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US couple face court on firearms charges

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

AN American husband and wife were arraigned on unlicensed firearm and ammunition possession charges on Tuesday in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court.

Francis Peter Benoit, 65, and his wife, Sharon Turner Benoit, 62, of Hangman Close in Fortune Bay, appeared in Court One before Magistrate Debbye Ferguson. Kwasi Thompson represented the couple.

Francis Benoit pleaded guilty to the charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition with intent to supply.

He was convicted and fined $10,000 or two years imprisonment at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in New Providence.

As a result of his guilty plea, charges were dismissed against his wife.

According to reports, the couple was arrested last Thursday after police discovered a 7.62 rifle with 75 rounds of ammunition and a black and chrome Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun with 21 shotgun shells during a search of their residence.

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