauma.
“She is broken, trying to pick up the pieces of her life and is having difficulty doing so,” Weaver stated. “Six years is completely out of the ball park. A stronger message must be sent that we will not tolerate these offences in our communities.”
In December, Judge Richard found Pelkey guilty after trial on five charges of kidnapping, uttering threats, forcible confinement, extortion with violence to obtain $10,000, and pointing a firearm at a female victim between April 27 and April 29, 2024.
Pelkey was found not guilty on a remaining charge of unauthorized possession of a restricted firearm.
Six other individuals from Neqotkuk were also charged and convicted of kidnapping, and two of them testified against Pelkey. The court heard their violent actions were premeditated, fuelled by drugs, and motivated by financial gain because a bounty was offered by Pelkey for snaring the victim. Once caught, she was given 30 days to pay a debt, or she would die.
A 55-year-old Aroostook woman testified she was ambushed, kidnapped, gagged, beaten, and tortured for two days at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation). 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.
“I knew she (the victim) went through a lot and I’m sorry about that,” Pelkey told the court on Tuesday. “She was my friend.”
Kirkland man handed 30 months in jail
Larry Shane Kennedy, 50, of Kirkland, was sentenced provincially to 30 months in federal prison on March 24 after changing his plea to guilty on gun and drug trafficking charges laid by the RCMP.
Judge Karen Lee also fined Kennedy $1,450 and ordered him to register with the federal DNA database. He was also prohibited from firearms, and two guns seized during the investigation were forfeited to the Crown. The accused had a dated prior criminal record and spent 36 days in remand, which will be deducted from his sentence.
Kennedy pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine, both for the purpose of trafficking; and guilty to illegal possession of a firearm (a Russian SKS semi-automatic rifle) and improper storage of a firearm, stemming from a search warrant executed at his residence on Feb. 16, 2025, in Kirkland.
On that date, police located a stolen truck in Kennedy’s garage in Kirkland. A search of the garage turned up two firearms, one loaded, and a container of drugs sitting on the driver’s seat of the truck. The Crown said there was $3,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine and $5,000 worth of cocaine in the container, with a street value of $10,800.
Kennedy also pleaded guilty and was fined for indictable possession of methamphetamine during another search of his residence in Kirkland on May 29, 2025. He was also charged with breaching a release order, but the Crown withdrew that charge.
Defence Counsel Annie Maltais explained her client was injured in a serious accident and could no longer work. He turned to drugs and then began selling drugs to provide an income.
“I made a mistake,” Kennedy said before hearing his sentence.
Judge Lee described the accused as a mid-level trafficker who was involved in a supply chain to sell to street-level traffickers. Before his accident, Kennedy had a strong 20-year work history but had been unemployed ever since.
“Hard drugs are a scourge in the river valley,” Judge Lee said. “Methamphetamine has destroyed lives and the fabric of this community. It is the drug of preference in this area and across New Brunswick. Mr. Kennedy’s story is like the story of many others who become addicted.”
Released with ankle bracelet
Jaden Joseph Stanley Dickison, 21, of Nackawic, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on March 23 for a bail hearing on charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was also prohibited from driving.
Dickison was charged with flight from police, dangerous driving, driving while prohibited, and breach of probation for an incident on March 19 in Woodstock. He returns to court for plea on April 14 at 9:30 a.m. He has a prior criminal record.
Plea on seven charges
Ryan James Smith, 37, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on April 14 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on seven charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Smith was charged with two counts of uttering threats, three counts of breach of probation, theft, and mischief, stemming from incidents on Oct. 20, 2025, and on Jan. 7 and Jan. 9 in Woodstock.
He was arrested on March 6 and spent the weekend in remand before being released. On March 24, the charges were adjourned to the new date to allow him time to secure legal counsel.
Released with conditions
Gunner Gray, 24, of Upper Kintore, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on March 23 for a bail hearing after being arrested on five charges laid by the RCMP. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Gray returns to court for plea on April 14 at 9:30 a.m. He was charged with two counts of breaching his release order (no driving), flight from police, dangerous driving and impaired driving in connection with an incident on March 17 in Glassville.
Gray was also charged with breaching a no-contact order between Feb. 11 and Feb. 27 in Jacksonville and Bath, flight from police, and driving while suspended on Feb. 11 in Jacksonville.
