Meductic man sentenced to six months in jail for child luring
Brian Trevor Fox, 47, of Meductic, was sentenced to six months in jail when he appeared in provincial court on May 8 on a charge of child luring.
Judge Sebastian Michaud also placed Fox on 18 months of probation and ordered him to seek counselling. He must also register with the federal DNA database and join the national registry for sex offenders for 10 years.
Fox pleaded guilty to using a computer system to lure a child (female minor) in connection with incidents between Nov. 1 and Nov. 26, 2019, at Meductic. The crown withdrew three other charges laid by the RCMP. He had no prior criminal record.
Graphic evidence submitted by the crown included transcripts of several sexually explicit messages and photos exchanged between Fox and the victim during online conversations on Facebook over two months.
In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Michaud said Fox accepted responsibility for his crime and expressed shame and regret for his actions. However, the judge said the accused did not show genuine remorse for what he did to the victim or the psychological suffering she endured.
“This is a serious offence and the moral culpability is high for Mr. Fox,” said Judge Michaud. “He has failed miserably in his actions toward the victim he knew was under age.”
While describing Fox’s sexually-charged messages as “abhorrent,” Michaud spoke about the harmful effects of online luring, which leaves victims blaming themselves for participating and falling into the trap set by the offender.
The judge said this type of criminal activity may not result in physical contact. Still, it reaches into the homes and bedrooms of children and youth, places where they should feel safe from predators who want to manipulate them and violate their sexual integrity for personal gratification.
Fox’s cell phone, seized during the police investigation, was forfeited to the crown. During an earlier court appearance, he told the court the revelations had “literally destroyed his life.” He hung his head during the proceedings on Wednesday and left court quietly in handcuffs, escorted by sheriffs.
Six in custody following alleged kidnapping at Neqotkuk
Six individuals from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court in custody on May 7 and May 8 in relation to an alleged kidnapping in the community.
Jacob Perley, Ashley Paul, Sheena Sappier, Keegan Paul, Preston Sockabasin, and Adam Perley were arrested by RCMP on April 27 and 28. They were remanded to jail to await their bail hearings on May 9.
All of them but Ashley Paul were charged with using a handgun to kidnap a female victim. Jacob Perley was also charged with breaching a conditional sentence order. More charges may be pending against him.
Ashley Paul was charged with unlawful confinement of a female victim and failing to attend court to answer other separate charges on March 19. She was also jailed for contempt for using foul language during her court appearance on May 7.
On April 5, Jacob Perley appeared in provincial court for his trial on drug trafficking charges. After one day of testimony involving police evidence, the trial was adjourned until May 23 at 9:30 a.m.
He was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, production of cocaine, unlawful possession of ketamine (a date rape drug), possession of methamphetamine, obstruction, and breach of an undertaking in connection with an incident on Aug. 26, 2022, at Neqotkuk. He pleaded not guilty.
The charges were laid after executing a search warrant at his residence. A quantity of cocaine, scales, $1,745 in cash, a cell phone, drug paraphernalia and video surveillance equipment were located on the premises. Another substance was allegedly found in Perley’s wallet. During the trial, the court heard Perley “actively resisted police” at the door and inside the house. His grandmother lived upstairs.
Jacob Perley also appeared in provincial on March 12 to set a date for his trial on fraud charges laid by RCMP. His trial was set for Jan. 22-23, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Perley was charged with possessing forged documents (cheques) and defrauding the band office of over $5,000 between June 13 and Oct. 6, 2023, at Neqotkuk. He pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on Feb. 2.
Ashley Paul is awaiting a plea on several other matters. On April 12, she appeared in provincial court in custody after being arrested on a warrant and spent the weekend in jail. She failed to appear in court for plea on March 19 on multiple charges laid by RCMP, and an arrest warrant was issued. On April 15, she also faced a new charge of resisting arrest.
Paul appeared in provincial court in custody on March 4 and was released with conditions but failed to return for plea. She was charged with uttering a forged document (a $2,000 cheque), possession of stolen property (cheques), fraud, and breach of probation, stemming from an incident on Oct. 10, 2023, near Perth-Andover.
She was also charged with unlawful entry at a dwelling house and breach of probation for an incident on Feb. 14 at Neqotkuk, and assaulting another woman and breach of probation on March 2 near Perth-Andover.
Sentenced to 35 days in jail
Shane Lee Dickison, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on May 7 and was sentenced to 35 days in jail after pleading guilty to three charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP.
He was also fined $100 and placed on 12 months of probation. Dickison was ordered to seek counselling for mental health and addiction. He had no prior criminal record.
He pleaded guilty to flight from police on Sept. 27, 2023, at Teeds Mill. The court heard he fled on an ATV down a trail near Hodgdon Road.
Dickison also pleaded guilty to breaching a no-contact order on Jan. 11 and violating an emergency intervention order on June 18, 2023, in Woodstock.
