50 months in prison for string of crimes
Austin Barrett-Soucy, 26, of Keswick Ridge, was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court in custody in Fredericton on Jan. 21. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to a series of incidents in Woodstock, Fredericton, and Minto.
Barrett-Soucy will serve 44 months in jail once his remand credit is applied. He was charged by the RCMP with break and enter and theft at a Department of Transportation garage in Coldstream on Oct. 3, 2025, and with breaking into the Valley Chainsaw Shop in Jacksonville on Sept. 16, 2025. Several chainsaws were stolen from the premises. The theft was captured on video surveillance.
Woodstock Police charged him with two counts of mischief, causing property damage to two vehicles, theft of tools, break and enter, and theft of an ATV on Oct. 2, 2025, on Houlton Road in Woodstock. Barrett-Soucy drove the stolen ATV through the front entrance of Larsen’s Electric, causing major damage to the building. The ATV was found abandoned a few days later.
Fredericton Police charged Barrett-Soucy with breaking into the Habitat for Humanity Restore on St. Mary’s Street on the city’s north side on Oct. 4, 2025, when he left with stolen items through a hole in the fence and then drove off in a stolen truck.
On Oct. 5, 2025, Barrett-Soucy was spotted by the RCMP driving the stolen vehicle in Minto and led police on a high-speed chase. A spike belt was deployed, and he eventually pulled over and fled on foot into the woods. He was arrested on Oct. 8, 20255, in Dumfries, where he broke into a camper and was apprehended with the assistance of a police dog. He was denied bail and remanded.
Johnville man handed 34 months
Cole Paul Smith, 30, of Johnville, was sentenced to 34 months in prison, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 23. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges laid by the RCMP and Woodstock Police.
Smith will serve two years in jail once his remand time is applied. He was in custody since his arrest in June 2025 and had a lengthy prior criminal record.
In addition to jail time, Judge Rose Campbell ordered Smith to register with the federal DNA database. He was also prohibited from using firearms for 10 years. The judge noted there was violence involved in some of his offences against his former partner, another family member, and a social worker. He must not have any contact with any of the victims.
Defence Counsel Annie Maltais told the court that Smith struggled with drug addiction and planned to seek counselling and treatment while in prison. She said he also wanted to upgrade his education to become a welder. The accused apologized to the court for his actions.
Smith pleaded guilty to breaching of a release order by violating electronic monitoring on June 24, 2025, at Mapledale; guilty to flight from police, breaching his house arrest and dangerous driving on June 29, 2025, at East Brighton; guilty to assault with a weapon (a metal stool) on Oct. 22, 2024, in Johnville, guilty to assault by choking and uttering threats on Jan. 15, 2025, in Bath; guilty to assaulting a female victim between Nov. 15-30, 2024, in Johnville; guilty to two counts of uttering threats between April 10-11, 2025, in Woodstock; and guilty to breach of a release order (no contact) on May 29, 2025, in Woodstock. Three other charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
Held for bail hearing
Jason Tribe, 41, of Knoxford, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Jan. 22 to answer three charges laid by the RCMP. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Jan. 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Tribe was charged with criminal harassment, uttering threats, and breach of a no-contact order on Jan. 13 at Knoxford. The court heard he will be sentenced on other charges in Fredericton on Jan. 30.
Sentencing decision in February
Nicholas Paul, 47, and his wife, Jennifer Louise Paul, 45, both of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Jan. 22 for sentencing after changing their pleas to guilty to multiple charges laid by the RCMP.
After hearing submissions from both the Crown and defence counsel, Judge Rose Campbell reserved her decision on sentencing until Feb. 6 at 9:30 a.m.
They both pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking for an incident on Oct. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk. Another charge of trafficking in cocaine was withdrawn by the Crown. The charges were laid following the execution of a search warrant at their residence at Neqotkuk.
Federal Crown Prosecutor Derek Weaver recommended the couple receive 20 months of house arrest, one year of probation, a firearm prohibition, and an order to register with the federal DNA database. He noted they had 176 ice pills in their possession and four grams of crystal meth, describing them as “low-level, street traffickers.”
In addition, Jennifer Paul pleaded guilty to being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm (a sawed-off shotgun) for an incident on Sept. 25, 2024, at Neqotkuk. Another firearm charge was withdrawn.
She also pleaded guilty to breach of a release order (no weapons), possession of stolen property (a licence plate), possession of currency obtained by crime, and unauthorized possession of a restricted weapon (a collapsible baton) for the incident on Oct. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk. Several other charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
Nicholas Paul pleaded guilty to driving while prohibited on Sept. 22, 2024, at Neqotkuk; breach of a release order (no drugs), possession of ammunition while prohibited, possession of a stolen licence plate, and possession of currency obtained by crime on Oct. 23, 2024, at Neqotkuk.
Crown Prosecutor Sean Corscadden suggested they receive time served and a concurrent, six-month conditional sentence for the provincial charges, noting both accused spent several months in remand.
The court heard the couple fell on hard times and got into trouble with drugs, but entered rehab after their release from custody. They are now living in Fredericton and continuing with their recovery. They both apologized to the court for their actions.
