BVI News

Two Venezuelans fined $1K for overstaying! To be deported

The two Venezuelans recently charged for overstaying have each been fined $1,000 and will be deported once the fines are paid.

Their matter was brought before Magistrate Christilyn Benjamin via a virtual hearing on Monday, October 5.

Fifty-nine-year-old Dannys Rodriguez Robles – a retired seaport security guard – and 54-year-old Emerais Lopez Leiva – an electrician – were slapped with the fine after pleading guilty to the offence. 

They were supposed to departure the territory before November 19, last year.

What the court heard happened

Presenting the facts of the case before Magistrate Benjamin was Crown Council Kael London.

He said both Robles and Leiva entered into the territory by plane in September 2019 where they stayed at Maria’s by the Sea hotel before relocating to Anderson Hill Estate on Tortola.

On Sunday, September 27, 2020, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force — who were acting on information of suspicious illegal activity at their residence — executed a number of warrants around 8 am where both Robles and Leiva were apprehended.

During a search of the premises, law enforcers discovered that neither of the accused were in possession of a passport. Under caution, both men indicated that their passports were stolen by a friend and they allegedly admitted that they had overstayed their landing permission.

They were subsequently arrested under suspicion of overstaying and taken to the Road Town Police Station.

Confirmed legal entry

Further investigations by the RVIPF in collaboration with immigration confirmed that both men had indeed entered the BVI legally, but showed that there was no extension for change of their Immigration status.

During a subsequent police interview, the accuse persons admitted to overstaying in the territory.

Argument by defense attorney for non-custodial sentence

With no previous convictions in Venezuela or the BVI, their attorney Leroy Jones asked the court not to impose a custodial sentence.

While noting that the offences were indeed serious, Jones said his clients had no intentions of wasting the court’s time as they cooperated with the relevant authorities and even admitted guilt at the earliest possible opportunity.

He further said both of his clients were very sorry for breaking the law and revealed to the court that travel arrangements were organised to have the two males deported back to Venezuela once a fine was paid.

He said that Robles is a father of three while Leiva is a husband and a father of 10.

Sentencing

In considering the attorney’s arguments, Magistrate Benjamin ordered the men to pay the fines forthwith.

If the fine is not paid, both men will serve two months in prison.

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5 Comments

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  1. Ooohhhh boiii says:

    2 months with shelter and food THEN what ???
    The Court system is —cked up

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  2. Hmmm says:

    So where they going find the fine monsy from. We will feed than $100,000.00 worth of food u til they pay us $1,000.00 cash and then give them a free charter home. An air ambulance charter from here to Miami is $10,000.00. I can’t guess what a charter to Venezuela cost. Meantime it have hungry and needy people in the country who don’t qualify for a $50.00 food voucher. Maybe it makes sense to someone else

    Like 6
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  3. Doh says:

    This is BVI everyone….

    We fine you for being here illegally. If you can’t pay, we jail you. Free room and board, then we deport you.

    Since all major airlines no longer fly to Venezuela, the multiple flights needed to repatriate this pair will cost over $10,000. Each. I’m not kidding,look it up on any airfare website.

    Brilliant, absolutely effin brilliant.

    Meanwhile our fellow citizens are broke, can’t pay rent or utilities, are close to begging for food, and the government doles out crap for unemployment and stimulus? Time for a change people.

    Like 6
    Dislike 3
  4. Venezuelans says:

    Part of organized local BVI drug crime syndicate – wonder why they can pay $1,000 without issue? Lookup what monthly salary is in Venezuela and you will know!

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