BREAKING: Jose Almestica found guilty on all charges
Jose Almestica has been found guilty on all counts against him following a unanimous jury verdict delivered in the High Court moments ago.
The jury found Almestica guilty of possession of cannabis and cocaine with intent to supply, possession of prohibited and unlicensed firearms, and unlawful possession of explosives.
The charges stemmed from a property known as The Reef in Ballast Bay. Prosecutors argued that Almestica had actual or constructive possession of the illegal items, even if he was not physically present at the time of discovery.
Renee Smith, who was jointly charged with Almestica on several counts, was found guilty on a single count of acquisition of proceeds of criminal conduct, relating to the purchase of a Mazda vehicle. She was acquitted on all drug, firearm, and explosives counts and allowed to remain on bail until sentencing.
Two others – Jennifer Smith and Shamal Smith – walked free from the High Court last Thursday after being acquitted of all charges linked to the trial.
Almestica has been remanded with his sentencing scheduled for November 17.
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He going to escape i hear him say he going to make a run I want to c see dis one
They definitely need to shackle him!
Didn’t the prison officers let them out after Irma?
Y’all will say anything to incriminate this man like he was the worst tola ever seen roast your own people
Along with NE and AN he is one of the worst Tola ever. The 3 are allegedly responsible for dozens of murders.
Whether he was the worse we have ever seen or not, he was a visitor who definitely was not abiding by the laws of this country. Unfortunately, we have to put up with that from our own, but not our visitors. So the criminal minded should not visit this country if they don’t want to be roasted online or locked away for a long time when caught. He sat in this country for years under the radar, we had no idea he was here, and allegedly dealing in drugs and weapons? Please get outta here with your silly comment. You and him can both leave, never to return. This is a small country. His country is much bigger and probably better equipped to deal with this ugly, criminal mind.
With the utmost respect, I’d like to respond to the implications that are being made. If there is solid evidence that this man committed multiple murders as suggested then where is that evidence, and why hasn’t it resulted in formal charges? The BVI justice system is built on due process, not speculation and hear say from people beliefs In street gossip
It’s also worth that a judge in previous article threw out the harbouring charge clearly indicating there was insufficient proof he was even was an escaped prisoner . If that’s the case, how can anyone claim to know with certainty where he was, or what crimes he committed?
If there truly is concrete information about his involvement in murders or his whereabouts, perhaps that information should be presented directly to the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions so it can be acted upon properly. That is the appropriate and legal route for justice not assumptions, rumors, or public trial by media.
Everyone deserves a fair and unbiased process. We must be careful not to let opinion overshadow facts simple because of what we feel .
Not condoning his actions here speaking on law
So we all know NE and others involved in many illegal things but unless the police is helped with information that can lead to an arrest and conviction, then it won’t happen. Stop pretending like because they are not arrested or convicted they innocent. If someone box or smash yuh face in and you refuse to prosecute or tell the police who did it but the entire streets know it’s your man. Does that mean he is innocent because it won’t go to court. Stop been naive.
Where there is smoke. There are embers, a small or large fire.
Good Job
Lock him up indefinitely
What are you using now?
You sound like one of the many women that he was “entangled” with.
Looks like you should of been his lawyer.. if you want him out so bad go jail and sit down next to him. Clown.
i sick and tired of seeing our women get caught up with criminal men only end up a single mother,unmarried for years, beaten up and cheated on constantly and they pass their views on to the next generation of women leaving less and less quality women with no self respect and no self esteem.
The thing is some of these women hold good reputable jobs and have degrees but no sense in them head when picking a mate.
The house he was allegedly staying in had enough guns to wipe out the hole of tortola and over power the police force but you still think he’s innocent.
The woman who sold him out only inform police cuz he had “too much” woman all through Tortola.
the man was allegedly close with our recently killed “businessman” imagine being close friends with a dude that calls himself yokilla proudly on all platforms. please search up west bank records on YouTube and see the music videos that they promote. listen to the lyrics and watch what they do in the videos.
there’s literally a song bragging about west bank got guns like the navy and another song talking about pushing dope.. watch the local women in them videos too. same women who running for pageant and promoting government services and youth affairs and are looked to as aspiring and role models…
imagine calling yourself bank robber and applying to work at bank and this blogger “please stop” would hire them and wonder why the bank money gone missing or getting robbed every month….
we wonder why we got 13yr old’s with guns and why 13yr old in jail for allegedly killing someone. we wonder why there gang called money boys filled with students and highschool drop outs running a muk in the community. Is our fault! Shun the fast life! shun criminal activity! shun street man! shun nightlife/scandalous women! shun music about drugs,fastlife,gangs,violence,killings, and now we here promoting a local artist for festival againnn with he big chains and lyrics about a certain lifestyle to sing to the youths.
government need to check these women social media and friends list like back in the days before hiring. who vex vex
It needs to be said!
Let’s not rewrite the story just to suit a bitter narrative. If we’re going to talk facts, then let’s be honest across the board. This wasn’t some poor, heartbroken girl reacting out of jealousy. She knew the game, knew the situation, and according to the very streets people like to quote she played her part too and sorry he get caught in it.
