Neqotkuk man sentenced to 57 months on gun charges
Stephen Perley, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 29. He was found guilty on multiple gun charges following his trial in April.
During sentencing, Judge Henrik Tonning also imposed a lifetime ban on weapons and firearms, and all guns seized during the investigation were forfeited to the crown. Perley will have 46 months left in jail once his remand time is applied. He had a prior criminal record.
RCMP charged Perley with unlawful transfer of firearms (several rifles, a sawed-off, pump action shotgun, a survival gun, air pistols, a nine-millimetre carbine, magazines and ammunition), possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition, possession of firearms while prohibited from having them, carelessly transporting firearms, possessing firearms without a licence, and possession of a gun with the serial number altered in connection with an incident on Sept. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk. Perley appeared in court in custody on Nov. 4, 2024, and was denied bail.
“These are serious offences but it doesn’t appear to be any kind of commercial operation,” Judge Tonning said. “There are strong laws on firearms and sentences imposed on firearm offences are significant.”
On April 10, the court heard testimony from a neighbour who said Perley came to a back window of his home at night and dropped off a duffle bag and gun casing to hide in the bedroom closet. He was supposed to pay the neighbour to store it.
Perley told his neighbour that an undercover police officer was at Neqotkuk and that he would be back soon for his gear. A search warrant was executed at Perley’s camper nearby about a week later. The neighbour said Perley didn’t return to his home. Three weeks later, he looked in his closet and opened the duffle bag. He got scared and went to the police to report the guns.
Perley testified at the trial and denied the allegations. He said his neighbour had a personal grievance against him, and he did not own the guns. His partner, Kathy Muller, testified she had never seen the firearms before, and they were never at her home in Perth-Andover.
Perley also appeared in provincial court in custody on March 28 and pleaded guilty to three other charges laid by the RCMP.
Perley pleaded guilty to resisting arrest on Sept. 10, 2024, at Neqotkuk; flight from police on Sept. 14, 2024, at Neqotkuk; and breach of probation by failing to report from Oct. 25, 2022, to Jan. 27, 2023. He has a prior criminal record.
Woodstock man denied bail
Allan Charles McLaughlin, 63, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 29 for a bail hearing on weapons charges related to a domestic dispute. He was denied bail and remanded. McLaughlin returns to court in custody for plea on June 12 at 9:30 a.m.
He was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (a nine-millimetre handgun), pointing a firearm at a female victim, assault with a weapon (a handgun), and careless use of a firearm in connection with an incident on April 13 in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainants. He was also charged with breaching a no-contact order on April 15 in Canterbury.
Woodstock Police attended a residence on April 13 to answer a call about a domestic dispute. During their investigation, they determined a male suspect had produced a loaded handgun and pointed it at a female victim during the altercation.
Following this incident, police executed a search warrant at the same residence, which resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns, and more than 1,500 rounds of ammunition.
Held in custody
Vinal Todd Hatto, 40, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 29 for a bail hearing. He was denied bail and returns to court in custody for plea on June 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Hatto was charged by Woodstock Police with flight from police, resisting arrest, driving while prohibited and possession of a stolen motorcycle in connection with an incident on May 28 in Lower Woodstock. More charges may be pending. Hatto has a prior criminal record.
120 days in jail or time served
Bradley Tyler Whitney, 42, of Moncton, formerly of Newbridge, was sentenced to 120 days in jail or time served when he appeared in provincial court on May 28 on several charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Whitney appeared in provincial court in custody in December and was released with conditions until his sentencing. The court heard he was entering a rehab facility in Moncton and would remain there under house arrest.
During sentencing, Judge Sebastian Michaud noted the accused was succeeding with his rehab program and beginning a new life free of addiction.
“I’m ashamed for the person I was,” Whitney told the court. “I like being sober and helping people who are where I once was.”
Whitney said he planned to stay on as a leader at the rehab facility.
He pleaded guilty to forging a doctor’s prescription for Dilaudid on July 30, 2024, in Woodstock; guilty to causing property damage to a door at a dwelling house on Slipp Street in Woodstock, guilty to uttering threats, and breach of probation on July 14, 2024.
