A New Hampshire man is facing charges after a bizarre roadtrip that allegedly involved forced marriage and fear of a satanic cult.

New Hampshire Man Accused of Forcing a Woman Into Marriage

Daniel Ouellet, 47, of Lee, New Hampshire, is accused of holding a woman against her will, forcing her into marriage, and injuring her during what investigators described as a satanic ritual in Maine.

READ MORE: Maine Ranked the Safest State in America

The situation came to the attention of Newington, New Hampshire Police when they were called to an Olive Garden restaurant on Saturday morning by a Pennsylvania woman who told authorities her daughter was being held against her will.

New Hampshire Police Order Residents to Shelter in Place

When the police learned the suspect had firearms, a shelter-in-place order was enacted in the area surrounding the restaurant.

New Hampshire officers encountered the woman when she ran out of the restaurant and told them she wanted to file an emergency restraining order against Oullet.

KRCG-TV reports the police allegedly saw cigarette burns on her legs.

Scary Road Trip from Maine to New Hampshire Involved an Alleged Forced Marriage

The story that followed Ouellet’s arrest is bizarre and frightening.

Police say he allegedly pointed a gun at the woman while she was driving on Friday, telling her they were being followed by a satanic cult.

The victim told the police that Oulett allegedly forced her to marry him, and then cut her hand when they were in Kittery, Maine, as part of a satanic ritual.

According to WMUR-TV, investigators found a satanic bible, a sweatshirt, and a bag inside Ouellet’s vehicle.

Ouellet denied in court the allegations against him, stating that he would never force the woman into marriage, or harm her in any way.

Prosecutors say Ouellet has a criminal history of domestic violence and driving while intoxicated.

HACKENSACK – Governor Sherrill and FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee Chief Executive Officer Alex Lasry today announced more than 750 free tickets will be made available for New Jersey communities to matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ at New York New Jersey Stadium.

The announcement was made at Hackensack University Medical Center, the Official Hometown Hospital of the NYNJ Host Committee. Governor Sherrill, U.S. Men’s National Team legend and New Jersey native Tony Meola, NYNJ Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry, Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert C. Garrett, Choose New Jersey CEO Amy Herbold, and representatives from Uber also unveiled a large-scale FIFA World Cup 2026™ mural commemorating the eight matches taking place in the New York New Jersey region, including the Final. The mural, displayed across from Hackensack University Medical Center’s Helena Theurer Pavilion, was created by Richard Tu, artist of the official New York New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host City Poster.

“We are excited to welcome the world to the Garden State for the World Cup starting this week and to be at the very center of the festivities, but we want the experience, first and foremost, to be accessible and affordable for as many New Jerseyans as possible,” said New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill. “I’d like to thank the Host Committee, Uber, and Hackensack Meridian Health for providing over 750 free tickets to New Jerseyans who deserve a once-in-a-lifetime chance to attend these matches. I will always fight to ensure that no New Jerseyan is left behind.”

“Over the past few weeks, we have worked closely with Governor Sherrill and corporate partners to secure additional tickets for the people of New Jersey,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York New Jersey Host Committee. “I’d like to thank the Governor for her leadership in ensuring that hundreds of New Jersey residents have the incredible opportunity to take part in this once-in-generation moment. And I’d like to thank Uber and Hackensack Meridian Health for stepping up to help us deliver these tickets. Working together through a public-private partnership, we are ensuring that the benefits of the World Cup flow to every corner of our region.”

“New Jersey will be at the center of the world’s biggest sporting event, and Uber is proud to partner with Governor Sherrill, the NYNJ Host Committee, and Choose New Jersey to help make sure more residents can be part of this once-in-a-generation moment,” said Adam Blinick, Heads of U.S. & Canada Public Policy and Communications at Uber. “These tickets will give families, young soccer players, service members’ loved ones, first responders, and patients the chance to experience the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026 firsthand — and we’re grateful to help open that door for communities across the Garden State.”

“Hackensack Meridian Health is proud to support Governor Sherrill, New Jersey and the NYNJ Host Committee in bringing the excitement of the World Cup to fans, including some of our patients and team members,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health.  “As the closest Level 1 trauma center to the stadium, our team members have been actively preparing to support the complex medical and safety operations for an event of this magnitude. Their expertise is the foundation of our medical readiness, and their compassion will ensure our communities and visitors are safe and cared for. We are proud to celebrate their commitment by providing them with an opportunity to enjoy the World Cup in person.”

“Our doors are open, and our teams are ready,” said Lisa Tank, M.D., President and Chief Hospital Executive of Hackensack University Medical Center. “As an ACS verified Level 1 trauma center and one of the nation’s busiest emergency departments, the teams are always response and emergency preparedness ready.  On an ongoing basis the team is running drills, and looking at staffing and available interpreter services — to ensure that every World Cup visitor receives the high level expertise focused on safety, quality and compassionate care that all are communities receive. It is a privilege to share the joy of the World Cup with our patients and team members.”

