Camille W. King, the captain
Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News
Camille W. King, the captain
Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News
The captain of the speed boat where two illegal, loaded firearms were discovered at Frenchman's Cay on July 19 was sentenced to a total of 30 months in prison at the Her Majesty´s Prison, Balsum Ghut.
Camille W. King, 33, of St. Thomas along with the two passengers, Kimo Inniss, 21, of St. Croix and Germaine O. Bell Jr., 22, of St. Thomas were sentenced today, August 2 by Magistrate Tamia Richards.
On July 23, King pleaded guilty to all the charges, while the other men pleaded not guilty to the firearm and ammunition charges, but guilty to landing in the Territory without leave from immigration.
The crown had dropped the firearm and ammunition charges against Inniss and Belle. They were both sentenced to eight months in prison each for the charge of landing in the Territory without leave from immigration.
King had pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful possession of explosives; landing in the Territory without leave from an Immigration Officer; two counts of unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm; two counts of importation of a firearm; three counts of importation of explosives; and unlawful importation of goods at a place other than a customs port.
The weapons were a glock 26 and smith wesson, and there were a total of 35 rounds of ammunition.
The men during the July 23 hearing, and today´s hearing maintained that they did not come to the BVI to stay, but were seeking fuel and Inniss knew someone who could have assisted.
Prior to the Magistrate handing down her sentence, Senior Crown Counsel Christlyn Benjamin told the court that additional information came to her attention that the vessel was seen by police earlier before they were apprehended.
She said they were spotted in the Fort Recovery area heading in the area of Road Town and subsequently at Frenchman´s Cay. She said when the boat was spotted in the area of Fort Recovery, but no suspicion was aroused at that time.
Benjamin said that the court must take note that there is a service station at Frenchman´s Cay dock and in order to reach to the mangroves where the boat was moored, the men would have had to pass the open area.
Police officer Steve George of the Tactical Unit, told the court today that the rounds in the firearms were in the barrel and ready for use.
He also stated that after speaking with officers from the Marine Unit of the police force he was told that the boat had 3 gallons of gas in the tank.
However, in court King stated that in order for the police officers to take the boat to Road Town he had to buy $60.00 fuel.
This was confirmed by Officer George.
The court was also provided with documents from the USVI, and King and Belle have no conviction record; however, Inniss pleaded guilty for having an unauthorized firearm and control substance.
He was placed on two year probation and ordered to obtain a high school diploma and remain employed on a fulltime basis.
L-R: Germaine Bell and Kimo Inniss
Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News
L-R: Germaine Bell and Kimo Inniss
Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News
Meanwhile, there will be a forfeiture hearing on September 17 in relation to the boat. The owner of the boat will have to be present.
During the July 23 hearing, Benjamin said on Thursday, July 19, members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) were on mobile patrol duty when they received a report of three male persons removing items from a white boat in Frenchman's Cay in the area of the mangroves.
Police officers visited the area where they observed the three male persons exiting the mangroves and upon further observation, saw three boats moored.
The men walked towards a rental vehicle and then officers approached the individuals and identified themselves as Police Officers dressed in plain clothes.
The officers then requested to see their IDs and this was produced and showed that they were all US citizens residing in the USVI.
King told officers that he was the captain of one of the boats moored in the mangroves. He told officers that they were sailing around St. John when the boat ran out of fuel. King told Police that they came ashore Frenchman's Cay to buy fuel and Inniss knew someone on the island who would have assisted.
Bell and Inniss were then taken to the Police Station, while King and another Police Officer went to the boat where a search was conducted. The officer opened a hatch in the cabin's floor where he observed two loaded firearm magazines. Both men immediately exited the boat and the forensic team was called in.
The firearms were found in the cabin area on a ledge.
Sooner you get the idea that people with loaded guns are not playing but mean bad business and will use them to assault people the better you will understand the problem how dangerous they are.
Guess if you get shot or gun... more
Three men arrive in a country illegally with weapons loaded and ready to use.
18 months? This is a joke right!
Any more cheap shots or do you want to start to contribute to sensible dialogue?
Probably want to lock me up for... more
Yes girl, you take a page outa Redhead book keep it up. I am proud of u and you must keep up the good works. Those criminals will know how much salt butter cost a pound when they go before you and it will make a lot more think before they commit the act.