Gray is also scheduled for trial in provincial court on March 18, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by the RCMP.
Gray was charged with uttering threats, resisting arrest, fleeing police and four violations of the Motor Vehicle Act for incidents on Feb. 25, April 8 and July 22, 2025. The court heard that the Crown will seek jail time on the charges.
Refusing a breathalyzer
Lindsay Dawn Harris, 22, of Waterville, appeared in provincial court on March 24 for a monitoring hearing about her trial in June. The court heard she was still without legal counsel and will represent herself at trial.
Harris pleaded not guilty to a breathalyzer charge laid by Woodstock Police, and her trial was booked for June 19 at 1:30 p.m. She was charged with refusing a breathalyzer in connection with an incident on Dec. 29, 2024, in Lower Woodstock.
Not-guilty plea
Mitchell McKenzie, 39, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on March 24 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was booked for April 15, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
McKenzie appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Feb. 12 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged by the RCMP with uttering threats and breach of probation concerning an incident on Feb. 7 at Wotstak. As part of his release, he was ordered to report weekly to the police and to have no contact with the complainant.
Plea pending on multiple charges
Brandon Travis Hamilton, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on March 24 for plea on multiple charges. All matters were adjourned until April 7 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Hamilton appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 25 and was released with conditions. He was charged with possession of two stolen snowmobiles, dangerous driving, fleeing police, driving while suspended, possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it, careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, in connection with an incident on Feb. 24 in Florenceville-Bristol.
Hamilton also appeared in provincial court in custody via video for a bail hearing on Jan. 19 and was released with conditions. He was arrested on a warrant after he failed to appear in provincial court on Dec. 30, 2025. Hamilton was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of a stolen vehicle and two counts of driving while suspended on June 9, 2025.
Beaconsfield man awaiting trial
Marshall Turner, 25, of Beaconsfield, appeared in provincial court on March 24 and pleaded not guilty to all charges laid against him by the RCMP. His trial dates were set for April 21-22, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Turner appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Feb. 19 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He must report to the RCMP every 48 hours as part of his release.
Turner was charged with breaching his release order (ankle bracelet) on Feb. 16 in Wilmot. At an earlier court appearance, he was charged with driving while prohibited on Oct. 29, 2025, at Lakeville; possession of a stolen utility trailer, driving while prohibited and breaking into a barn on Nov. 17, 2025, at Meductic. He has a prior criminal record.
In custody in federal prison
Jonathon Daniel Stockford, 36, of Hartland, will appear in provincial court in custody via video from federal prison on April 2 at 1:30 p.m. The court heard he was recently sentenced to four years in prison on charges in Fredericton.
He appeared for trial in provincial court in custody in Woodstock on March 23 after pleading not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP. The trial was adjourned until his next court appearance on April 2.
Stockford was charged with breaching his release order following an incident on Feb. 18, 2025, at Bedell, as well as with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving while suspended, and breach of probation stemming from another incident on Aug. 21, 2024, in Woodstock.
He is also awaiting plea on a theft charge. Stockford was charged with theft from Brennan’s Home Hardware Store in Woodstock on July 7, 2025.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Jan. 5 and pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession of stolen property. His trial was booked for July 13 at 9:30 a.m.
Stockford was charged by the RCMP with possession of a stolen side-by-side for an incident on July 20, 2025, at Waterville.
Stolen property allegation
Brandon Schriver, 24, of Beaconsfield, appeared in provincial court on March 24 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP. His trial was scheduled for April 16, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Schriver was charged with possession of ammunition while prohibited from having it, and possession of a stolen utility trailer following an incident on Nov. 17, 2025, at Meductic. He has a prior criminal record.
He appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Nov. 18, 2025, and was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Sentencing on assault charges
Joshua Hanlon, 30, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court on March 23 and changed his plea to guilty on one assault charge laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was set for June 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Hanlon was charged by the RCMP with assaulting a female victim between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, 2025, at Neqotkuk. Two assault charges were withdrawn by the Crown. He was released on an undertaking until his sentencing.
Damage at food bank
Elizabeth Alice Davidson, 55, of Nackawic, appeared in provincial court on March 24 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. She returns to court on April 14 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date.
