UPDATE: Stanley sentenced for harbouring illegal male dancers
BVI News Staff - Friday, August 17th, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Denise Stanley, who is accused of harbouring four illegal male dancers who she allegedly deceived into performing at an event she hosted, was today, August 17 sentenced to seven months imprisonment by Magistrate Tamia Richards.
In handing down her decision, Magistrate Richard noted that the maximum sentence is 12 months imprisonment or a $1,000 fine.
The magistrate said the defendant has no previous conviction and she was very impressed with the testimony of the defendant’s daughter whom she said is wise beyond her years, as she told the court that when she found out what her mother intended she allegedly told her mother: “Yes I know things are tight but you don’t have to do that for money.”
It was stated that the magistrate took into consideration that the offence was committed for financial gain, there was a high degree of deception, and the defendant harboured persons who were strangers to the territory.
“The Crown relied on 16 cases of illegal entry in its sentencing guidelines,” the magistrate noted.
She also pointed out that the court took into consideration that the defendant is a single mother with four children, two of whom are minors. However, the magistrate added that the court is horrified that the defendant, after being refused permission, ran afoul of the law and shows no respect for the laws of the territory.
Magistrate Richards stated that there are no exceptional circumstances to permit the seven months sentence of Stanley to be deferred. She also said that the sentence will run from the date of remand (July 23).
Four men, Reginald Billins, Asa Ambrister, Andre Baker, and Alesian Rolle were charged with Je’Neal Furett, a USVI resident, for illegal entry.
JULY 24 REPORT: Charges dismissed against male exotic dancers; show organiser remanded
This afternoon the charges were dismissed against the four male exotic dancers who pleaded guilty to illegal entry in the Magistrate’s Court on July 23. However, Magistrate Tamia Richards warned Reginald Billins, Asa Ambrister, Andre Baker, and Alesian Rolle to be careful in the future.
On the other hand, Je’Neal Furett, the USVI native who was identified as a friend of the promoter Denise Stanley, was fined $500 which she was ordered to be paid today.
Meanwhile, show organizer Stanley was remanded until August 2, at which time the court will decide what sentence to impose on her.
EARLIER STORY
The four male exotic dancers, who were among the six arrested during the weekend, told Magistrate Tamia Richards in court on July 23 that they would like to be paid for their performance on Friday, July 20.
Reginald Billins, who said the other dancers were part of his crew, told the magistrate that they were to be paid $200 a piece for their performance but were not compensated and wished to be.
“We have like $7 to our name right now,” he told the court.
The four men, Billins, Asa Ambrister, Andre Baker, and Alesian Rolle were charged with Je’Neal Furett, a USVI resident, for illegal entry. Denise Stanley, the organizer of the two-night event the men were expected to perform at, was also charged. She is before the court for the offence of harbouring illegal immigrants.
In presenting the facts, Senior Crown Counsel Christlyn Benjamin told the court that in early July 2012, Stanley made an application to the Labour Department for work permits for the men to come to the BVI to work and perform as exotic dancers, but the application was denied and Stanley was informed.
However it was stated that Stanley went ahead and organized the show. The Crown counsel presented the magistrate with a copy of a flyer that was prepared and read that the advertisement stated: “Ladies night out, exotic male review” and locations were listed as Drakes Point Hotel, and The Wedding in Cane Garden Bay.
The court heard that Stanley then informed Billins that their permits were granted and everything was in place. The court was told that Stanley and Furett, her friend, met the guys at the airport in St. Thomas and that they travelled from Red Hook to Tortola via a speed boat.
Stanley instructed the captain of the vessel to moor at Pusser’s dock at Frenchman’s Cay, and there they all came off. On land Stanley took the passports of the others and then returned with it and informed them that everything was safe. She is said to have taken the persons to a hotel in Cane Garden Bay.
The magistrate was told that the men performed on Friday night and that on Saturday, police, customs and immigration began to search for the persons. Rolle, Baker and Furett were located in Cane Garden Bay, while the others were later met at Stanley’s apartment in Spooner Estate.
Billins told the magistrate during his mitigation that he never meant any disrespect to the territory, the officials or the court and that they all came with their passport and identification card to enter legally.
“We were told that we are here legally. I want to apologize to my crew since they trusted me,” he said.
Billins added that he is married.
“We came to make a little money, but we were deceived. I would never jeopardize my family and life for a little money and come here illegal,” he said.
The other defendants explained to the court that they also were deceived into thinking that they came legally to the BVI.
