Rhondella Guishard, 25, from Horse Path and Rashon Lewis, 42, from Jacksonville, Florida appeared before Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards earlier today for unlawful possession of 24 rounds of ammunition and keeping of an unlicensed firearm.

Lewis is also charged with two counts of possession of a controlled drug and two counts of possession with intent to supply.

Allegations

The prosecution alleged that on August 30, 2022, police officers were on patrol on Blackburn Highway near Hodge’s Creek when they noticed a black vehicle parked in the parking lot of Hodge’s Creek Marina.

The court was told that police officers approached the vehicle and Lewis was in the driver’s seat while Guishard was in the front passenger’s seat.

The prosecution said the police detected the smell of marijuana. The officers asked Lewis if he had anything illegal and he told the officers he had a little bit of weed.

According to the prosecution, the defendant pulled a small plastic bag from his pocket and handed it to the officers. The court was told Lewis was cautioned and he attempted to put his car in gear and evade police officers. He was prevented from doing this and the police proceeded to search the vehicle in front of him and Guishard.

The prosecution said officers found a firearm and a magazine in the glove compartment of the front passenger seat. The court was told both passengers denied any knowledge of the gun. They were both arrested and transported to the Road Town Police Station.

The prosecution said the suspected cannabis was weighed and amounted to 18.17 grams with an estimated street value of $181.70. The gun was said to be a Smith and Wesson M&P with 24 rounds of ammunition in the magazine.

The court was informed that police executed a search warrant on the home of Lewis and 220 grams of suspected marijuana were found in a suitcase. Police also found 1600 grams of MDMA pills or ecstasy.

The prosecution said the police also found that Lewis landed in the territory without proper leave of an immigration officer.

Lewis was ordered remanded and no bail application was made on his behalf by his attorney Stephen Daniels as he is a native of the United States and does not have strong ties to the BVI. Meanwhile, Guishard who was on station bail had her bail extended by Magistrate Richards.

Her attorney, Valerie Stephens-Gordon, told the court Guishard was granted station bail as she suffered an anxiety attack the night after she was arrested.

She told the court her client suffered another anxiety attack the day after and had to be transported to the hospital.

The matter has been adjourned until October 30 for reporting.