He also pleaded guilty to a separate theft charge under $5,000 laid by RCMP for stealing a pair of boots on Dec. 17, 2023, at a store at Madawaska First Nation. He received a suspended sentence and 18 months of probation for the theft.
The crown withdrew two other charges of fraud and using counterfeit money (a $100 American bill) on Jan. 1 in Newbridge.
Whitney pleaded not guilty to other charges of assaulting a female victim, uttering threats and breach of probation on Aug. 24, 2024, in Woodstock, and assault with a weapon (a torch) involving a female victim between July 1-28, 2024, in Woodstock. His trial date was set for Sept. 29, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. He had a limited prior criminal record.
In custody for plea
Wyatt Mark Belyea, 28, of Upper Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on May 28 and was remanded to jail on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on June 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Belyea was charged with pointing a firearm at another person following an incident on May 27 in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the two complainants. Belyea has a prior criminal record.
Suspended sentence, probation
Deven Lennon, 31, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), received a suspended sentence and 12 months of probation when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing on May 28.
Lennon pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon (keys) and assault involving a female victim on Oct. 20, 2024, at Neqotkuk; assaulting a female, assault with a weapon (a bottle), and uttering threats on Nov. 5, 2024, at Neqotkuk; and assaulting a female, on Oct. 2, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
Judge Sebastian Michaud also ordered Lennon to register with the federal DNA database and to continue counselling as required. He had a dated prior criminal record.
“Mr. Lennon has taken positive steps on his own to change his behaviour and that’s to his credit,” Judge Michaud said. “We don’t see this too often.”
The court heard the charges were related to a series of domestic disputes. Lennon told the court he was remorseful and regretted his crimes.
Warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Caleb Crain, 40, of Piercemont, after he failed to appear in provincial court on May 29 for a hearing about his request to withdraw his guilty plea.
Crain appeared for sentencing in provincial court on April 9 after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until after the hearing could be held.
Crain was charged with assault causing bodily harm to a female victim, unlawful confinement, and uttering threats following an incident on Dec. 10, 2022, near Florenceville-Bristol.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser included offence of common assault and guilty to uttering threats. The crown withdrew the confinement charge. The court heard the crown was seeking a three-month jail sentence for Crain.
Decision pending after trial
Christopher Hazen Hamilton, 50, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on May 28 for closing arguments following his trial on multiple charges. Judge Sebastian Michaud reserved his decision on a verdict until July 17 at 2:30 p.m.
Hamilton pleaded not guilty to 12 charges laid by Woodstock Police. On May 28, three charges of uttering threats were dismissed with a directed verdict of not guilty due to a lack of evidence.
During the trial, Judge Sebastian Michaud heard testimony from police officers and the female victim, who described horrific details of domestic violence involving the accused.
Hamilton appeared in custody by video on June 10, 2024, and was released from custody with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
He was charged with assault involving a female victim, assault by choking, uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a broken teacup) and attempting to cause injury and suffering to a dog, concerning incidents between March 1 and May 24, 2024, in Woodstock.
Hamilton was also charged with assaulting a female victim and mischief causing property damage on May 25, 2024, and assaulting a female victim and assault with a weapon (a cigar) on May 26, 2024. The alleged incidents occurred in Woodstock. He spent several days in remand before his release.
All charges withdrawn
The crown withdrew all charges laid against John Eric Somerville, 36, of Juniper, when he appeared in provincial court on May 28.
RCMP charged Somerville with uttering threats, mischief causing property damage, and assault with a weapon (a hammer) involving a male victim on April 28, 2024, in Juniper.
He also faces charges of breaching a no-contact order and uttering threats on May 26, 2024, at Juniper. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial on all matters was set for June 25, 2025. He appeared in court in custody by video on May 27, 2024, and was released with conditions, including a curfew.
Trial continues on sex charge
Cole Tweedie, 30, of Greenfield, appeared for trial in provincial court on May 29 after pleading not guilty to a sex charge laid by the RCMP.
Tweedie was charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident on June 11, 2022, near Beechwood. The trial is scheduled to continue on May 30.
