Not a flight risk! Teen on gun charge granted bail
A local teen accused of carrying a firearm without a license has been offered $50,000 signed bail.
Nineteen-year-old T’Quan Bodkin of Huntums Ghut, Tortola received the bail offer when he appeared before Magistrate Christilyn Benjamin via virtual hearing on Tuesday.
He was not made to answer to the charge since the matter is indictable; therefore triable at the High Court.
Allegations
Prosecutors allege that members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force were in the area of the Waterfront Drive jetty about 11:45 am on Friday when they saw Bodkin.
He was reportedly walking on to the ferry dock in what was perceived as a “fidgety”, suspicious manner carrying a backpack.
The accused was approached by the officers who claimed they smelt what they believed to be marijuana so they accosted and searched the teen.
Firearm, Ski mask discovered/ Items belong to cousin
The Crown said the search led to the discovery of a .38 special revolver in Bodkin’s backpack. It is alleged that police also found a ski mask, one long sleeve shirt, and a pair of long pants.
After being cautioned, Bodkin allegedly responded that neither the backpack nor the items within the bag belonged to him. He further told officers that he was merely delivering the backpack to the boat to send to his cousin on Virgin Gorda.
Officers then took Bodkin to the Road Town Police Station where a further search was conducted which revealed several pairs of blue latex gloves in his back pocket, along with $750.
The teen was later interviewed where he denied all allegations against him.
The RVIPF subsequently charged Bodkin for carrying a firearm without a license.
No objection to bail
Prosecutors did not object to bail.
Magistrate Benjamin said the court felt the accused was not a flight risk and would attend all of his court dates.
While noting that the offence is one that is very serious, Magistrate Benjamin also said Bodkin was bailable considering that the police had confiscated the firearm.
Bodkin, who is represented by attorney Stephen Daniels, must surrender all his travel documents and will have to report to the Road Town Police Station on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays between 6 am and 5 pm.
He is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday, January 27 next year.
Second gun accused remanded until Wednesday
Meanwhile, in a second and separate matter involving a gun, 24-year-old Kenaz Hazel of Purcell Estate was remanded until Wednesday.
Hazel, who is known to the court, appeared to be unrepresented when he appeared before Magistrate Benjamin for carrying an unlicensed firearm.
During his appearance on Tuesday, he informed the court that he was being represented but his attorney was not present at the time.
His matter was therefore adjourned till tomorrow.
He is being held at the Road Town Police Station.
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Lol he rat quick buddy. Stay out that life ain’t for you
Man like he was going eat a food
Another Belonger gets slapped on the wrist. Everyone going skiing in the BVI? Snow a lot there? Everyone carries a ski mask. The gun? Lock his a*s up for 20 years and stop this s**t that’s going on. You people are d**n fools.
They joking with gun punishment around here.
If that is the case why not let persons who qualify be able to have guns legally on their property?
So many gun crimes/shooting yet judges so nonchalant when dealing with an illegal find.
Clearly you don’t know a local name when you see one. Just another opportunity to go lacla bashing.
A set of young clowns walking around with guns to rob people and then got the nerve to rat on his family. Do the time n hush 69
Bail? Give him bail when he gives you the name of the person he got the gun from. VI soft on some. Wonder why.
Why you ask? Because he got family in high places. That’s the Belonger way
Prosecution never objects to bail when it comes to locals being found with loading firearms. Court quick to give them bail even though they are out on bail previous serious offenses. It is a pity .are they serious in fighting crime? You never feel the effect of a crime till it reaches to your doorstep. The justice system is making a mockery with the people’s safety.
Don’t forget by the time this bulls++t goes to court 2-3 years from now, the prosecution will have lost all the paperwork and free he goes. Anyone wanna bet me?
Clearly you don’t know a local name when you see one. Just another opportunity to go lacla bashing.
C**t D**P and BLMBVI going to get all charges dropped and out of there in no time. They will claim he’s a youth and just misguided like them.
Ok so it’s obvious that this guy is a robber man. Let’s hope RVIPF got enough skills to find out and charge him with all the crimes he has committed.
Rruption in magistrates court? It’s not possible to determine someone who is prepared to cut ravel with firearms, in a porous country full of inexplicably obtained expensive fastboats is not a flight risk. These magistrates are making a mockery of law and order
Unbelievable!
He should not have been given bail, nothing to do with being a flight risk. He had a damn gun plus other implements to commit a crime!
Why does this story not mention questioning his “cousin”? Have the police not done so?
Oh yea u were on ur way VG to create havoc.Now ur out on bail tks.to waste court system .U can still carry out ur intention within ur release.I don’t know u fella but advise don’t come knocking on any of my doors.Our courts need to get serious with these hooligans
Tell me where dose a 19 year old get $50,000 for bail. Lock him up and throw the keys away.
Two families robbed at gun point and he gets bail?
robbed two families at gun point…heading out for more and he gets bail???
There should be minimum mandatory custodial sentences for persons convicted for possession of illegal firearms. Where’s your push Commissioner of police, Deputy Commissioner?