On May 7, he faced new charges of two counts of assault with a weapon (a knife) involving another man, two counts of uttering threats, breach of a peace bond, and resisting arrest in connection with incidents on April 23 and May 6 in Lower Woodstock.
Fled from court to avoid jail
Ashlee Marie McCoy, 35, of Maplehurst, appeared in provincial court on May 7 for a default hearing about non-payment of a $1,500 fine dating back two years.
Judge Nicole Angers sentenced her to 15 days in jail on a warrant of committal.
McCoy fled the courthouse in tears before sheriffs could get her in handcuffs. She was arrested outside and, with the help of a friend, immediately came up with the $1,500 owed to the court so she could be released from custody.
RCMP charged McCoy with failing a breathalyzer and impaired driving in relation to an incident on Oct. 21, 2021, in Holmesville.
She pleaded guilty in February 20222 to the breathalyzer offence, and the crown withdrew the other charge.
McCoy was fined $1,500 and prohibited from driving for 12 months. The court heard she missed a turn and left the road, ending up in a garden patch where her vehicle became stuck in the mud. She admitted to the court that she was intoxicated at the time.
Fined $1,000 for impaired driving
James Paul Perley, 30, of Neqotkuk, appeared for trial in provincial court on May 6 and changed his plea to guilty on an impaired driving charge. He was fined $1,000 and prohibited from driving for one year.
Perley was charged by RCMP in connection with an incident on March 25, 2023, at Neqotkuk.
Perth-Andover man found not guilty
Joseph Martin, 37, of Perth-Andover, appeared for trial in provincial court on May 6 after pleading not guilty to a series of charges laid by RCMP. He was found not guilty.
Martin also appeared in provincial court in custody on July 18, 2023, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged by RCMP with assault with a weapon (a baseball bat) involving a female victim, uttering threats, and committing mischief causing property damage in connection with a July 18, 2023, incident at Perth-Andover.
Agreed to peace bond
Steven James Gagne, 28, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on May 6 on six charges laid by Woodstock Police. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the trial did not proceed.
Gagne was charged with two counts of assault, two counts of assault with a weapon (a baseball bat), and two counts of uttering threats concerning an incident on April 23, 2023, in Woodstock. The charges involved both a female victim and a male victim. The peace bond will result in the charges being withdrawn.
Released with ankle bracelet and house arrest
Hilton Romeo Fredericks, 26, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 7. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Fredericks pleaded not guilty to several charges laid by Woodstock Police. Trial dates were set for Jan. 13 and Jan. 15, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. During his release, he will reside in a trailer on Bear Trap Point Road, York County.
The court heard Fredericks will return to court on May 28 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a separate breach charge stemming from an incident between Feb. 16 and March 16 in Woodstock.
On April 15, he appeared in provincial court in custody by video to answer a charge of breaching his release order. On April 13, Woodstock Police charged him with being at large on a release order. He was wearing an ankle bracelet at the time. He waived his bail on April 18 and was remanded.
He appeared in provincial court in custody on April 11 for a bail hearing on a charge of breaching his release order. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Woodstock Police charged him with breaching his release order by being at large at a Woodstock residence and by violating a no-contact order on April 6.
Fredericks appeared in court in custody on April 4 and was charged with assaulting another man concerning an incident on April 2 in Woodstock. He was released with conditions but returned to custody.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody on March 18 on a charge of breaching his release order laid by Woodstock Police. He was released with conditions at that time but was re-arrested.
Fredericks appeared in provincial court on March 12 and pleaded not guilty to two other charges laid by Woodstock Police. Woodstock Police charged him with assault involving a female victim and breach of an undertaking in connection with an incident on Jan. 23 in Woodstock. He was brought into custody on Jan. 26 and spent the weekend in jail.
Arrested on a warrant
Jordan Perley, 35, of Neqotkuk, was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court on April 9. He appeared in court in custody on May 8 and was released with conditions. He returns to court for plea on May 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Perley appeared in provincial court in custody on March 19 and was remanded. He was released with conditions following a bail hearing on March 21.
Perley was charged by RCMP with two counts of attempted break and enter at a dwelling house and two counts of mischief causing property damage on Jan. 1 at Neqotkuk; attempted break and enter at a dwelling house, mischief, possession of a prohibited weapon (a butterfly knife), and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace on March 18 at Neqotkuk.
Trial set for Clearview man
Kyle Laurie Williams, 35, of Clearview, appeared in provincial court on May 7 for monitoring about his trial. He told the court he still needed legal counsel. Another monitoring date was set for June 4 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to get a lawyer.
Williams is scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to one charge laid by RCMP. He was charged with transmitting intimate images without consent concerning an incident on June 4, 2023, at Centreville. Williams entered his not-guilty plea during a court appearance on Jan. 9.
