By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Mahogany Street “dalla van” taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl broke down in tears like a baby in court on Tuesday, shocking the Senior Magistrate when he suddenly spoke fluent English after previously insisting he needed a translator.
Wenseslao Garrido-Veilz, 43, a Guatemalan national with Belize residency, was arraigned on a single count of sexual assault. Allegations are that on November 22, 2025, along the George Price Highway, he intentionally touched a minor’s leg and vagina — acts deemed sexual in nature.
During his arraignment, Garrido-Veilz responded in Spanish, “No culpable” (not guilty), and was provided with a translator. The police prosecutor immediately objected to bail, arguing that because he is a foreign national, he was a flight risk who could abscond if released.
When asked why bail should be granted, Garrido-Veilz told the court—through the translator—that he would not flee because he has three Belizean sons, a wife, and a mother depending on him. He also claimed he owns no passport and only has a Belize driver’s license.
Despite the objection, the Senior Magistrate granted bail with strict conditions, setting it at $5,000 plus two Belizean sureties of $2,500 each.
Under the bail terms, Garrido-Veilz: cannot apply for any travel documents without court permission; cannot leave Belize; must not contact the minor or her family in any way; must stay at least 200 yards away from the virtual complainant; must report every Friday to the Mahogany Street Police Sub-Formation; must remain living on Mahogany Street and inform the court before any move; and must not be arrested or charged with any offense while on bail.
But the most surprising moment came when he realized bail was being granted. Garrido-Veilz suddenly cried out loudly in English:
“Thank You God. I neva touch dah young lady…” leaving the Senior Magistrate visibly stunned, as the court had been led to believe he spoke no English at all.
Garrido-Veilz met bail and is scheduled to return to court on January 13, 2026.
According to police, the minor reported that she boarded a grey dollar van near New 2 U on Cemetery Road on Saturday afternoon. She told officers that after all other passengers exited, the driver took her to a feeder road between miles 2 and 3 on the George Price Highway near Cisco and touched her inappropriately.
A medical exam at the KHMH certified her injuries as harm. Following the investigation, police arrested and charged Garrido-Veilz with sexual assault.
The post Dalla Van driver accused of touching 15-year-old girl in his van stuns Magistrate after pretending not to speak English then bawling out in broad Kriol when granted bail and crying like a baby appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Mahogany Street “dalla van” taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl broke down in tears like a baby in court on Tuesday, shocking the Senior Magistrate when he suddenly spoke fluent English after previously insisting he needed a translator. Wenseslao Garrido-Veilz, 43, a Guatemalan national with Belize
The post Dalla Van driver accused of touching 15-year-old girl in his van stuns Magistrate after pretending not to speak English then bawling out in broad Kriol when granted bail and crying like a baby appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
