The three men explained to the court that they had no intentions of docking in Tortola, but they were running low on fuel so they did. They are to appear at the Magistrate’s Court for sentencing on August 2, 2012. Photo: VINO/ File

According to the sentencing requirements of the Court that was handed down by Magistrate Tamia Richards, Mr. King, who pleaded guilty to all 11 charges brought against him on July 23, 2012, received 4 months for possession of explosives; 4 months for possession of explosives 19 9mm rounds luger ammunition; 4 months for possession of explosives 5 round point 30 ammunition; 8 months for landing in the Territory without permission of an immigration officer; 24 months for keeping unlicensed firearm Smith and Wesson 357 magnum; 24 months for keeping unlicensed firearm Glock 26; 30 months illegal importation of firearm Glock 26; 30 months for illegal importation of firearm Smith and Wesson 357 Magnum; pay $1300 or serve 4 months for importation of explosives 5 rounds point 38 caliber ammunition; pay $1300 or serve 4 months for importation of explosives 19 9mm round luger ammunition; and pay $1300 or serve 4 months for importation of explosives 11 rounds 9mm luger ammunition.

Two separate charges were also brought against him by the Commissioner of Police, he was ordered to pay $6000 or 6 months in prison each, for unlawful importation of goods at a place other than a Customs port and cause of vessel to arrive at a place other than a Customs port.

Sentences are to run concurrently and from the date Mr. King was first remanded.

Mr. Belle and Mr. Inniss were sentenced to serve 8 months in prison for their guilty pleas for Landing in the Territory without permission of an Immigration Officer.

The other 10 charges were dropped against both men in a previous court hearing, due to insufficient evidence brought against them.

Prior to their sentencing, information presented to the court by Crown Counsel Representative Christlyn Benjamin, stated that a notice of seizure was given to Mr. King from the Customs Department, for the seizure of the vessel that brought the men to Tortola, namely, Frenchman’s Cay.

The defendant is to return to Court on September 17, 2012 with the boat owner for report.

It is alleged that on July 18, 2012, local officers in plain clothes observed the three males in the vicinity of Frenchman’s Cay where they docked and asked for identification from the strangers.

Report given to the Court further stated that, Mr. King, who was the captain of the boat as indicated by the Crown, told the officers that he and his crew were sailing, when the boat ran out of fuel. Allegedly, Mr. King also told the officers that Mr. Inniss knew someone on the island, who can help them to get fuel, which resulted in his reason for docking.

The Crown informed the Court that when asked by the Police who the guns belong to, Mr. King allegedly said that he had no idea.

In mitigation to the facts given to the Court prior to sentencing, Mr. King informed Magistrate Richards that they had no intentions of coming to the “BVI”. He told the Court that his reason for stopping is because the boat ran out of fuel.

The 33-year old man furthered stated that the only reason he pleaded guilty was to get “this over with” and he doesn’t want any trouble. He also told the Court that he has no idea how the weapons and explosives got on the boat.