On today’s date, 12th February 2019, (23) foreign nationals were arraigned in Magistrate Court #11 before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux for various Immigration offences, listed as follows:

(18) Haitian nationals in the recent incident in Abaco pled guilty and were all convicted of ‘Illegal Landing’. Early deportation was ordered.

Alex August and Evans Joseph, both Haitian nationals, arrested in Eleuthera were both convicted of ‘Illegal Landing’. Early deportation was ordered.

Blandie Dorval, Haitian national, arrested in Abaco was convicted of ‘Illegal Landing’. Early deportation was ordered.

Yieson Medina Reyes and Julio Melo Mejia, both Dominican nationals were convicted of;
a) ‘Possession of a Fraudulent Document’
b) ‘Unlawful Use of Fraudulent Document’
They were both fined $1000.00 on each count or in default of payment sentenced (1) year imprisonment to run concurrently.

All Haitian nationals were subsequently turned over to The Department of Immigration for early deportation. However, fines were not paid for Dominican nationals and they were turned over to The Royal Bahamas Police Force for transport to Bahamas Department of Correctional Services where they will serve their sentences.

End.