Arrested on eight charges
Brandon Francis, 30, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court via teleconference on Jan. 22 after being arrested by the RCMP. He returns to court in custody via video for a bail hearing on eight charges on Jan. 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Francis was charged with breaking into a dwelling house, possession of a weapon (a knife) for the purpose of committing an offence, indictable assault, uttering threats, breach of probation, and mischief causing property damage on Jan. 10 at Perth-Andover. He was also charged with resisting arrest and breach of probation on Jan. 20 at Perth-Andover.
Trial on sex charges
Joseph Michael Sercerchi, 74, of Bayfield, Ontario, will appear for his trial at the Court of King’s Bench on March 10-13 and March 16 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three sex charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Sercerchi was charged with three counts of indictable assault involving a female minor in connection with incidents alleged to have occurred between Jan. 1, 1991, and Dec. 31, 1998, in Woodstock. He was committed to stand trial after a preliminary hearing in October 2024.
Remanded for trial date
Christopher Thomas O’Keefe, 27, of Fielding, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Jan. 22 after being arrested on a warrant for failing attend his trial in December.
O’Keefe was charged by the RCMP with sexual assault in connection with an incident on Feb. 26, 2023, at Upper Brighton, and failing to report his whereabouts to the national sex offender registry on Jan. 9 in Woodstock.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges, and a new trial date was set for April 17 and May 11 at 9:30 a.m. O’Keefe also requested a bail hearing, which was booked for Jan. 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Denied bail and remanded
Brycen Trae Stewart, 28, of Lakeville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 22 after being arrested for breaching his release order. He was denied bail and returns to court in custody for plea on Jan. 27 at 9:30 a.m.
Stewart was charged by Woodstock Police stemming from an incident on Dec. 4, 2025, in Woodstock. He will also enter a plea on another breach charge when he returns to court on Jan. 27.
Stewart appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Dec. 8, 2025, to answer a charge of breaching his release order on Dec. 7, 2025, at Wilmot. He was released with conditions at that time.
He is also awaiting trial on March 12-13 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP.
Stewart was charged by Woodstock Police with dangerous driving, flight from police and breaching his curfew on Dec. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. He was also charged with breaching a no-contact order on Jan. 13, 2025, in Woodstock.
Stewart was also charged with two counts of breaching his release order (curfew) concerning incidents on Sept. 24 and Oct. 8, 2024, in Woodstock. He was charged with breaking into a dwelling house on May 25, 2024, in Killoween and possession of a stolen vehicle on Aug. 4, 2023, in Lakeville.
Charged with impaired
Mark Dean Polchies, 43, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 10 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on four charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Polchies was charged with impaired driving, refusing a breathalyzer, resisting arrest and mischief, causing property damage to a police cell, stemming from an incident on Oct. 26, 2025, at Beardsley Road. He made his first court appearance on Jan. 20 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Returning for plea
Jesse Andre, 38, of East Brighton, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 10 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on five charges laid by the RCMP.
Andre was charged with aggravated assault, assault causing bodily harm, mischief, dangerous driving and one violation under the Motor Vehicle Act following an incident on Dec. 2, 2025, at East Brighton. He made his first court appearance on Jan. 20 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Break-in on Searle Street
Two men remain in custody on charges related to a break-in on Searle Street in Woodstock on Nov. 24, 2025.
Bastian Kitchener Bradbury of Fredericton and Michael Ronald McKee of Woodstock were each charged with breaking into a woodworking shop, possession of stolen tools, possession of a stolen vehicle (a Mazda CX5), possession of break-in tools, and prowling at night. Bradbury also faces a charge of wearing a mask while committing an offence.
Bradbury and McKee both waived their bail until later and will return to court in custody for plea on Jan. 29 at 9:30 a.m. The court heard they are also in custody on other charges in Fredericton.
Charge withdrawn
Chelsea Sacobie, 32, of no fixed address, appeared for trial in provincial court on Jan. 22 after pleading not guilty to an assault charge. The Crown withdrew the charge, and the trial was cancelled.
Sacobie was charged by the RCMP with assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a male victim following an incident on Oct. 10, 2024, at Perth-Andover.
Guilty of impaired driving
Michael Feaver, 44, of Gordonsville, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Jan. 23 after pleading guilty to an impaired driving charge.
Feaver was charged by the RCMP following an incident on May 31, 2025, in Fielding. His sentencing was adjourned until Jan. 29 at 1 p.m.
Sentencing on two charges
Brian Keith Reynolds, 45, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court on Jan. 23 and changed his plea to guilty on two charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing date was set for April 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Reynolds pleaded guilty to one count of resisting arrest and one breach charge. He still has a trial on Jan. 30 at 1:30 p.m. on several other outstanding charges.
Reynolds was charged with two counts of resisting arrest on Nov. 1, 2023, and Nov. 27, 2023, at Wotstak; and two counts of breaching a release order for incidents on Dec. 10, 2024, and between Nov. 11 and Nov. 23, 20204, at Wotstak.
His trial will deal with other charges of uttering threats against a female victim, breach of probation, and driving while suspended on Oct. 8, 2023, in Bloomfield; and two charges of assault and assault with a weapon on Aug. 4, 2024, at Wotstak.
Released from custody
Brittany Priscilla King, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Jan. 23 after being arrested for failing to attend her trial. She was released with conditions and returns to court on Feb. 5 at 1:30 p.m. to set a new trial date.
King was charged by Woodstock Police with assault with a weapon (a knife) and assault causing bodily harm to a male victim, concerning an incident on Nov. 5, 2023, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty.
