Crime & Violence
Paguada brothers found guilty of Paul Jex murder; third suspect acquitted
On Monday, July 24th, Delson and Tionne Paguada were found guilty of the 2018 murder of Jimell Paul Jex at the Supreme Court in Belize City. The third person accused of the murder, Timothy Carcamo, was acquitted due to identification issues.
Crime & Violence
Jose Mendoza to be sentenced after pleading guilty to the death of his father-in-law Gaspar Vargas
Jose Ricardo Mendoza, who in April 2018 was accused of fatally stabbing his father-in-law Gaspar Vargas, was sent back to the Kolbe Foundation-Belize Central Prison after he pled guilty. He had reportedly been out on a $40,000 bail for the charge of manslaughter. But after he pled guilty on Wednesday, July 19, at his hearing in Belize City’s Supreme Court, he was remanded and will remain at the central prison until his sentencing.
Crime & Violence
Belizean- American Lalman Logan acquitted of Christopher Meighan’s 2018 murder
The Meighan family in Caye Caulker was caught off-guard after learning that the person accused of murdering their son, 34-year-old Lalman Logan, was found not guilty of the crime. On Friday, July 14th, Justice Ricardo O’Neil gave his verdict at the Supreme Court in Belize City, acquitting Logan of any charges relating to the Murder of Christopher Meighan.
Police News
San Pedro Police remove weapons, ammunition, and drugs from the streets
The island police formation has removed several weapons, ammunition, and drugs found in empty lots and among grown vegetation across San Pedro Town. The successful searches were conducted on Tuesday, July 11th, in the San Pedrito and San Juan subdivisions. No one was in the immediate areas of the findings, and as a result, the items were sealed, labeled, and deposited as found property.
Police News
No foul play suspected in body found floating off San Pedro beach
A police report indicates no signs of physical violence or other injuries to the lifeless body of a male person found underneath a dock in San Pedro Town on Monday, June 26th. The body, yet to be identified, was transported to the San Pedro morgue until transferred to Belize City for a post-mortem examination.
Police News
Jasmine Hartin leaves Belize after being temporarily detained for failure to produce fine payment receipt
Canadian national Jasmine Hartin has been released from police custody after being detained for almost 24 hours at the Corozal Town police station. On Tuesday, June 6th, she was detained at the northern border, trying to cross into Mexico with a Canadian emergency travel document. Officers at the border questioned the travel document. They asked Hartin if she had paid the $75,000 fine she had been ordered to pay as part of her May 31st sentencing for the shooting death of Police Superintendent Henry Jemmott. Hartin could not produce a receipt, and thus not allowed to leave the country, and was placed into custody.
Crime & Violence
John Hyde Jr. charged for the murder of Floyd Samuels in Caye Caulker
Police have formally arrested and charged 26-year-old John Elwin Hyde Jr. with Murder following the shooting death of Caye Caulker resident, Floyd Samuels, 45. On the night of Saturday, June 3rd, Samuels was shot dead at his residence on Avenida Mangle. According to a police report, two male persons reportedly went to his home to purchase tobacco leaves (‘fonto’) from him. Afterward, neighbors reported that they heard gunshots in the area.
Police News
Police Department issues restrictions on the use of firearms for advertising/posting online
The Belize Police Department has issued a memo restricting the use of firearms for advertising and/or making posts on social media. The official note, dated May 30th, was addressed to gun dealers, and expressed concerns about how firearms are used to attract sale. The Belize Police Department set out a stern warning, highlighting that if such behavior continues, it can lead to an arrest and the revocation of licenses.
