By Breaking Belize News Staff: Twenty-two-year-old reputed gang boss of the Backa Land Crips (BLC) Jahreem “32” Staine, accused of promoting gang-related activity, refused to change his plea to guilty today after the court informed him that the offense carries a potential five-year prison sentence and/or a fine of up to $20,000.
Staine, who appeared before Magistrate Mannon Dennison in Court #6, requested a sentencing indication as he contemplated entering a guilty plea to the charge of promoting a gang-related activity. The allegation is that Staine was seen in a photograph on August 8, 2025, displaying a Crips gang hand sign, which authorities say constitutes promoting gang activity under Section 3J(1) of the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act.
When Magistrate Dennison explained the sentencing range—including imprisonment, a substantial fine, or both—Staine immediately withdrew any consideration of a guilty plea. He maintained his not guilty stance and told the court he would “take his chance in a trial.”
His next court date has been set for January 13, 2026, when disclosure is expected.
Staine is no stranger to the court system. He currently faces multiple pending matters, including:
- Two counts of contempt of judicial order for alleged curfew and sign-in violations linked to his High Court bail conditions.
- An attempted murder case, in which he and co-accused Eric Frazer are charged with attempting to kill Jimmy Rojas, 28, during a shooting at Tibruce Street and Croton Lane on May 3, 2025.
Staine has survived two armed attacks on his life within the last few months. On September 5, 2025, gunmen reportedly lay-waited him outside the Magistrate’s Court and later opened fire on him near Buttonwood Bay Primary School. He escaped unhurt.
Twenty-nine days later, another group of gunmen ambushed him near Horizon Primary School as he returned from Ladyville, injuring two other men—but again, Staine was not hit.
He is currently out on High Court bail but is accused of violating conditions requiring him to sign in every Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Belama Police Station. Police say he failed to do so on September 5 and October 3, resulting in additional contempt charges.
With the sentencing indication rejected, Staine will now face a full trial on the gang-promotion charge in 2026. The court will revisit the matter on January 13, when the prosecution is expected to provide full disclosure.
The case forms part of Belize’s ongoing crackdown on gang-related conduct, including symbolic gestures such as hand signs that authorities argue fuel organized criminal activity.
The post ’32’ rejects court’s sentencing indication after hearing possible 5-year prison term for alleged gang activity appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Twenty-two-year-old reputed gang boss of the Backa Land Crips (BLC) Jahreem “32” Staine, accused of promoting gang-related activity, refused to change his plea to guilty today after the court informed him that the offense carries a potential five-year prison sentence and/or a fine of up to $20,000. Staine, who appeared
The post ’32’ rejects court’s sentencing indication after hearing possible 5-year prison term for alleged gang activity appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