“I’d like to thank Governor Sherrill for her leadership in ensuring that the benefits of the World Cup benefit our residents,” said Amy Herbold, President and CEO, Choose New Jersey. “Choose New Jersey is honored to partner with the Governor, the NYNJ Host Committee, and Uber to help distribute 500 free tickets to community groups throughout our state. These efforts will give New Jersey fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a match and take in all the World Cup has to offer.”

Today’s announcement reflects a collaborative effort over the past few weeks between the Governor’s Office, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee, Uber, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Choose New Jersey to ensure that New Jerseyans have access to the matches – at no cost to taxpayers. The announcement follows $3.6 million in funding that the Host Committee is providing the Sherrill Administration to support transportation costs associated with the World Cup.

The 770 tickets announced today will be distributed across five Group Stage matches and two Knockout Round matches hosted at New York New Jersey Stadium, ensuring that the benefits of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ reach communities across New Jersey. The tickets were secured by the Host Committee and will be distributed to community groups via Choose New Jersey.

As New Jersey prepares to welcome the world, this initiative helps ensure that the people who serve our communities, inspire our future generations, and represent the very best of the state have the opportunity to experience the FIFA World Cup 2026™ firsthand.

Supporting New Jersey Families and Communities

Through a collaboration between the Governor’s Office, the NYNJ Host Committee, Uber, and Choose New Jersey, 500 tickets will be distributed to New Jersey residents, including:

• Residents are encouraged to turn off outdoor lights in June to help fireflies, which use their glow to attract mates.
• To create a firefly-friendly habitat, experts suggest leaving leaf litter, reducing mowing, and allowing some grass to grow tall.
• A new citizen science project, the Clarion County Firefly Blitz, is collecting data on local firefly populations.

Fireflies are starting to emerge across the state in advance of an upcoming state festival and a citizen science data project revolving around lightning bugs.

“So far it’s tracking right on the average, I think, just maybe a little bit above average,” firefly expert Peggy Butler said about her expectations for the glowing insect’s population this summer.

“We had what I would say was an early spring but then the temperatures cooled and it’s more in the average range at this time. We’re expecting peak season to be around the 21^st of June.”

Butler and her husband Ken are cofounders of the Pennsylvania Firefly Festival, which will be held June 26 and 27 at the Market Village in Tionesta.

Explore Pennsylvania: With gas prices up, here are five outdoor places to vacation in Pa.

“It should be really good viewing for that week, the 21st through July 1 as long as the temperatures stay in the normal range and it doesn’t go one way or the other too rapidly,” said Butler, who is also the festival’s treasurer.

The area does need some rain to attract the bugs.

“They like it hot and humid. As soon as it gets hot and humid, I think we’ll start seeing fireflies,” she said.

Some people call fireflies lightning bugs.

“It doesn’t matter which term you use,” she said. “Lightning bugs are fireflies. Not all fireflies are lightning bugs, but all lightning bugs are fireflies. You can use either term. It all depends on where you grew up and what your knowledge level is about them.”

There are numerous species of fireflies, and she’s already been seeing some spring tree-top flashers since Mother’s Day. “I think May 19^th was my first firefly sighting for the season, but the synchronous fireflies typically don’t start until June 10^th or 12^th and with a peak being around the summer solstice,” she said.

She recently spotted a Chinese lantern firefly and said that species overlaps with the synchronous species.

“He was a little early, but he’ll have friends popping up here any day now, especially with the temperatures warming up,” Butler said.

The evening displays can be impressive to watch as each species has its own flash pattern.

“We have over 30 species in Pennsylvania. And at any given time, you may have 12 to 15 different species in a habitat, if it’s a great habitat,” she said.

Advertisement

The common eastern firefly comes out at dusk. The species stays active for about 45 minutes before returning to the grass. Then other species emerge about an hour after dusk when it’s truly dark.

“Those are synchronous fireflies that we see in the forest,” she said.

If the weather is warm and humid, some species will glow throughout the night until dawn.

In mid-summer, the heebie-jeebie fireflies emerge.

“We call them Christmas in July. We get them in mid-to late July and they just cover the trees, and they look like a Christmas light show going on. They are not synchronous, but they seem to have this pulsating show going on,” she said.

Advertisement

More: Snake hunter explains why we need these reptiles in Pennsylvania

Why fireflies glow

The glow of a firefly is used to attract other fireflies to mate. 

Fireflies use their enzymes to create a cold light on the lower part of their body.

