By Breaking Belize News Staff: Interim Minister of Home Affairs Julius Espat has reportedly directed police to arrest the son of a government minister following allegations that he assaulted a police officer and damaged a police mobile in Placencia.
The man has been identified to Breaking Belize News as Stoney Ferguson, the son of Stann Creek West Area Representative and Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries Rodwell Ferguson. Previous public reporting has also identified Stoney as Minister Ferguson’s son.
Channel 7 News reported that the incident unfolded at around 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, while police officers were conducting a vehicle checkpoint at Mile 22 on the Placencia Main Road, near Mariposa Resort.
According to the report, a white cargo truck approached the checkpoint without licence plates, and the driver was allegedly not wearing a seatbelt. When a police corporal instructed the driver to pull over so that he could be issued with traffic tickets, the driver reportedly became verbally abusive and drove away.
Police pursued the vehicle to Crimson Two Drive, where the driver was reportedly found standing beside the truck. He was informed of the alleged traffic violations and cautioned, but police claim he continued behaving aggressively, refused to cooperate and pushed a corporal. Officers subsequently informed him that he was under arrest for allegedly assaulting a police officer and resisting lawful arrest.
The man was subdued and taken to the Placencia Police Station. Channel 7 reported that after his handcuffs were removed, he allegedly picked up a large stone and threw it at the corporal.
The stone reportedly missed the officer but struck a police patrol vehicle, damaging its front and rear windshields. The suspect allegedly attempted to throw another stone before officers subdued him again.
Despite the allegations, Channel 7 reported that the suspect was subsequently released without being charged after telephone calls were made. Police in Placencia were reportedly searching for him on Thursday.
Information obtained by BBN indicates that Espat has now directed that Ferguson be arrested and that the matter be handled strictly according to law. Espat reportedly instructed that police officers “must always act lawfully and be guided by the law, not by political considerations.”
Espat has been serving as acting Minister of Home Affairs since June 22, following the decision to place Minister Oscar Mira on leave.
At the time of publication, the Belize Police Department had not issued a public statement confirming Ferguson’s arrest or detailing the charges he may face.
The allegations against Ferguson have not yet been tested before a court, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The post Police seeking to arrest Stoney Ferguson on direction from Police Minister: ‘No-one above the law’ appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Interim Minister of Home Affairs Julius Espat has reportedly directed police to arrest the son of a government minister following allegations that he assaulted a police officer and damaged a police mobile in Placencia. The man has been identified to Breaking Belize News as Stoney Ferguson, the son of Stann
The post Police seeking to arrest Stoney Ferguson on direction from Police Minister: ‘No-one above the law’ appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
