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UPDATE: Keon Leonard & Kai DeCastro on $2k fine plus

October 30th, 2014 | Tags: Kai de Castro Kion Leonard Pasea gun chase
Kai de Castro (left), 26, of Sea Cows Bay and Keon Leonard, 24, of Botanic Station, a high school teacher and a graphic artist, were charged with possession of an illegal weapon and explosives (ammunition). Photo: VINO/File
PROSPECT REEF, Tortola, VI – At the Magistrate’s Court at Prospect Reef today October 30, 2014, Keon Leonard and Kai DeCastro were found guilty for the offense of carrying an unlicensed firearm among other offenses.

They were both fined $2k each payable immediately and a suspended sentence of two years imprisonment for the firearm offense.

They both were also found guilty for the offense of illegal possession of explosives and in sentencing they were cautioned, reprimanded and discharged. This was the same for the traffic offense for which they were charged in relation to the case.

See previous story published on April 25, 2014:

Men in Pasea gun find for May decision

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Magistrate Dr Velon L. John is expected to hand down his ruling next month in the matter involving two men accused of being found in possession of a gun stemming from an incident in June 2013.

The two men, Kai de Castro, 26, of Sea Cows Bay and Kion Leonard, 24, of Botanic Station, a high school teacher and a graphic artist, were charged with possession of an illegal weapon and explosives (ammunition).

The weapon was identified as a Glock .45 calibre semi-automatic handgun, with nine rounds of ammunition and was presented in court during trial as evidence.

Both men pleaded not guilty after being jointly charged with possession of explosives (9 rounds of .45 calibre ammunition) and carrying a firearm without a licence (Glock 45 semi-automatic pistol) at Pasea.

Leonard further pleaded not guilty to throwing an object out of a motor vehicle while de Castro pleaded guilty to driving contrary to the directional flow of traffic. He offered a not guilty plea to the charge of failing to stop at the sound of a siren. de Castro is represented by attorney at law, Richard Rowe, while Patrick Thompson appeared for Leonard.

The trial ended yesterday, April 24, 2014 when the men chose not to take the witness stand in their defence. Closing submissions in the matter are expected to be sent to the Magistrate next week with a decision expected on May 9, 2014.

26 Responses to “UPDATE: Keon Leonard & Kai DeCastro on $2k fine plus”

  • DON Q (25/04/2014, 08:39) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    well saw look how deeds good yutes messing up dem self eh!
  • On looker (25/04/2014, 11:42) Like (6) Dislike (38) Reply
    stop the negative comments and pray for these youths! strupes.......
    • rock (26/04/2014, 07:02) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am SO tired of seeing the same list of "atheistic" persecutors touted by theocrats over and over again.
    • SMDH!! (31/10/2014, 22:42) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Ridiculous! How are we to get the crime problem under control when the judge gives major offences a slap on the wrist and sends them on their way. Nonsense! Two grand is nothing to these guys. They'll pay the fine and it will be business as usual. Strupps!!

      We need more judges like Redhead who are willing to make tough decisions.
  • cat (25/04/2014, 12:53) Like (2) Dislike (12) Reply
    they are NDP they will be OK
  • open wide (25/04/2014, 15:57) Like (2) Dislike (13) Reply
    THIS IS A NOW WIN FOR BOTH MEN
  • . (25/04/2014, 16:25) Like (5) Dislike (13) Reply
    hold your head up Kai. Everything will be ok
  • TOWN (30/10/2014, 15:18) Like (9) Dislike (11) Reply
    BIG LAST NAME
  • Fender Strato (30/10/2014, 15:23) Like (69) Dislike (4) Reply
    How come the other fellow whom had an old rusty firearm FOUND in his abode is sentenced to incarceration; yet these two "born here" are given a slap on the wrist with no custodial sentence? If I were the other chap sentenced yesterday I would appeal immediately!!! These two CLOWNS had a more modern, reliable and more damaging (more rounds) tool and it was ON THEIR PERSON within the PUBLIC DOMAIN (as opposed to being found in a residence) and get a meagre fine ($2k) and suspended sentence? WTF?!?!?!?!?!? The scales of justice are seriously imbalanced in this place.
    • TOWN (30/10/2014, 16:07) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
      the system is so one sided bad bad its sad that this is goin on
    • Observer (30/10/2014, 19:19) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
      I agree with you ,this is not justice its seem like in the BVI is who you is and who you for .I am a born here what's good for Peter should be good for Paul. Justice must be balance in this place .
    • Bill (30/10/2014, 21:04) Like (1) Dislike (10) Reply
      That is exactly why they had lawyers. The one who got sentenced had no help eith his defense. Stay out of trouble if you cannot afford a lawyer
    • sttrupes (31/10/2014, 09:52) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      I am from here and it is WRONG what they did to the gentleman with the rusty firearm. It is INJUSTICE that needs to be looked into and corrected.
  • justice (30/10/2014, 15:34) Like (6) Dislike (27) Reply
    This is a just decision by the judge. Hope that they walk uprightly.
  • Unfair! (30/10/2014, 15:52) Like (38) Dislike (0) Reply
    A man beg not to be sent to jail for a gun charge got 15 months. Look at injustice in Tortola.
  • Len (30/10/2014, 15:53) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ Fender i totally agree with what you are saying. On one hand the justice system is saying that they want to send a strong message for possession of illegal guns and here they are doing just the opposite!


  • Rusty Trophy (30/10/2014, 16:30) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Colaire of get the same fine like those two. Guess last name run the town.
  • Only in the BVI (30/10/2014, 16:58) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The system is a joke & that's no lie.......crime pays as long as you live in the BVI
  • Music (30/10/2014, 17:15) Like (0) Dislike (9) Reply
    Seems a ridiculously small fine but if they have been in jail awaiting this sentence they have served some time.y
  • Madame (30/10/2014, 17:30) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Colier you need to appeal your sentence
  • may (30/10/2014, 21:06) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    The one yesterday had the wrong magistrate it seems.
  • qc (31/10/2014, 08:32) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    They are NDP so they got away
  • lil fella (31/10/2014, 08:35) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    It's cool that they got off but if it was me I doubt I would get the same treatment, justice here seems subjective
  • Don't Blink (01/11/2014, 04:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lets see what happens with the next "big name" trial with the folks down West End.
  • BVIslander (01/11/2014, 19:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    These men were given a second chance in life and I hope they keep on the right side of the law. Moving forward, I pray both of them become good role models for others. This was a foolish era in judgment and I commend the judge for seeing this. Our prison is too full of young black men, it is time to educate and rehabilitate. When you have been given the opportunity to learn, teach! Help your fellowmen, do not condemn, build – it takes a village.


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