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Prisoner accuses RVIPF of denying him bath; phone call & medication

-Puerto Rican Alexis Perez claims he hasn’t showered or brushed teeth in 6 days
Addressing the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, Puerto Rico national Alexis Perez, who is charged with failing to declare monies to Her Majesty’s Customs, said he has not been allowed to shower, change his clothes, make a phone call to his family or brush his teeth in six days. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is in the proverbial hot seat for alleged ill-treatment of a prisoner.

Addressing the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, Puerto Rico national Alexis Perez, who is charged with failing to declare monies to Her Majesty’s Customs, said he has not been allowed to shower, change his clothes, make a phone call to his family or brush his teeth in six days.

He laid the allegations while speaking through an interpreter.

The livestock farmer, who is also the father of an eight-year-old, repeatedly asked the court to speak to his family who had no idea what happened to him.

Health issues revealed 

To make matters worse, Perez said he was suffering from diabetes and hypertension, and despite going to the hospital for a heart problem, he was given a prescription but have not received the crucial medication for his illness.

After listening to the serious allegations against the RVIPF, Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards said the state could be sued if what Mr Alexis is saying is true.

She then asked the Senior Prosecutor Miss Tamara Foster to respond on behalf of the RVIPF.

Miss Foster said after speaking to a high ranking police officer, who was present in court, she could not say whether the allegations are just allegations or factual.

She said the persons who would be best suited to respond would be those in charge of prisoners, but they were not present before the court.

RVIPF slammed for allegations 

Nonetheless, the officer informed that the defendant’s clothing was at the Road Town Police Station, and the officer admitted to being told by the defendant that he was suffering from the illnesses. That information, Miss Foster said, was relayed to the relevant custodial officer for implementation.

The defendant was then remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison until his matter is recalled next week Thursday and Magistrate Richards said; he could rest with ease because these types of stories are not heard of at the prison.

She told the defendant she is hopeful his needs will be addressed and slammed the RVIPF for the allegations being levelled against them.

 

14 Responses to “Prisoner accuses RVIPF of denying him bath; phone call & medication”

  • ann (11/03/2020, 18:30) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is wrong
  • Hmm (11/03/2020, 18:39) Like (7) Dislike (24) Reply
    Should have avoided what it is that caused you to be in there and that won’t have been an issue! Jail time is available!!
    • dumb (11/03/2020, 19:21) Like (19) Dislike (5) Reply
      Be careful your ignorant a** don’t end up in there and is treated the same way. You empathetic fool.
  • Really (11/03/2020, 20:40) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    This poor guy had a couple of grand on him...Not millions like a drug trafficker.

    once the cops have time to take his money and go through his personal possessions i am sure he will get to change his clothes and call home.

    Why don't you go spend your time chasing real crooks, not some guy that ASKED for assistance filling out the customs form then gets busted when he is not told about the need to advise if he had more than 10 grand on him.
    He was also able to give a very good reason why he was carrying this money.


  • slam (11/03/2020, 21:21) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    If they deserve to be slam so be it. Time we pull in our belts if they are to slack.
    • Law suit. (11/03/2020, 22:58) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
      I see a law suit coming. The police would be wise to set the man free send him back to PR and save themselves the embarrassment in court and the government millions. The police will lose a law suit if these allegations are facts. I do believe them to be true
  • Look Out (11/03/2020, 21:39) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes he is wrong for what he did,but if what is saying and for some reason he dies,his family would get more than what he didn’t declare.You ever hear saying.The candle does cost more than Funeral.
  • Nothing new (11/03/2020, 22:19) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is not the first time the officers at the Road Town Police Station have denied detainees access to clothing that has been provided to facilitate a change of clothes and other personal hygiene products provided by the family. If persons are going to be detained for more than 24 or 48 hours, in my opinion they should be allowed to shower and/or brush their teeth at least. Sometimes detainees aren’t even made aware of the fact that their family dropped off a bag containing a change of clothes and other personal hygiene articles until bail is granted or they have to appear before the court. His experience seems to be a common practice.
  • Old out dated Law. (11/03/2020, 22:54) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    This is an old out dated nonsense law. Ten Gran that's waaay to little. That's a small amount to travel with. The law need updating to make 25 Gran... Set the people free. Nonsense...
  • paul (11/03/2020, 23:39) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    I believe him.Just look how the officer looking at the prisoner.hmmm
  • Trini T (12/03/2020, 02:28) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is inhumane .
  • standpoint (12/03/2020, 02:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    7.2 mill/40 mill
    • Jane (12/03/2020, 16:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Standpoint: 100% agree with you. Why are the police focusing their limited resources on smalltime stuff like this, just deport the guy. But the Big Criminals, those that stole and steal from the public's purse walk around freely. PC Plod can't or won't catch them, they're too smart. Chief of Police is absolutely useless. He proudly admits, all criminals are stupid but hasnt figured out that the only criminals he ever meets are the stupid ones....the smart ones are too smart for him.
  • KZ (12/03/2020, 17:26) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    I been 2 d police cell dem and it has bathroom in it. He 2 bloody lie. He look nasty, like he nah wanna bathe


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