The Tribune

By FARRAH JOHNSON

fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who police said was arrested after he was found shouting outside the US Embassy was fined $700 yesterday for violating the national curfew.

He was among several people who appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux for curfew and lockdown infractions.

Judson Jervis, 42, was charged after officers found him on Queen Street around 9.50am on April 27. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $700 or one month at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Prosecutor Bridgette Strapp told the court on the day in question, officers observed a man approaching the guard booth at the United States Embassy shouting “I need to speak with someone at the US Embassy”. When questioned, Jervis refused to answer the officers, but continued to shout that he needed to see someone at the embassy. He was subsequently arrested and charged.

During the hearing, Jervis told Magistrate Turnquest-Deveaux that he’d heard certain businesses were allowed to open on April 28 while listening to a radio station. He added he swore Monday was the 28th and expected the US Embassy to be open for business when he went there that day. Insisting he had made an “honest mistake,” he admitted he was wrong and said he was embarrassed to havecommitted the offence.

In response, Magistrate Turnquest-Deveaux told Jervis the country was still under a lockdown which meant that he should stay home and only come outside if he had a medical emergency or needed to perform an essential service like shopping at the food store or pharmacy.

Meanwhile, five teenagers were also charged after they were found on Poinciana Drive around 11.10am on April 27.

Taj Wemyss, 19; Dwayne White, 19; Antonice Clarke, 19, Destiny Minns, 18 and a 17-year-old female pleaded guilty to violating the national curfew and were each fined $500 or one month in prison, except for the juvenile who was given a $500 fine or one month at the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls.

Prosecutor Strapp said on the day in question, officers observed a two door Honda Accord driving on Poinciana Drive. They beckoned the vehicle to stop and questioned the driver who identified himself as Taj Wemyss. He told officers that he was on the road because he was giving his friends a ride home. Sgt Strapp said the officer then checked the vehicle and found four more occupants who told them they were coming from the Colony Club Hotel. As a result, all of the defendants were arrested and taken to the Central Detective Unit (CDU) where they admitted the offence and were charged.

During the hearing, Magistrate Tunrquest-Deveauz told the defendants they needed to take the time out to watch the news so that they could understand the importance of following the COVID-19 emergency orders. She also told the juvenile’s mother that she was surprised she wasn’t charged as well since her 17-year-old was her responsibility and was supposed to be at home.

In another matter, Tenier Dean, 26, and Deon Capron, 40, were charged after officers found them on Alexandria Boulevard around 9.55pm on April 22. They pleaded guilty to the charge and were each fined $500 or one month in prison.

When given an opportunity to speak, Dean told Magistrate Turnquest-Deveaux that his car had broken down and he was trying his best to get off the road. He explained that Capron had driven by and offered to give him a ride.

Sony Pierre also known as Omar Farrington, 36, and Rashad Moss, 29, were also charged after officers found them on Pinewood Drive around 9.15pm on April 24. Both men pleaded guilty and were each fined $500 or one month in prison.

Pierre was also charged for deceiving a public officer after he gave Police Constable 4207 Williamson a false name at the time of his arrest. He pleaded guilty to that charge as well and was fined $150 or one month at the BDCS.

Michael Pearce, 40, was charged after officers found him on Windsor Place Road around 10.15am on April 26. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $500 or one month in prison. According to Sgt Strapp, at the time of his arrest, Pearce had told the officers he had left his house to go and check on his girlfriend.