UPDATE: Almestica tried to flee from police – Court heard
The three men Edgar Carasco, 33, of Freebottom, Daryl Frett, 29, of Johnson’s Ghut and Jose Almestica, 28, a citizen of the United States of America, who the court believes is a resident of St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, were charged on August 18, 2016 with keeping a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition and having in their possession the sum of $49,940 believed to have been of a criminal nature.
They pleaded not guilty to the three charges.
RVIPF officers reportedly moved on a tip-off they received on the day in question which indicated what seemed to have been suspicious “illegal movements” in Pasea on the main island of Tortola. This is according to Crown Prosecutor Garcia Kirt Kelly as he presented the facts to the court surrounding the arrest of the three.
Almestic’s legal representative Mr Stephen R. Daniels hands were legally tied when it came to the point of filing a bail application, something he could not have done as the client pleaded guilty to entering the territory without permission from immigration and the fact that he allegedly attempted to escape from the police officer.
The escape attempt allegedly took place even before the vehicle the three were in was searched. Police subsequently found a gun, ammunition and $49,940 cash stashed under the front passenger seat of the vehicle. The money was not in any way concealed in a bag nor wrapped.
Remanded
Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards adjourned the matter until October 7, 2016 after denying Daryl Frett bail and sending him, along with Edgar Carasco and Jose Almestica, to Her Majesty’s Prison in Balsum Ghut late yesterday afternoon August 22, 2016.
Frett’s Lawyer, Mary Lou Creque, failed in her effort to secure bail for her client even though arguing that he is not a flight risk, has nothing known of him other than a traffic offense, is soon to be a new father and that he has a respectable job as an operator at a named company.
Ms Creque told the court that the trial would prove that her client was simply “Catching a ride” on the day of his arrest.
Edgar Carasco had other legal ramblings that prevented him from applying for bail yesterday. Once that other issue is dealt with, he would be allowed to apply for pre-trial liberty.
See previous article published August 22, 2016
Three arrested in Pasea Estate operation plead not guilty
- USVI man plead guilty to entering territory without authorisation from Immigration officer
The three men charged on August 19, 2016 with keeping a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition pleaded not guilty to the two charges when they appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, August 22, 2016.
Edgar Carasco, 33, of Freebottom, Daryl Frett, 29, of Johnson’s Ghut and Jose Almestica, 28, a resident of St Thomas, US Virgin Islands were held by police following an operation in Pasea Estate on August 18, 2016.
According to the Prosecution, police acting on information searched the men and a vehicle they were in when the illegal items were found.
74 rounds of 9mm ammunition and a 1.2 Glock semi-automatic pistol were allegedly found in the back seat of the vehicle while $49,900 in cash were allegedly found under one of the front seats.
The men reportedly told police they knew nothing about the money.
Meanwhile, Almestica pleaded guilty to entering the territory without presenting himself to Immigration officials.
Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards is to make a decision on their application for bail later this afternoon.
Almestica is being represented by Stephen R. Daniels, Frett by Mary Lou Creque while Carasco was unrepresented and told the Magistrate he has no intentions of getting an attorney.
More details to follow.
28 Responses to “UPDATE: Almestica tried to flee from police – Court heard”
You mean throw way the key!
hit-man pay out?!!
As a mother myself, I can't tell you how it tears me up to see Egga mother here at the court watching her son in handcuffs. Dear God, this fellow will surely be the death of his mother! And he has children too, who must be wondering how come they haven't seen their father in just about a week now.