“Which is unique. Most of the time, when you think of light being produced by things like fire or other kinds of heat sources,” Michael Skvarla, assistant research professor of arthropod identification at Penn State University, said in a July 7, 2025, interview for this publication.

Advertisement

“Fireflies are unique because they can do it without producing heat,” Skvarla said.

That process is now associated with products we use, like glow sticks.

“The light that they produce is often species specific, the flash patterns. And so, the kind of classic one is the J-shaped pattern that people will see in their yards, that species likes to fly in open fields above short grass. So people will be familiar with that pattern, but most species have a unique flash pattern where they’re flashing,” he said, including areas with fields, trees and swamps.

The flashing patterns help the fireflies tell each other apart when searching for a mate.

Butler enjoys the unique qualities of these glowing insects and what they mean to the environment and changing seasons.

Advertisement

“It’s just another part of the season that shows that everything is in balance, everything is as it should be. So, if you have fireflies, they are an indicator species, it means everything is in balance and the habitat is free of pesticides and light pollution and that it’s natural,” she explained.

“If you don’t have fireflies, and you should in Pennsylvania, there’s reason to be concerned. Something is out of balance, whether it’s a manmade thing or some other reason. It can be a natural thing, too, like a fire, a forest fire can disrupt them. A flood can definitely disrupt them. But generally, if you don’t have fireflies, it’s something manmade or caused by human impacts.”

Lights off in June

June is the month for the conservation initiative Lights Out for Lightning Bugs, as the insects prefer dark areas.

“The easiest, quickest and most impactful thing people can do is turning off their outdoor lighting at night, specifically during June. For most fireflies, that’s their typical peak season of mating,” she said.

The flying insects prefer darker areas where they can be seen by other glowing bugs.

Advertisement

Making a home for fireflies

Lightning bugs prefer taller grassy areas that have leaf litter from the previous fall. The females lay their eggs in the ground and the larva can live there up to two years feeding off slugs and snails in the ground. “If you have a garden, it’s a good thing to have firefly larva in your garden. They need moist, shaded areas to keep their larva alive,” Butler said.

“Leave your leaves, turn off your light and let your lawns be natural. If you can, grow a little natural area in your backyard. Let it grow to full length and you’ll see more fireflies. Otherwise, reduce your mowing as much as possible and mow at a really high level, no shorter than four inches if possible, and try to reduce mowing as much as possible,” she said.

If you are concerned about ticks, she suggests having the taller grass natural area away from your home in an area where you don’t normally walk.

Firefly festival

The 14^th annual festival in Forest County is operated by a group of board members across Pennsylvania who are involved in music and science.

Advertisement

The June 26-27 event has been moved from the Kellettville Campground to the Market Village in Tionesta.

“They invited us to come and host the festival there and we decided it would be great for our exhibitors to have more exposure to the public than they were getting down here in Kellettville when we were just limiting it to the evening and just ticketed tourists,” she said.

From 12 to 6 p.m. those two days, the public is welcome to visit a variety of exhibits and entertainment. “It is all free and open to the public,” she said.

However, there will be information available in the Market Village at the festival’s tent for self-guided night-time opportunities.

“We will show them some areas in Forest County where they can go and look for fireflies on their own, either that night or at another time. They are public areas that have ample parking, are safe and not lit up,” she said. “But they will be able to see fireflies at those locations.”

Advertisement

The nighttime programs and guided firefly events at the Army Corps of Engineers’ Tionesta Lake Recreation Area are already sold out.

Community science project with fireflies

The festival organizers are expanding their educational outreach to Clarion County.

“We love that people come to Forest County, but we aren’t the only county in Pennsylvania with fireflies. But we need more data and we need more public places that can handle the tourism and won’t impact the habitats of fireflies by too many humans going there,” Butler said.

Right now, they are looking for locations and populations of fireflies in the neighboring county.

“We know they have fireflies but there isn’t a lot of good survey data on them,” she said.

Advertisement

They are looking for the public to report sightings of fireflies in the Clarion area through a new project.

“We are encouraging people to participate in the Clarion County Firefly Blitz,” she said. People who want to be community scientists for fireflies can reach out to Butler by email at pafirefirelyfestival@gmail.com or the pafireflyfestival.org webpage.

“We encourage it to be Clarion County residents or people who camp regularly in Clarion County who are not necessarily residents, but weekend and holiday campers,” she said.

It’s a pilot project that she’s open to exploring in other counties in the future.

“Our main goal is education,” Butler said about fireflies. “If I’m learning, I’m sharing it with other people that it will continue to grow, not just here but across the state or across the country.”

Advertisement

Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@usatodayco.com and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on this website’s homepage under your login name. Follow him on Facebook @whipkeyoutdoors.