New sentencing date
Kortney Boyer, 32, of Carlingford, appeared in provincial court in custody on May 28 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear for sentencing on April 1. She was released with conditions, and a new sentencing date was set for Aug. 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Boyer appeared in provincial court on March 25 for sentencing after pleading guilty to an assault charge, but the matter was adjourned. RCMP charged her with assaulting a female victim stemming from an incident on March 18, 2024, at Bairdsville.
Released with conditions
Shelby Paul, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on May 28 after being arrested on a warrant. She was released with conditions and ordered to return to court for plea on June 17 at 9:30 a.m.
Paul was charged by RCMP with assaulting another woman and breach of probation on Jan. 29 at Neqotkuk and assault with a weapon (a phone) and breach of probation on Jan. 19 at Neqotkuk. She turned herself in to sheriffs at the courthouse on May 28 and was released on an undertaking until her next court appearance.
Sentencing reset on four charges
Ronald Dwayne Scott, 30, of Woodstock, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on June 25 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on four charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was scheduled for sentencing on May 29, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Scott was charged with assaulting another man, willfully causing damage to a vehicle, dangerous driving, and flight from police for an incident on Nov. 10, 2022, in Woodstock. He was arrested and released from custody on a release order.
Trial adjourned to August
Christopher Demerchant, 44, of Glassville, will appear for trial in provincial court on Aug. 20 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by RCMP. His trial was scheduled for May 28 but was adjourned to the new date.
Demerchant was charged with uttering threats involving a female victim and forcible entry concerning an incident on March 10, 2024, at Mount Pleasant. He was also charged with prowling at night at a dwelling house in Mount Pleasant on March 5, 2024.
The crown withdrew two charges on May 28, leaving only the threat charge for trial.
Wotstak man awaits bail hearing
Takoda Louis Lee Christian, 19, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 29 after being arrested for breaching his release order. He returns to court in custody by video for a bail hearing on June 12 at 1:30 p.m.
Christian appeared in provincial court on May 13 for a plea on multiple other charges. Those matters were adjourned until May 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Christian appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 1 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
He was charged by Woodstock Police with breach of a release order (house arrest) on April 16 at Wotstak and breach of a no-contact order on April 14 in Woodstock.
He was also charged with assault and unlawful confinement between June 29, 2024, and July 4, 2024, at Wotstak; assault and two counts of assault by choking in Fredericton between Feb. 10 and Feb. 19; and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone between Feb. 10 and Feb. 19 at Wotstak.
He was also charged with assaulting another man with a weapon (a knife), uttering threats and mischief causing property damage to a window in connection with an incident on April 8 in Lansdowne.
Christian also faces charges laid by Woodstock Police following an assault outside the Royal Canadian Legion on Nov. 14, 2024. Police were called to the scene, and a man was transported to hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Christian was charged with indictable aggravated assault, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
He also appeared in provincial court on April 15 and pleaded not guilty to another indictable assault charge laid by Woodstock Police. His trial was set for April 29, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Christian pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault concerning an incident on March 25 at the Ayr Motor Centre. Woodstock. Police said a 16-year-old victim suffered significant injuries in the incident and was transported to the Upper River Valley Hospital for treatment.
Remanded for plea
Jason Norman Dumont, 40, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court in custody for plea on June 26 at 9:30 a.m. on six charges laid by RCMP. He was scheduled for plea on May 29 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
RCMP charged Dumont with three counts of uttering threats, assault causing bodily harm, assault by choking, and breach of a peace bond. He was charged in connection with a series of incidents between March 17 and May 4 in Woodstock, between July 1-5, 2023, in Mount Pleasant, and on Oct. 24, 2015, in Mount Pleasant.
He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on May 12 and was remanded to jail.
Oakland man awaiting trial
Jefferson Ray Graham, 54, of Oakland, will appear for trial in provincial court on Dec. 12 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to an assault charge.
RCMP charged Graham with assault with a weapon following an incident on April 1 in Ashland. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on May 13.
Tilley man awaits decision
Troy Pelkey, 56, of Tilley, will appear in provincial court in custody by video on May 30 at 9:30 a.m. for a verdict following his trial on assault charges. Judge Karen Lee reserved her decision after the trial.
