Eden Lodge man fined $20 000 for firearm

The unlicensed firearm which fell from his hand during a police pursuit seven years ago, has cost an Eden Lodge man $20 000.

Jonell Ryan Dorrell Williams, of Block 5B Division Drive, previously pleaded guilty in the No. 3A Supreme Court to having a .45 ACP calibre Kahr semi-automatic pistol without a valid licence on February 17, 2019.

During the sentencing hearing on Tuesday, Justice Anthony Blackman set a starting sentence of 10 years for the offence before reducing it by two years for mitigating factors and deducting one third for the guilty plea. After his time on remand and the delay in bringing the matter to trial were taken into account, Williams was left with 1 872 days to serve.

Agreeing with counsel that a fine would meet the requirements of justice, Justice Blackman ordered Williams to pay half of the $20 000 fine immediately, with the balance due in four weeks. In default, Williams will serve the remaining sentence at Dodds Prison.

The court heard that police officers were in the vicinity of the Financial Services Commission when they approached a man dressed in a red shirt and long brown trousers, later identified as Williams. Officers pursued him, with one shouting “gun, gun” and another shouting “Police, drop the gun”. Williams continued running but fell to the ground, and the pistol he was carrying fell from his right hand.

He was apprehended and asked to account for the gun. He said: “I just went to buy it from a man out on the main road.” He told the officers he did not have a licence for the firearm.

Acting Senior State Counsel Treann Knight and Principal State Counsel Joyann Catwell prosecuted the case, while attorneys Veronica McFarlane and Ricardo Harrison represented Williams.

(JB)