New sentencing date
Darren Richard Hamilton, 43, of Woodstock, appeared in court in custody by video on May 7 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court for sentencing in April.
Hamilton pleaded guilty to failing to appear in court and will be sentenced at his next court appearance. He waived his bail until later and was remanded to jail for sentencing on May 21 at 1:30 p.m.
He appeared in provincial court in custody on April 3 for sentencing on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. His sentencing was adjourned to April 30, and he was released with conditions but did not return to court.
Hamilton was arrested on a warrant after failing to appear in provincial court for plea on Feb. 6. He was charged with breaking into a dwelling house to commit mischief concerning an incident between Aug. 5-6, 2023, in Woodstock. He pleaded guilty and waived his bail.
On April 3, the court heard Hamilton had been homeless for some time. He spent 42 days in custody before his release to await sentencing. He was ordered to return to court on April 30, or another arrest warrant would be issued.
Arrested and released with conditions
Dawson Jason Kinney, 22, of New Denmark, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on May 7 after failing to appear in court in March. He was released with conditions and returns to court for a plea on May 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Kinney was charged by RCMP with impaired driving (by drugs) in connection with an incident on Dec. 6, 2023, at Sisson Ridge. He made his first court appearance on Feb. 13 when the matter was adjourned to March 12.
On May 7, Kinney told the court he was now living in Saint John but agreed to attend court in Woodstock on May 28.
Sentencing postponed for a week
Philip Sapper-Solomon, 30, of Neqotkuk, appeared in provincial court in custody for sentencing on May 8 after pleading guilty to two of 14 charges laid by RCMP.
His sentencing was postponed until May 14 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond on five of the charges.
Sappier-Solomon was arrested in connection with an incident on Sept. 17, 2023, near Beechwood. He was charged with possession of a restricted weapon (a handgun) while prohibited; possession of ammunition while prohibited; possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence; two counts of possession of a restricted weapon without a licence; being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm; possession of a loaded, restricted firearm (a handgun); assault and assault by choking involving a female victim; assault with a weapon (a cell phone); two counts of uttering threats; committing mischief causing property damage to a phone and tires, and mischief causing damage to a police vehicle.
On April 4, Sappier-Solomon pleaded guilty to possession of a restricted weapon (a handgun) while prohibited and possession of ammunition while prohibited. The crown withdrew any remaining charges.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 13, 2023, for a bail hearing and was remanded to await his trial.
Neqotkuk woman to stand trial
Rachel Sockabasin, 40, of Neqotkuk, appeared in provincial court on May 7 and pleaded not guilty to multiple theft charges laid by RCMP. She returns to court on May 14 at 1:30 p.m. to set a date for her trial.
Sockabasin appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 28 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. She was charged with breach of an undertaking, breach of probation and three counts of theft concerning incidents on Feb. 12, Aug. 11, 2023, and Dec. 22, 2023, at the Ultramar in Carlingford.
Sentencing set for Woodstock woman
Brittany Priscilla King, 27, of Upper Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on May 7 for trial on a series of charges laid by Woodstock Police. The trial was adjourned until Aug. 23 at 1:30 p.m. at the crown’s request.
King was charged with assault, theft and breaking into a dwelling house for an incident on Nov. 5, 2023, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty.
King pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property, two counts of assaulting a police officer, and resisting arrest for an incident on Nov. 7, 2022, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew a mischief charge. Her sentencing date was set for May 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Woodstock Police also charged her 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 appeared in provincial court in custody in November for a bail hearing. She was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle, but returned to custody.
Romanian man in jail in Montreal
Dorel Istrate, 41, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on May 7 for plea on a charge laid under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The matter was adjourned until July 10 at 9:30 a.m. since the accused is currently in jail in Montreal.
Istrate, Narghitia Cioroaba, 43, and her husband Eduard-llie Scripcaru, 41, were each charged with failing to report for examination following an incident on March 8 at Union Corner.
Istrate was released from custody with conditions after a bail hearing on March 22. He posted a $2,000 bail bond before his release. Istrate has permanent resident status in Canada.
Cioroaba appeared in court in custody on April 19 and was sentenced to three months in jail, minus time served, after pleading guilty to crossing the border illegally. Scripcaru pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to three months in jail on March 26.
RCMP arrested them after receiving a call around 1 p.m. from the US Border Patrol about three individuals heading for the international border on foot near Union Corner, the spot of a former port of entry several decades ago.
Police tracked them down about 40 minutes later using a police dog. The three suspects were returned to the Canada Border Services Agency at the Woodstock- Houlton border. They told police they rented a vehicle in New York and then abandoned it near the border so they could walk the rest of the way into Canada.
In another incident, two other Romanian men, who have addresses in the United States, appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 27 and pleaded guilty to crossing the international border illegally at Belleville. They were sentenced to several months in jail on March 15.
