Eden Lodge resident fined $20,000 over unlicensed .45 pistol dropped in 2019 pursuit

Jonell Ryan Dorrell Williams was ordered to pay $20,000 after pleading guilty to carrying an unlicensed .45 ACP Kahr pistol. The firearm dropped during a police chase seven years ago.

$20,000 fine for Eden Lodge man whose pistol fell during police chase

A resident of Block 5B Division Drive, Eden Lodge, has been ordered to pay $20,000 after pleading guilty to carrying an unlicensed firearm — an offence that dates back more than seven years, Barbados Today reports.

Jonell Ryan Dorrell Williams appeared before the No. 3A Supreme Court, where he had previously entered a guilty plea to possessing a .45 ACP calibre Kahr semi-automatic pistol without a valid licence on 17 February 2019.

At Tuesday's sentencing hearing, Justice Anthony Blackman set a starting sentence of ten years for the offence. That figure was reduced by two years in recognition of mitigating factors, with a further one-third deducted for the guilty plea. Once Williams' time on remand and the delay in bringing the matter to trial were factored in, he was left with 1,872 days to serve.

Justice Blackman, agreeing with counsel that a financial penalty would satisfy the requirements of justice, imposed the $20,000 fine in lieu of the custodial term. Williams must pay half the amount immediately, with the remaining balance due within four weeks. Should he default, he will serve the outstanding sentence at Dodds Prison.

The court heard how the incident unfolded near the Financial Services Commission, where officers spotted a man in a red shirt and long brown trousers. The man — later identified as Williams — was approached by police. He ran, prompting officers to give chase. One shouted "gun, gun" while another called out "Police, drop the gun."

Williams kept running before falling to the ground. As he fell, the pistol he had been carrying dropped from his right hand. He was arrested at the scene.

When asked to account for the weapon, Williams told officers: "I just went to buy it from a man out on the main road." He also acknowledged that he held no licence for the firearm.

Acting Senior State Counsel Treann Knight and Principal State Counsel Joyann Catwell prosecuted the case. Attorneys Veronica McFarlane and Ricardo Harrison appeared on behalf of Williams.

Source: Barbados Today