Davidson was charged with breach of probation and mischief causing property damage on May 26, 2025, at the Valley Food Bank on Houlton Road.
Sentencing on firearm charge
Kathleen Paul, 35, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court on March 23 and changed her plea to guilty on one firearm charge laid by the RCMP. Her sentencing was set for June 30 at 1:30 p.m.
Paul was charged by the RCMP with possession of a prohibited firearm and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm on Sept. 25, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She pleaded guilty to the second charge, and the Crown withdrew the possession charge.
Trial in November
Makayla Phillips, 22, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court on March 24 for a monitoring hearing regarding her trial. She pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP, and her trial date was set for Nov. 9 at 9:30 a.m.
Phillips was charged with uttering threats and mischief, causing property damage to a house in an incident on Jan. 24, 2025, at Richmond Settlement. Another monitoring hearing was scheduled for April 21 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm that she has legal counsel to proceed to trial.
Charged with public mischief
Julie Anne James, 38, of Debec, will appear in provincial court on April 21 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by the RCMP.
James was charged with two counts of public mischief by misleading police in connection with incidents on Oct. 19, 2025, and Sept. 28, 2025. She was scheduled to enter a plea on March 24 when the matter was adjourned to allow her more time to secure legal counsel.
Returning for plea
Christian Cioc, 57, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on March 25 at 9:30 a.m. to answer three charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Cioc was charged with two counts of criminal harassment between Aug. 8, 2025 and Jan. 8, 2026, and stalking a female person between Oct. 18, 2025, and Jan. 26, 2026, in Woodstock.
Plea postponed
Cameron James Clark, 25, of Mapledale, appeared in provincial court on March 24 to answer charges laid by the RCMP. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for all but one set of charges.
Clark returns to court on April 7 at 9:30 a.m. to book a trial date on charges of breach of probation, resisting arrest, uttering threats, stalking a female victim, breaking into a dwelling house, assault with a weapon, assaulting another man, and mischief causing property damage to a door on Sept. 17, 2025, at Mapledale.
He was charged with stalking a female victim, dangerous driving and breach of probation on Sept. 19, 2025, in Mapledale; and breaching a release order on Oct. 21, 2025, in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants. His trial on those charges was booked for April 19, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Clark appeared in provincial court in custody by video in November for a bail hearing after being arrested for breaching his release order (ankle bracelet). He was released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing another electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. On Tuesday, he told the court he wanted to apply to have his ankle bracelet removed.
In custody awaiting trial
Logan Alexander Lagacy, 27, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on March 24 for a monitoring hearing about his trial on three charges laid by Woodstock Police. The court heard that he had legal counsel and that he would proceed to trial on April 27 at 9:30 a.m.
Lagacy was charged with dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle, breach of probation and driving while suspended following an incident on Dec. 29, 2025, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty. He was remanded to jail following a bail hearing on Jan. 5.
Facing more charges
Zachery Don Brooks, 21, of Lower Brighton, will appear in provincial court on April 14 at 9:30 a.m. to set a date for his trial on six more charges laid by the RCMP.
He was charged with breaching a no-contact order, uttering threats, assault involving a female victim, assault with a weapon (a broom and a board), assault by choking and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone on Oct. 28, 2025, at Lower Brighton. He pleaded not guilty, and a monitoring hearing was held on March 24 via teleconference.
Brooks appeared in provincial court on Jan. 6 for a monitoring hearing about his multiple trials on 20 other charges. He pleaded not guilty, and trial dates were set for May 13 at 9:30 a.m., June 24 at 9:30 a.m., Aug. 20 at 9:30 a.m., and Aug. 24 at 9:30 a.m. He told the court he had no legal counsel at any of his trials.
Brooks was charged by RCMP with five counts of assault involving a female victim, four counts of assault by choking, three counts of unlawful confinement, two counts of uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a phone cord), assault while threatening to use a weapon (a knife), possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, mischief causing damage to a cell phone, and two counts of breaching a release order (no contact).
The charges were laid in connection with a series of incidents on Nov. 24, 2024, Feb. 12, Feb. 17, May 28, June 9, June 10 and June 11, 2025, in Lower Brighton; on June 3 and June 5, 2025, in Hartland, and on Feb. 19, 2025, in Woodstock.
