The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 26-year-old man named in a United States indictment last month has been charged with the murder of 38-year-old Geovani Rolle, the father of two.

The defendant, identified as Donald Ferguson II, was also imprisoned after being accused in a major multi-million-dollar cocaine and marijuana bust linked to a plane crash in Acklins last December.

Prosecutors allege that he shot and killed Rolle in his car on Coral Harbour Road outside Rolle’s job at Jet Aviation on the morning of June 16, 2024.

Members of the deceased’s family were present in court and pointed out that Rolle’s name was misspelt on the docket, prompting the prosecutor to amend the document. The family had previously offered a monetary reward to anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of Rolle’s killer.

Ferguson faces multiple drug charges stemming from the alleged smuggling operation. He was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley on eight charges, including murder, possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, two counts of conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply, two counts of conspiracy to import dangerous drugs, and two counts of abetment to import dangerous drugs.

 Ferguson was the only defendant charged with murder and possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. His co-accused in the Acklins plane crash case previously appeared before Senior Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux. They include Bahamians Mickey Albert, 36, Jerry Pierre, 46, Chelsey Armaly, 54, Robert McSweeney, 46, and Demario Ferguson, 40, and Colombians Julio Alberto Casadiego, 63 and John Gomez Peña 39; all face multiple drug charges.

 Prosecutors allege that Ferguson and his accomplices conspired to import 1,982 pounds of cocaine and 50 pounds of hydroponic marijuana into The Bahamas between October 1 and December 6, 2024

 On December 6, 2024, authorities seized these drugs, packaged in 24 multi-coloured bundles, from a crashed blue-and-white plane in Acklins. Although no one was arrested at the site, all eight defendants were eventually taken into custody. Ferguson was allegedly the pilot in this incident. The seized cocaine is estimated to be worth $15.3 million, while the marijuana is valued at $50,000.

 On January 18, while acting on a murder warrant for Ferguson, police allegedly discovered seven grammes of marijuana at his residence. Ferguson pleaded not guilty to that particular drug charge and was informed he would not be required to enter pleas on the remaining charges at this time.

 Ferguson was denied bail for the murder and drug conspiracy charges, but retains the right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court. Both the murder and drug conspiracy charges will proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a Voluntary Bill of Indictment (VBI).

 Ferguson’s January 18 drug charge will proceed before the Chief Magistrate on May 7. His VBI for the murder charge is set for service on May 8. On April 17, Ferguson will be served his VBI for the drug conspiracy charge alongside his co-accused before Magistrate Turnquest-Deveaux.

 Before being taken into remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, Ferguson was permitted a moment with a large group of family members in the courtroom.

 Attorney Tonique Lewis represented the defendant, and Drug Enforcement Unit officers attended the arraignment.