RCMP charged Pelkey with assault by choking, assault causing bodily harm to a female victim, and uttering threats for incidents between April 1, 2023, and Nov. 1, 2023, at Tilley. Five witnesses, including the victim, were called to testify during the trial. Pelkey testified in his own defence.
Pelkey is also in jail awaiting the continuation of his trial on other unrelated charges laid by RCMP in connection with an alleged kidnapping at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) last April.
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. That trial continues on June 2. Seven individuals have been charged in the incident.
Released on undertaking
Lewis Broad, 65, of Holmesville, will appear in provincial court on July 15 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge laid by RCMP.
Broad was charged with assaulting another man on Feb. 11 in Florenceville-Bristol. He made his first court appearance on May 27 when the matter was adjourned to the new date. Broad was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.
Neqotkuk man awaiting plea
Rodney Paul, 29, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on July 15 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges.
Paul was charged with uttering threats and mischief, causing property damage to a door, concerning an incident on Feb. 21 at Neqotkuk. He made his first court appearance on May 27 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Facing threat charge
Peti Augustino Peti, 33, of Lakeville, will appear in provincial court on July 15 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a threat charge.
RCMP charged Peti with uttering threats involving a female victim. He was released on an undertaking when he appeared in court on May 27.
Found fit to stand trial
Mackenzie O’Keefe, 28, of Tobique Narrows, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 29 for a fitness hearing following a 30-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital. Judge Henrik Tonning found him fit to stand trial in accordance with his medical report.
O’Keefe was granted a bail hearing on June 12 at 1:30 p.m. He will enter a plea after that time on charges laid by RCMP.
O’Keefe was charged with mischief causing property damage to a windshield on Oct. 26, 2023, at Tobique Narrows, and possession of a stolen vehicle and driving while suspended on Dec. 30, 2023, at Quaker Brook, Victoria County. He told the court he wanted to have a psychiatric evaluation, so a hearing date was set.
O’Keefe appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 4 after being arrested on warrants. He was released with conditions but was later remanded for a 10-day mental health assessment at the Restigouche hospital on other separate charges in Edmundston.
Bail hearing set
Daniel Jr. Francis, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 29 to set a date for his bail hearing. Judge Henrik Tonning set the date for June 12 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. His plea was adjourned until June 26 at 9:30 a.m.
Arrested for cutting off ankle bracelet
Brandon Michael Francis, 29, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 29. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on June 10 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Francis with breaching his release order by violating electronic monitoring conditions and mischief, causing damage to his ankle bracelet.
Francis and Morgan Nicholas, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), also appeared in provincial court on May 20 for a plea on charges related to an alleged break-in at a dwelling house. Francis appeared in court in custody by video.
The matter was adjourned for plea until June 10 at 9:30 a.m. to allow both accused more time to secure legal counsel.
Both men appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 1 for a bail hearing. They were released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to their ankles. Francis was brought back into custody a few days later.
Francis and Nicholas were each charged with breaking into a dwelling house, mischief causing property damage to a door and window, and assaulting another man with a wooden two-by-four in connection with an incident on April 29 at Neqotkuk. Francis also faces additional charges of uttering threats, resisting arrest, and breach of probation concerning the same incident. Both men have prior criminal records.
Trial adjourned to new date
Steven Derek Trecartin, 46, of East Brighton, appeared for trial in provincial court on May 28 after pleading not guilty to a threat charge laid by Woodstock Police.
The trial was adjourned until July 10 at 9:30 a.m. to allow for the submission of a victim impact statement. Trecartin was charged with uttering threats against a female victim following an incident on Nov. 1, 2023, in Woodstock.
Beechwood man to stand trial
Nathan Vallee, 24, of Beechwood, will appear for trial in provincial court on May 30 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP.
Vallee was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats concerning an incident on Dec. 28, 2023, in Beechwood.
Charged with impaired driving
Gregory McKay, 40, of Florenceville-Bristol, will appear in provincial court on June 10 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an impaired driving charge.
McKay was charged by RCMP, stemming from an incident on Dec. 24, 2024. He made his first court appearance on May 20, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
