Posted: Friday, January 17, 2025. 11:18 am CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Curtis Frank Rhaburn, a 50-year-old assistant cook and farmer, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to firearm and ammunition charges. Rhaburn, the common-law partner of Telesfora Agnes Arana, 61, better known as “Thelma” of Thelma’s Kitchen, also faced a $1,200 fine for possession of 112 grams of marijuana with intent to supply.
The convictions stemmed from a police raid on January 14, 2025, at Thelma’s Kitchen, located at the corner of Kraal Road and Caesar Ridge Road in Belize City. Acting on reports of gunshots fired from the residence, police conducted a search and discovered a chrome 9mm pistol with eight live rounds of ammunition and a parcel of marijuana hidden inside a refrigerator. Rhaburn admitted to borrowing the firearm from a friend, citing his need for protection as a farmer, despite lacking a gun license.
In court, Rhaburn expressed deep remorse for his actions, stating, “I am sorry about this. I never meant to put anyone in this trouble.” A character witness, Brenton Lopez, described Rhaburn as a hardworking and family-oriented man. However, the magistrate emphasized the severity of firearm offenses, noting that a non-custodial sentence was not appropriate despite Rhaburn’s clean record and early guilty plea.
Rhaburn’s attorney, Orson “OJ” Elrington, has filed an appeal challenging the one-year sentence, arguing that it is harsh for a first-time offender. Elrington is seeking a stay of the sentence and bail for Rhaburn while the appeal is pending. The court has granted Elrington one week to submit the necessary application.
As a result of Rhaburn’s guilty plea, the charges against Arana were dropped, and she was released. Rhaburn’s sentences for the firearm and ammunition charges will run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of one year. If he fails to pay the $1,200 fine for the marijuana conviction, an additional four-month sentence will also run concurrently.
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The post Belize City cook sentenced to one year for firearm and ammunition offenses; attorney files appeal appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Friday, January 17, 2025. 11:18 am CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: Curtis Frank Rhaburn, a 50-year-old assistant cook and farmer, was sentenced to one
The post Belize City cook sentenced to one year for firearm and ammunition offenses; attorney files appeal appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.