Two ex-policemen were yesterday brought before a city court to answer charges of illegal possession of a pistol and ammunition charge and threatening language charges.
Jarrel Huntley, 27, of 140 Lamaha Springs, Greater Georgetown was accused of having in his possession a 9mm pistol and 14 rounds of 9mm ammunition without a licence on March 11. He and George Valladres, 35, of 159 Third Street Alexander Village were also both charged with using threatening language to Sarindra Etwaroo on the same date. Both men denied all of the charges when they appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman.
Representing both men, attorney Bernard Da Silva requested reasonable bail for his clients on the threatening language charges. He pointed out that his clients had never had any trouble with the law and claimed that the gun found by the police had been a toy gun.
In requesting bail for Huntley on the weapon and ammunition charges, DaSilva noted that the likelihood of an early trial was remote and therefore bail should be granted.
But Prosecutor Joel Ricknauth refuted the lawyer’s claims on the found gun’s authenticity, emphasising that the weapon was indeed real. Prosecutor Ricknauth further objected to bail, citing the prevalence and nature of the offence as his reasons. He added that the firearm had been found on Huntley.
Ricknauth explained that Etwaroo had been threatened via phone by the defendants, who had claimed that they would hurt Etwaroo’s family if he did not pay money owed to them. A meeting was set up and the defendants were nabbed by police officers during the agreed rendezvous with Etwaroo.
Ricknauth further added that since the defendants were both ex-policemen and are known to Etwaroo, they might visit the man’s home and interfere with him.
In rebuttal, attorney-at-law Patrice Henry, stated that he found it strange that Etwaroo had been threatened by both defendants at the same time via phone. Unless two phones had been used, Henry said, both defendants could not possibly have threatened the man.
He additionally stated that it was also strange that Etwaroo would agree to meet with the men after he had been threatened so seriously.
After considering the matter, Magistrate Latchman granted both men $30,000 bail on their threatening language charges. For his possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence charges, Huntley was remanded to prison.
The duo will make another appearance on March 28.
