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Gun & drugs trial ends with 1 fined, 2 freed

Shawn Williams was fined $2K for the firearm charge for which he was found guilty. Photo: VINO/File
Mustafa Claxton of Free Bottom; Jose Miguel Christopher of Long Look; and Shawn Williams of Purcell Estate all appeared before the court yesterday for Magistrate Dr Velon L. John’s decision and subsequent sentencing in relations with a number of offences including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, unlawful importation of a firearm and ammunition, conspiracy to import, importation and unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to supply. Photo: VINO/File
Mustafa Claxton of Free Bottom; Jose Miguel Christopher of Long Look; and Shawn Williams of Purcell Estate all appeared before the court yesterday for Magistrate Dr Velon L. John’s decision and subsequent sentencing in relations with a number of offences including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, unlawful importation of a firearm and ammunition, conspiracy to import, importation and unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to supply. Photo: VINO/File
PROSPECT REEF, Tortola, VI - Justice was served for three of the four men accused of being involved in an alleged drug and gun find following a police sting operation at West End in 2012 when their trial came to an end yesterday October 30, 2014.

Mustafa Claxton of Free Bottom; Jose Miguel Christopher of Long Look; and Shawn Williams of Purcell Estate all appeared before the court yesterday for Magistrate Dr Velon L. John’s decision and subsequent sentencing in relations with a number of offences including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, unlawful importation of a firearm and ammunition, conspiracy to import, importation and unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

They had all pleaded not guilty. There was a fourth accused, Chaim A. Todman of Johnson Ghut, who died following a boat accident last year. The quartet was allegedly found with the illegal items on April 15, 2012 during a stop and search carried out on a blue Mitsubishi motor vehicle in the West End area.

A search of the vehicle uncovered a Glock 40 handgun containing 14 rounds of ammunition and three packages containing a total 260 grams of marijuana. Christopher was allegedly found in possession of 10 grams of marijuana.

All the men were freed of the charges except in the firearm charge against Public Works Department employee Shawn Williams, 34, father of two, who was found guilty of possession of the firearm.

Magistrate Dr John told the court that based on the evidence led by the prosecution DNA results positively tied Williams to having carried or held the weapon.

During the trial it was said that the weapon was found on the flooring of the vehicle. The court had also heard of another man who had jumped out of the vehicle and escaped police custody. He was never named by any of the defendants nor was he ever found by police. At least two of the defendants had testified that the man who escaped had tossed the weapon into the vehicle as he was making his escape.

Williams was fined $2K with as suspended two years sentence. The $2K was required to be paid immediately.

Williams was represented by Attorney Richard G. Rowe. Mr Patrick Thompson was the other defense attorney in the case of the group of men.

8 Responses to “Gun & drugs trial ends with 1 fined, 2 freed”

  • weed (31/10/2014, 08:50) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    another weak police case deard
  • Yes (31/10/2014, 09:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    V...n "slap on the wrist" J..n

  • Deh Watcha (31/10/2014, 09:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    dem always locking up we locals for supidness
  • APPEAL APPEAL!! (31/10/2014, 10:01) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    ALL THESE SENTENCES MUST BE APPEALED. THIS IS APPALLING! IN A DAY AND AGE WHERE GUN VIOLENCE AND DRUG OFFENCES ARE THE HIGHEST THEY HAVE EVER BEEN IN THE VI, AND ESCALATING AT A HIGH RATE, A FINE OF $2,000 OR ANY FINE BELOW $10,000 IS JUST A SLAP IN THE FACE AND AN INSULT TO THIS COMMUNITY.
    • Lawdy! (31/10/2014, 12:28) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      This is a joke. There is no deterrent for these gun possession charges. Perpetrators will continue unabated with these paltry fines. Heaven help us. Are we serious about these crimes? Where is the teeth in the law? I know we are blaming the presiding magistrates for these but the truth is there is no teeth in the law. Nothing to send strong signals to these people. As long as they have a few dollars they will continue to violate the laws. This is sad indeed.
  • justice (31/10/2014, 11:11) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    What's going on with the prosecution in the BVI.
  • west man (31/10/2014, 11:44) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    them lock up my partner eddie for a old rusty gun wa he fine lol a gun which u can see aint working inno 15 months inno 15 months and these man get a pettie fine of 2k and thing and had up to date gun and drugs wow the B.V.I for u
  • DON Q (31/10/2014, 13:48) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    The crown loosing a lot of cases deeds days….


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