Browne to pay $35 000 for ammo and firearm police found at his home in 2017

A St Michael man who was trying to conceal a loaded gun under a wardrobe when police executed a search warrant at his home more than five years ago has been ordered to pay $35 000 in fines by September.

Madam Justice Pamela Beckles imposed the sentence on Jamar Carlieous Browne of Arthur’s Land, Tweedside Road, St Michael, on Tuesday, in the No. 5 Supreme Court.

Taking into consideration the facts of Browne’s case, the High Court judge said that “bearing in mind the fact that other offenders in similar circumstances have received fines and, therefore, recognising the need to maintain uniformity and consistency in sentencing, I do not consider that the appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody”.

Justice Beckles then imposed a $20 000 fine on the young man who pleaded guilty to having the illegal firearm – a 9 mm Glock semi-automatic pistol – on November 9, 2017. He was 22 years old at the time.

Of that amount, he had to pay $8 000 immediately. Another $2 000 must be paid by March 10, and the remaining $10 000 in three months. He faces the alternative of three years at Dodds if the money is not paid.

Browne also had 23 rounds of .40 full metal jacket ammunition in his possession on the same date. For that, the judge imposed a $15 000 fine which must be paid in six months or Browne will face the alternative of 12 months in jail.

The alternative prison sentence was derived from a starting sentence of eight years for the firearm and five years for the ammunition.

According to the facts of the case, police went to Browne’s residence on November 9, 2017, to execute a search warrant. 

On arrival, lawmen took up different positions, with one of them knocking on the front door several times. As that officer was doing so, he heard one of his colleagues shout, “Police, don’t move, don’t move! Drop de gun, drop de gun, get back on the bed.” 

The cop at the door entered the house with other officers and moved in the direction of their colleague’s voice. They entered Browne’s room and observed him lying at the foot of the bed with his hand extended on the floor and underneath a wardrobe. A policeman held on to him while another pointed to the wardrobe and stated “he put de gun underneath there”.

Browne was then placed in handcuffs. Using a flashlight, police looked under the piece of furniture and retrieved a firearm which contained a magazine. There was an additional magazine next to the gun on the floor. When asked what he could say about the weapon, Browne replied: “Yeah, that is mine . . . . Dem things in my bedroom and I take full responsibility.”

He also confirmed that he resided at the house with his mother and younger brother but maintained that the firearm was his.

Handing down the sentence, Justice Beckles pointed out that there was no indication of what, if any, use was made of the firearm and there was also no evidence linking it to any criminal activity.

“Only you, Jamar Browne, know with what intention you possessed the firearm and ammunition. But what I do know is that you had this loaded firearm with an extra magazine in a house occupied by your mother and younger brother. I shudder to think what could have happened if this loaded firearm had found itself in the hands of your younger brother. But, thankfully, that did not happen and this firearm and ammunition are off the street,” the judge stated.

She said the aggravating facts of the offence were that the gun was unlicensed, loaded and found in a residence occupied by other persons, including a younger sibling, who could have access to it, and that Browne attempted to conceal the gun from the police while being apprehended.

In his favour, Justice Beckles pointed out, was the fact that Browne did not waste the court’s time, entered an early guilty plea, accepted responsibility for his actions, and expressed remorse, among other factors.