Woman allegedly forced to marry man at gunpoint. Then he allegedly held her against her will at a New Hampshire Olive Garden

A woman who told police that a man forced her into marriage at gunpoint and subjected her to what she described as a satanic ritual escaped from a Newington, New Hampshire, Olive Garden and ran to responding officers, leading to the arrest of 47-year-old Daniel Ouellet, according to court documents and local authorities. Pennsylvania State Police received a report from the woman’s mother, who had tracked her daughter’s cellphone to an Olive Garden restaurant in the area.

On June 6, 2026, Newington police responded to the Olive Garden location for a welfare check. They encountered Ouellet and the woman shortly before noon, according to court records and statements cited by Boston.com and WMUR. According to an arrest affidavit viewed by several outlets, the woman ran from the restaurant in tears when police arrived.

Officers reportedly observed what appeared to be cigarette burns on her legs. She immediately requested an emergency protective order against Ouellet, authorities said.

Allegations detail a week-long ordeal

Police say the ordeal began more than a week earlier when Ouellet allegedly contacted the woman in Pennsylvania and threatened to harm her and her family if she did not travel to New England to meet him. After she arrived, Ouellet allegedly displayed a handgun and informed her that they would go to a town hall in Lee, New Hampshire, and get married.

Investigators allege Ouellet kept the woman’s phone for several days and forced her to remain with him at a campground in Lee. Authorities further allege that he directed her to drive around New Hampshire and Maine while he sat in the passenger seat with a loaded handgun. During those trips, Ouellet allegedly claimed that religious cults were following them.

The case took another turn when the woman told police that the same morning of the Olive Garden incident, Ouellet cut her hand with a box cutter in Kittery, Maine. According to court records, she said he sought blood for what she described as a satanic ritual.

Police later reported finding a copy of The Satanic Bible inside Ouellet’s vehicle. Authorities have not alleged that any recognized religious organization had involvement in the incident.

Ouellet faces at least one felony charge of using a deadly weapon to prevent someone from reporting a crime. Newington Police Chief Michael Bilodeau told Boston.com that Ouellet also faces additional charges connected to events that allegedly occurred in Lee. Authorities have indicated that the investigation remains active and additional charges could follow.

During a court appearance, Ouellet denied the allegations. WMUR reported that he told the court, “I totally believe in free will.” He denied any aggression toward the woman, as has been alleged.

As of June 11, Ouellet remained in custody on preventive detention at the Rockingham County Department of Corrections, according to court reporting. The woman obtained a protective order and escaped the situation without life-threatening injuries.

Authorities have not released her identity. Authorities have not publicly disclosed many details about the pair’s relationship before the alleged offenses. As of June 11, Olive Garden and its parent company, Darden Restaurants, had not publicly commented on the incident.