Silver Hill man fined for unlicensed firearm , ammunition

A 19-year-old man from Silver Hill, Christ Church, has been fined $35 000 after admitting to having an unlicensed gun and ammunition, as a judge warned him to stay away from “the blocks” and choose his company more carefully.

Zarico Johnathan Ramsey was ordered to pay the fines after confessing to charges related to the unlawful possession of a 9mm Luger calibre semi-automatic pistol and 19 rounds of ammunition.

“It is totally against the culture and social norms of this country for persons to have and use unlicensed firearms indiscriminately or at all… The unlawful possession and use of firearms is a grave source of danger to society,” Justice Anthony Blackman told Ramsey during sentencing in Supreme Court No. 3.

The court heard that on September 3, 2023, police on mobile patrol in Ramsey’s neighbourhood came upon a car parked on the wrong side of the road. When they stopped the vehicle, officers detected the scent of marijuana and requested a search. Ramsey, who was in the backseat, began fidgeting, arousing their suspicions. The firearm and ammunition were found during the search, and Ramsey was arrested and charged.

Highlighting the seriousness of the offence, the readiness of the weapon to fire, the number of rounds, and the fact that Ramsey was in public with a dangerous weapon, the judge began from a ten-year starting point. However, he found mitigating factors in the recovery of the weapon, the absence of evidence it had been used in crime, and Ramsey’s remorse.

Justice Blackman deducted two years for the defendant’s guilty plea, youth at the time of the offence, and low to moderate risk of reoffending. Ramsey also received credit for time spent on remand and the early guilty plea.

He was fined $20 000 for the firearm — half payable within one month and the remainder within three months — and $15 000 for the ammunition, payable within six months. Failure to pay will result in 1 058 days at Dodds Prison.

The judge said: “I am encouraging you, Mr Ramsey, to acquire some vocational skills which will make you marketable in terms of obtaining regular employment. There is no reason why a man of your age should be involved in a matter of this magnitude… You need to keep away from the blocks and choose your friends wisely. All I can do is wish you well.”

Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell-Gittens represented Ramsey, while Principal State Counsel Joyann Catwell appeared for the State.