Vincentian Gets Jail Time, Forfeits Over $178K
Vincentian national and resident of Virgin Gorda, Paul Mercutius Jack was on Tuesday, March 23, sentenced to nine and a half months at Her Majesty’s Prison and also $178,440, believed to be proceeds of crime, to the state.
Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards initially imposed a 19 month-sentence on him. However, he was given a one-third discount for his early guilty plea, which was reduced to 13 months. He had been on remand since December last year and was given a reduced sentence of nine and a half months that took his time spent on remand into account.
The Magistrate also ordered that the $178,440 be forfeited to the Crown.
The court heard that on December 4, 2020, about 7:55 am, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) executed a search warrant on Jack’s residence. Upon arrival, police met the defendant at the front of his home, working on a wooden toolbox.
During the execution of the warrant, the toolbox was searched, and during that time, the officers observed that the toolbox had a secret compartment located at the base. The secret compartment was searched in Jack’s presence, revealing three plastic bags containing the aforementioned cash.
When police cautioned Jack, he reportedly said: “Officer, I don’t know whatever you see there; it is what it
He was subsequently taken to the Virgin Gorda Police Station, where he admitted that the money belonged to him.
He was later charged with the offence. Notably, Jack, a mason by trade, was unemployed at the time of the offence.
Lawyer Ruthilia Maximea represented Jack during the criminal matter.
The Magistrate also ordered that the $178,440 be forfeited to the Crown.
The court heard that on December 4, 2020, about 7:55 am, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) executed a search warrant on Jack’s residence. Upon arrival, police met the defendant at the front of his home, working on a wooden toolbox.
During the execution of the warrant, the toolbox was searched, and during that time, the officers observed that the toolbox had a secret compartment located at the base. The secret compartment was searched in Jack’s presence, revealing three plastic bags containing the aforementioned cash.
When police cautioned Jack, he reportedly said: “Officer, I don’t know whatever you see there; it is what it
He was subsequently taken to the Virgin Gorda Police Station, where he admitted that the money belonged to him.
He was later charged with the offence. Notably, Jack, a mason by trade, was unemployed at the time of the offence.
Lawyer Ruthilia Maximea represented Jack during the criminal matter.
