Violet ‘Letty’ Hodge briefly hospitalised; Back @ HMP
She was examined and now has returned to Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) at Balsam Ghut on the main island of Tortola late last night.
The horse owner was sentenced on September 12, 2016 to six years in prison and fined $100,000 by controversial Magistrate Ayanna O. Baptiste DaBreo of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
According to Magistrate DeBreo, the $100,000 fine is to be paid within two months or the former President of the BVI Horse Owners' Association, Mrs Hodge, will spend an additional six months at HMP.
No Justice, no peace?
Last year, the businesswoman was found NOT guilty of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition, and NOT guilty of money laundering.
However, she was charged with conspiracy to import cocaine, after persons in the United States penitentiary, who it was said was trying to ‘save themselves”, testified against her.
Mrs Hodge, who was this year named the Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival parade marshal but subsequently pulled out for personal reasons, continues to maintain her innocence and has been consistent in denying the allegations.
Following her six year sentence, many in the community believe it was too harsh in light that Mrs Hodge is reported to not to be in good health. Others believe she was just used as a scapegoat for others they could not get.
Praised for her contribution to VI
Many in both the VI and USVI have praised Mrs Hodge for her outstanding contributions to sports and culture over the years by keeping horse racing in the Greater Virgin Islands alive, both as a horse owner and the President of the organisation.
For many years, Mrs Hodge had one of the biggest troupes in the annual Tortola August Monday Parade and had sponsored many social and sporting activities.
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