By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 20-year-old St. John’s College Junior College (SJCJC) student has been fined a total of $10,000 after pleading guilty to possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition discovered in the ceiling of a Belize City home.
Joseph Anthony Christopher Vernon appeared before a magistrate in Court #5 on Monday, November 9, alongside three females, including a 13-year-old minor, who were initially charged jointly with him.
Police reported that around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, officers searched a residence at the corner of Fabers Road and Avocado Lane, where they discovered a 9mm Glock pistol with a magazine containing 12 live rounds of ammunition concealed in the ceiling.
The residence belongs to 43-year-old Rachel Judith Ann Vernon, who was charged alongside Joseph, 24-year-old Julia Niecy Turton, and the minor.
During the arraignment, Joseph accepted responsibility for the firearm and ammunition and pleaded guilty to both charges. As a result, the prosecution withdrew the charges against the three females, allowing them to leave court.
In mitigation, Vernon expressed remorse, telling the court, “I made a mistake. I am a student. I see what my family is going through. I hope this mistake will not mess me up in my future criminology studies.”
The magistrate considered his early guilty plea and clean criminal record, opting to impose fines rather than an immediate custodial sentence. However, she warned that another conviction for a similar offense could result in imprisonment.
Vernon was fined $5,000 for keeping an unlicensed firearm and another $5,000 for keeping ammunition without a license.
He was ordered to pay $5,000 immediately, representing half of the total fines, with the remaining balance due by January 29, 2027.
Unable to make the initial payment, Vernon was escorted to the Belize Central Prison, where he will remain until the required payment is made.
He faces a default sentence of three years’ imprisonment on each count if the fines are not paid.
The post SJCJC student Joseph Vernon sent to prison after failing to pay half of $10,000 in fines for illegal firearm and ammunition that led to arrest of 3 females, including 13-year-old appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 20-year-old St. John’s College Junior College (SJCJC) student has been fined a total of $10,000 after pleading guilty to possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition discovered in the ceiling of a Belize City home. Joseph Anthony Christopher Vernon appeared before a magistrate in Court #5 on Monday, November 9,
The post SJCJC student Joseph Vernon sent to prison after failing to pay half of $10,000 in fines for illegal firearm and ammunition that led to arrest of 3 females, including 13-year-old appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.