By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 19-year-old deckhand from Independence Village has been remanded to prison after being charged with the rape of an American tourist in Placencia.
Devan Paul Thomas appeared unrepresented before Senior Magistrate Mannon Dennison in the Independence Magistrate’s Court, where he was read a single charge of rape. No plea was taken, and bail was denied following strong objection from the prosecution on the grounds of public interest. Thomas was remanded to the Belize Central Prison and is scheduled to return to court on June 29, 2026, for disclosure.
According to police reports, the complainant, a 28-year-old American national from Colorado, reported that the incident occurred late on Friday, April 24, 2026. She told authorities that she had been socializing earlier that night at Barefoot Restaurant & Bar with a male individual she met during a daytime tour.
The woman stated that the individual offered to escort her back to her room at a beach resort. While walking through a dark beachside alley behind a nightclub in Placencia Village, she reported being suddenly pushed to the ground. She alleged that the man then got on top of her, choked her, and removed her clothing. She further stated that she lost consciousness during the assault and, upon regaining consciousness, realized she was being raped.
A medical examination later confirmed that she had been carnally known, and injuries to her body and perineal area were classified as wounding.
Thomas was detained following the report and subsequently charged. Police investigations into the matter are ongoing.
The post 19-year-old Independence man remanded for allegedly raping American tourist in Placencia alley behind club appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 19-year-old deckhand from Independence Village has been remanded to prison after being charged with the rape of an American tourist in Placencia. Devan Paul Thomas appeared unrepresented before Senior Magistrate Mannon Dennison in the Independence Magistrate’s Court, where he was read a single charge of rape. No plea was
The post 19-year-old Independence man remanded for allegedly raping American tourist in Placencia alley behind club appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