Furrett told the court that she is the office manager for a US senator and is usually a very responsible person. She said that she just wanted to get away for a little while and came over. She stated that July 20 was the first time she met the dancers.
Stanley also apologized and asked the magistrate to be lenient towards her.
The defendants who all pleaded guilty will be sentenced today.
Copyright 2013 BVI News, Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
28 Comments
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this is ABSURD! too much double standards meh son… so much strip clubs littering the place, Police and politicians alike in the strip club watching women but they gonna put this woman in jail. Pretending morality, gimme a break, Injustice is rampant in dis place.
Muddddddddooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Y did they plead guilty?? Thts nonsence
Girl you didn’t a need dancers from florida …Tola got plenty of male dancers like Eggy who would work for free… Not to mention no work permit needed…second all you had to do was pay him with a can of beer.
The sexual dancing performed by these men is no different from some of the dancing allowably done by people during Festival (where kids are present).
Who is this Denise? She has got to be as incompetent as they come because she knows that the BVI is only but so big… and yet AFTER the work permit denial (she don’t know the laws) she still went ahead and ADVERTISED an event that she know could bring more harm than any good to these men and their family/career. And in advertising she GAVE the police and immigration the green light to reign on their parade. Shame on her for her faulty unprofessional stance in such a simple matter. My thing is, they need to release these men so they can go home- not deport them because in actuality they WERE infact deceived. But my thing is, they probably was gonna make more money doing other side jobs. Who the hell would travel ALL the way from the US Mainland to do 2 gigs at $200 a piece? Like, really? Yea, ok. She had OTHER intentions for them and they’re not letting on.
$200.00 plus tips.
I agree. Let the men go and hit the book at Denise. A conniving and deceitful act such as hers could lead to problems with these men travels in the future especially if the BVI deports them. If I were them I’d sue this woman.
i agree with you but dont worry redhead is there waiting on her
“Inside law” you have falied your research module. The story reads, July 24 REPORT: Charges dismissed against male exotic dancers.
They were NOT deported. Reading is fundamental.
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Trust me, I saw them perform, they ARE professional male strippers. Male strippers put on an act and entertain the ladies. These guys were entertaining:-)
When you dont know anything you really need to keep your mouth shut from highlighting your ignorance. The reason they only request $200 is just that, a retainer. Most of them in one night make anywhere from $1000 ++ in one night in the money thrown at them and private dances. You are not smart we need to send you back to school.
Who else you know can make $200.00 a night upfront with the possibility of making an extra $500-$1000 in addition to that with tips? You really an idiot and know nothing about this type of ‘entertainment’. If that show came off for the 2 nights, those guys would’ve left here with about $2,000.00 each minimum. That’s not bad for trip to the BVI, 2 days work and some horny women running you down! LMAO!
I see reading comprehension was not your strong point in school.
hey where was I when all this was happening lawd we(women) finally get a little entertainment and you all f***** it up come on. I need a stress and recession reliever Please…. It had to be some jealous men/husband who did this why is it you all can have your fun, yes I does see you big married men in the strip clubs and we cant have one night of fun too.
I was so excited! I was waiting on tis mehson. Wat a damper on me Nookie. LOL
Nobody’s talking about the boat captain who dropped them off at Pussers dock. He’s just as bad.
The dancers should be released, in my opinion.
That’s true. Who was the captain? That person should be charged.
Yes I sure boat man get he share too from Denise….
The others were found at her house?? Where were her kids? She NOW so care about her kids and have strippers there?!?!!!??? Hmm well sah!
They weren’t in the house stripping.
@ Elli. you’re an idiot.
Can’t understand why these particular dancers were denied entertainment permits. What, we have dozens of female dancers performing lewd acts and allowing men to grope them inappropriately on a nightly basis… Not even mentioning the sexual acts they perform for solicited monies. These guys come do a show and move on. Out of here in a week. No prostition involved. So why were they denied work permits? Is it because they are males???
Because Honey, the people who are bringing in these female ‘Entertainment’ ain’t bothering to apply for any permit! News Flash its ILLEGAL! I do not condone wrong doing but she is a DUMB criminal… she was to bring them in illegal from the jump and perhaps don’t advertise all over the place.
How you mean the show now being held up Balsam Ghut (side eye)???
the local promototers should be charged insted of the dancers they came in to do a job its the local promoters duty to ensure all the paper work is inkeeping with the country
LMAO!! Denied permits, advertised the show all over the place then try to come in illegally? EPIC FAIL!!!
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