By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 47-year-old Nicaraguan national who admitted to living in Belize illegally for more than a decade is tonight behind bars after being fined in court and unable to pay.
Teofilo Smith Nelson appeared unrepresented before the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where he pleaded guilty to failing to produce a visitor’s permit upon demand by an immigration officer. The offense falls under Belize’s immigration laws.
The court imposed a fine of $1,000 plus $5 in court costs, which Nelson was ordered to pay forthwith. In default of payment, he faces six months imprisonment. Unable to pay the fine, Nelson was remanded to the Belize Central Prison, where he is serving his sentence.
The case came to light on Thursday, March 26, when police detained Nelson for public drinking at the Pound Yard Bridge area. He was subsequently handed over to the Belize Immigration Department.
During an interview with immigration officials, Nelson reportedly admitted that he entered Belize illegally through Arenal Village in the Cayo District in December 2015 and had been residing in the country since without legal status.
Following his conviction, the Belize Immigration Department successfully applied for his deportation. Authorities indicated that Nelson will be expelled to Nicaragua after serving his sentence, or sooner if the fine is paid in full.
Tonight, his decade-long unlawful stay in Belize has come to an end as he awaits deportation proceedings.
The post Nicaraguan man living in Belize illegally for 10 years caught drinking in public; in jail awaiting deportation home appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 47-year-old Nicaraguan national who admitted to living in Belize illegally for more than a decade is tonight behind bars after being fined in court and unable to pay. Teofilo Smith Nelson appeared unrepresented before the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where he pleaded guilty to failing to produce
The post Nicaraguan man living in Belize illegally for 10 years caught drinking in public; in jail awaiting deportation home appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
