‘Tricky’ con gets prison term

Aaron Francisco Joseph told the court a “true con man story” about why he committed fraud involving a $83 000 bad cheque. His crimes and the “elaborate” story earned him nine years in prison.

Joseph was charged with forging a bill of exchange and getting money using a forged instrument on January 8, 2018.

The cheque for $83,000 was first presented to First Caribbean International Bank before investigations discovered it was fraudulent.

For the offences under Section 10 and 23 of the Forgery Act along with the 16 additional matters, Joseph will spend nine years in jail. The starting sentence was 14 years and a third discount was credited for his guilty plea.

Joseph, 27 of Baycroft Road, Carrington Village, St Michael was the subject of a pre-sentencing report which highlighted his mother’s frustration with his continuous criminal behavior. From his school days Joseph stole from his relatives including his father and mother and was said to have a “love of quick money without working for it”, according to the report. His drug use since age seven, bad company, failure to respond to counselling, broken promises to change after repeat prison sentences were also outlined in the report.

A community member further described Joseph as tricky, dishonest, a threat to their community and one who was embedded in criminal activity including thefts and burglaries in the community.

He lived on the streets after being expelled from his home at 17 because of his behavior.

Joseph had a troubled school life and his employment never lasted because of his “delinquency, bad attendance records and drug use on site”.

The 27-year-old has approximately 29 previous convictions from 2011 to 2018, 19 for burglary, six for fraud, some for theft, loitering and cannabis possession. His sentencings, range from probation to imprisonment.

“There are an additional 16 counts of various frauds committed through 2018 to 2019, committed against a plethora of businesses, including banks, gas stations , stores, credit unions, restaurants, for hundreds of dollars through thousands and tens of thousands he has requested and assented to  be taken into account,” the Judge also noted.

In Joseph’s statement to police, he recalled standing at the bus stop when a man called “Bates”, who claimed to be his former jailmate, approached and offered him a ride. The two started to talk and Joseph told “Bates” about a car he crashed that wasn’t his. The man offered to help Joseph and they exchanged numbers. Some days later, he got a call and the person asked Joseph about meeting up. He agreed and again met “Bates”, got into a car with him and another man who was in the passenger seat.

The three made their way to a bar and the passenger bought a coke and some biscuits for Joseph. Joseph said he remembered driving in the direction of Nelson Street but could not recall anything after that, including how he got home.

Joseph woke up to some disturbing phone messages including one that said “You like my partner” and “You get wild last night”. He then saw a picture of himself with his clothes off and someone giving him oral sex.

Shocked, Joseph said he got another call telling him not to worry, just follow instructions. The jailmate told him that he will make sure he [Joseph] gets the money to pay the person for the damaged car and no one would see the pictures.

After some time, Joseph got another call and “Bates” organised a meeting place. At that meeting, Joseph was given an envelope and told to go and start a bank account. The bank asked for a proof of address in order to start the bank account, so Joseph reported back to “Bates”.

Another envelope was given to Joseph on another occasion. This time a different man told Joseph what to do with the cheque on the inside. Joseph hesitated but was threatened with the pictures. He opened the envelope to discover the cheque and an identification card with his picture but in an incorrect name. Inside the envelope was also a $20 bill.

Joseph went to cash the cheque and said he got afraid and left after being taken to another part of the bank.

He got another call inviting him to meet up but this time a girl met him and said ‘This is what to do, the man gine bring another cheque for you to go some other place’.