Low-wage gov’t worker paid $5.5K monthly for prison escapee’s rent
Renee Smith, one of the persons accused of harbouring the recently recaptured prison escapee, Jose Almestica, allegedly rented the three-bedroom Ballast Bay apartment Almestica stayed in for $5,550 monthly.
But the prosecution pointed to a major financial discrepancy. Prosecutors told the court that Smith, a 33-year-old cashier at the BVI Health Services Authority, only earns a monthly salary of $1,800.
In assessing whether to grant the Smith bail, Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards said, based on the allegations, it appears Smith has access to a cash reserve since her salary did not match the money she reportedly paid for the three-bedroom apartment.
Magistrate Richards said this indicated Smith could afford the means of escaping the territory if she was granted bail. Smith was therefore denied bail.
Allegations
It is alleged that Smith rented the apartment through a rental agency in January of this year,
The court was told the prosecution had a copy of the rental agreement which had the signature of Smith and the name of the agency (which was not disclosed).
The court was also informed that a copy of Smith’s photo identification used for the rental lease was also in possession of the police.
The prosecution alleged that when Smith rented the apartment, she had indicated to the renters that others were expected to join her in the three-bedroom apartment.
It is alleged that she also told the renters no one should visit the apartment without prior consent from her. The court was told that the owners of the apartment had made arrangements for the apartment to be sold. However, Smith allegedly indicated on two separate occasions that it would not be convenient to visit the apartment at those times.
Receipts of payments
The prosecution also told the court they had receipts for the payment of the rent and they were in Smith’s name. The prosecution said they had receipts from January, when the apartment was rented, until November of this year. The court was also told most of the payments were done with cash.
The total payment of rent over the period is said to be a little more than $55,000 which Magistrate Richards indicated was significantly more than Smith’s combined salary over the same timeframe.
Who legally has ownership of apartment’s contents?
The magistrate noted that, from a legal standpoint, the contents found in the apartment would belong to Smith as her name is on the lease.
The prosecution said they found large quantities of guns, cocaine, marijuana and cash.
Meanwhile, the prosecution also alleged that blue vehicle belonging to Smith was seen at the Ballast Bay apartment on December 6 and was used to transport Almestica on other occasions. However, Smith denied having any knowledge of the vehicle when questioned by police officers.
The prosecution also informed the court the police had received information Smith had planned on leaving the territory and she was arrested in the parking lot of the Road Town Ferry Dock.
She was not trying to leave territory, says attorney
However, Smith’s lawyer, Stephen Daniels, contended that the parking lot in which she was found was also used for parking at the hospital where his client worked.
He also said she was with her mother in the parking lot and she did not have any travel documents — which would have been required to leave the territory — in her possession.
Smith is jointly charged with her brother Shamal Smith for harbouring Jose Almestica.
They join Jennifer Smith who is also charged with the same offence. They are facing up to 14 years imprisonment if found guilty.
Smith, in the meantime, returns to court on February 2, 2022.
Shamal Smith knew he ran errands for a wanted man, court hears
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Not condoning anything but 33 years, 1800 a month before tax and NHI. Living on an island with expensive necessities as well as utilities. Be honest and put your self in that situation and opportunity comes knocking to ease the burden of the expensive cost of living, would you not be tempted. Am I the only one that feel government should pay their workers better to avoid folks making bad decisions due the inherent need for survival?
Me personally,would be tempted to further my education or learn a skill, as opposed to risking my daily life with involvement in a situation of illegal guns drugs ammunition and dangerous prison escapee. My life real possibility to be snuffed out in a brutal fashion which includes prison dignity,shame and that of family and country. No Sah !!!
Agreed! Government need to pay their “low level “staff better!!! They really don’t…then they are shocked when they grasp at certain opportunities.
The teacher with the master’s degree that struggling with mortgage, you forget?
Obviously she’s doing well enough to get approved for a mortgage. How many people would get laughed out the bank?
How does a person earning $ 1,800/month get to have control of a property that they can rent for $5,500/month? And, why would they not inquire the source of funding? Rents that high are usually paid with cheques, not cash. Does not look good at all for Ms. Smith.
The h**ry bank is where the money’s at
These big time mafia operation need smart people. This kind of business is not for everyone…For sure not these foolish people..
You can say that again smh Harry Potter character DUMBledore.
These gurls and their love of MONEY!! BVI got the fixings for a great Netflix series, this is going to be very interesting!!!
He was on the loose for a whole Lotta months more than the 4 or 5 months rent they talkin bout. Where N in who covered him….post the
Photos of the Jennifer and the Shamal…refresh the public’s memory about what we have seen and heard..we want to help but not help keep things in darkness like it does happen in these kinda criminal activities and it all fade away as time goes by.
Me personally,would be tempted to further my education or learn a skill, as opposed to risking my daily life with involvement in a situation of illegal guns drugs ammunition and dangerous prison escapee. My life real possibility to be snuffed out in a brutal fashion which includes prison dignity,shame and that of family and country. No Sah !!!
We need to protect the good name of the BVI from people like Gus who want to put the BVI in a bad light.
I’m being sarcastic. Lol.
The boss always use pawns who lust for money is their downfall, they don’t have long term vision just happy for a quick buck.
I use the word boss losely, cause some of them is clowns with money who use to get bully and suh
That’s why mans MEAN right now.
So where was he prior to January? How does the brother fit in. That was not stated.
Nature’s little secret…..full ah secrets.
Ceto must be turning in he grave. Never envy people for what they have because we don’t know what they do to get it. RIP Ceto.
Why y’all like to bring people parents on thing.. She is 33 she made her own decisions the man done dead and gone he turning in he grave cause people like you wouldn’t stop call he name! Mind Yours!
It is important to most for a background since we does tell ourselves,very conveniently that ” it takes a villge” I want to know what line of Smith dem from..Muckin about the names of the US/ Vi Smith Royal family is ting to talk
.out of character stuff. Important to know who dem fa and if the nether section of the Caribbean is in dem veins,DNA and home trainin.
A good ‘ss whipping is warranted just on principle. Mosquita mestica man need to be deported to USVI for trial there where he is guaranteed rsnsport for a lengthy stay in a Federsl Prison on the US nainland. His deeply *** soul will *** in one of those Southern pen.
All of who spending Benny money, only a matter of time, wanna have lunch and rob your dinner plate. Many more to go
How is she not charged for money laundering? Our justice system is slack and she need to be taught a lesson
Not her alone but also the renter.
If you are taking deposits to the bank with large cash amounts, especially in the real estate or rental market, the bank has a duty to red flag it and report it to Financial investigating.
If you go to the bank to deposit $5k, they asking you a million questions and have you sign a million pieces of paper. If you receive a large wire transfer, they ask you a million questions about who, what, where, when and why.
This landlord also needs looking into. This is why labels such as “corrupt” are placed on this country because it takes more than one to carryout the deed.
I agree i said the same thing, didnt the renters or realtors find in strange they only get paid in ash, didnt they find it weird that this person was making demands of restricting access to the property especially for the purpose of facilitating a potential sale of the property? did they dig into her to hve some bback ground on her to support her being able to afford such a high rent? alot of red flags in my opinion
Low Wage Government Employee or not, how many of us can afford a $5500 mortgage or $5500 in rent? The Low Wage part was not necessary and I find this website annoying sometimes.
@Silly headline I know right. Even if you made $90K a year that would still be an extravagant amount to pay every month
90,000 is low wage in the real world.
In the real world the average oung folks are making six figures and up. Solid value education. And a College degree froma a decent
College.