Some even say she was the one who put things in motion on him So if we’re pointing fingers, maybe we should start by asking: how did certain things get where they ended up? Who really had access? And who was really trying to protect who? Because the whispers say it wasn’t loyalty that failed it was a setup disguised as emotion.
Let’s be real: If she was truly hurt, she could have just walked away. But instead, she stuck around just long enough to twist the knife. And now people want to act like she was blindsided or caught in the crossfire? Nah. The energy wasn’t love it was strategy. And now that it’s backfiring, she’s just trying to play both victim and hero.
Everyone wants to talk about street codes and betrayal—until it comes time to admit that sometimes it’s the closest ones who light the match. So before we keep pushing the narrative that this was just a bitter woman lashing out over other women, let’s consider the possibility that this was about who had the up hand now she walking round scotch free living her life
Persecute him he guilty
The messages on his phone was proof he quilts
If he was a good person he wouldn’t have been hiding from law enforcement in the USVI and BVI
he would have allegedly participated in demise of other men in Tortola and St Thomas
He think his money going save him but camel will enter a needle eye before this convicted criminal…. privy council will see the same. The evidence is overwhelming and facts…
Venezuela he learned Spanish in jail
YOU CALLED IT‼️
Well it seems like you were correct!. He did make a run for it! I wonder who helped him?
So out of the four defendants, two get out at half time without any conviction because the cases against them were so hopeless, one is acquitted of all the charges against her except a minor one which won’t result in prison and she has already been released pending sentence, and only the fourth gets convicted.
Time for a new DPP.
Dem from here, that’s why. In the beweeye, efforts aren’t made to go after their own.
Wow! A well deserved win for the prosecution. Guess the charges were too overwhelming. Let’s see how the sentencing phase go now.
Is this man from the bvi. If not he needs to be deported and let he serve time but in his isle of birth
This human * is from the DR along with more of his compatriots that are slithering all over these VI women selling their bodies and the whole lot of them are determined thieves,
They are one of the major population in the full to the max Balsum Ghut R and R at the expense of our ancestors and current descendants. A drain on our economy from each and every angle. More of them are illegals than are legal. These the perpetrators of the Haitian ongoing genocide.
A curse on these diseased cursed ingrates!
They are an everlasting and global international nuisance.
Was there also a harbouring charge?
The judge uphold a no case submission on that charge
Even if he couldn’t be convicted for the m!%ders he and his boss were responsible for some sort of justice will prevail.
Sound like you was his boss you know a lot
He plan on escaping from here,so you guys give that man any slack he will be gone and he’s being watch for when he make his move
Venezuela and Spanish can’t save you
We going see who obeah is the strongest
Tell them girl you gossip with help you
I hear the frustration in your message, and I understand that many people feel like they “know” what’s going on behind the scenes. But the reality is, our justice system cannot and should not operate on street talk or assumptions, no matter how widespread they are.
You said it yourself: “Unless the police are helped with information that can lead to an arrest and conviction, then it won’t happen.” That’s exactly the point. Justice requires evidence, due process, and fair trial not whispers or public opinion. If someone truly has information that can prove criminal acts, the only responsible thing to do is take it to the proper authorities.
The “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” saying is often used, but smoke without fire can also be steam, fog, or deliberate distraction. People get falsely accused every day based on emotion and gossip, especially when there’s history, jealousy, or community bias involved.
Let’s not confuse silence or lack of charges with guilt or innocence. If there’s proof bring it forward. If not, we owe it to ourselves to refrain from passing judgment based on things we cannot prove. Justice must be rooted in facts, not in feelings.
Let’s talk facts. I’m someone who genuinely cares about what’s happening in the BVI. And right now? Our justice system is running on negative zero. How can anyone have confidence in a system where even the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) the one who’s supposed to uphold justice can’t secure solid convictions that hold up under scrutiny?
Let’s dig deeper. The juries of our own peers can’t seem to find the evidence strong enough to convict everyone she brings forward. And when a guilty verdict does come about? It ends up being overturned in the appellate court. So what are we really saying here? If her cases can’t stand up to legal review, if the juries themselves are unconvinced, and if her track record is riddled with reversals how can anyone still blindly believe that everyone she charges is automatically guilty?
You can’t distrust the DPP’s competence and then turn around and claim that every person brought to court is guilty just because she says so. That’s not justice that’s a dangerous illusion. And if we, the people, don’t start questioning the cracks in the foundation, then we’re all at risk of being buried beneath it.
Facts is with all the bull crap murders and comments about gangs people need to be allowed to protect their family. The USA would be run by gangs but the good people have a right to bear arms.
When a crime is committed someone did it be it a mystery. Its a small place you dont have to be in organized crime to keep your eyes and ears open as people should. The problem is many police arent local or serious about anything besides money.
Jahmal is going to get you a good Obeah Woman bro
Freedom is a must
They playing with fire
Wessel got you fam keep your head up
Yo my boy psalms 51
Jesus has the final say
I here in Barbados praying for you
In the name of Jesus, set Jose free
This in not fair the drugs in the house belong to NE
My boy was just a bodyguard
BH and NE dead because of bad luck I guess
What goes up must come down
Be the bad guy and get bad guy results
Ride on your white horse and fall on black soil
The Ancestors watching and waiting to get rid of this kind of pestilence out of the BVI….