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Chris Forbes: TCIs worst criminal gets dramatic relocation to Maximum Security in the UK

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#TurksandCaicosIslands – January 13, 2021 – When Christopher Forbes recently took a Covid-19 PCR test, he likely thought the negative result gave him the all clear as being among those sickened by a coronavirus outbreak at the prison facility in Grand Turk.  Turns out it was also his all clear to be carted off in a carefully planned and flawlessly executed transfer not to another site in the tropical Caribbean, but to an impenetrable, maximum security facility for a man of his heinous criminal nature in the United Kingdom.

In a media statement the Governor, the Minister of Home Affairs and the Prison Superintendent opened up, ever so slightly about the shocking removal of infamous Forbes, who is a Turks and Caicos Islander but originally from Grand Bahama Island in The Bahamas.

“Today, Christopher Forbes a prisoner in HMP Grand Turk is being transferred to a prison in the UK.  This is where he will serve the remainder of his sentence.  He is being escorted by members of the Her Majesty Prison and Probation Service. On arrival, he will reside in a category A prison in England,” said David Bowden, Prison Superintendent.

PrisonPhone website published: There are eight category A prisons in the UK.  The facilities are high security prisons where the most dangerous and difficult to manage prisoners are kept.  These prisons hold some of the most notorious criminals in the UK, many of whom are serving life sentences. These prisons are designed to make escape impossible for the prisoners, and are commonly described as ‘high security’ or ‘maximum security’ establishments.

It is the second transfer of high maintenance inmates in recent months for the Turks and Caicos prison system under the new superintendent.  Residents seem relieved at the steady and sturdy push toward prison reform.

The Governor, His Excellency Nigel Dakin, stated, “the stability of Her Majesty’s Prison is a critical piece in our strategy towards safeguarding national security and we will continue to exercise all avenues available to us in order to accomplish our national goals and secure our institutions and our communities. I am grateful to the UK Government for their support in this matter.”  

Forbes, who is easily the worst felon in Turks and Caicos history was convicted of the brutal double homicides in 2016 of Yuneiry Veras in April and Sorineida Moreno Arias in July. Both women from the Dominican Republic were 26-years old when they met their deaths.  Both were sexually assaulted, beaten and brutalized and left partially clothed in remote areas of northwest Providenciales.

Search parties mobilised by the Dominican community found both victims.  The deaths incited protests which vociferously demanded an arrest by TCI Police.  The activism worked and in August 2016 Forbes was arrested. Found, living in plain sight at his girlfriend’s house in the residential community of Millennium Heights.

It was overwhelming DNA evidence which was the undoing of this cold-blooded, sloppy killer.  Christopher Forbes’ DNA was found under the finger nails, on clothing, a towel and in a condom left at the crime scene.  Due to the struggle for her life, genetic material of the killer was detected in the jewelry his last victim – Sorineida – a mother of two young children; the jury heard how she had peeled away Forbes’ skin which was found in her rings. 

Additionally, CCTV cameras captured Forbes’ vehicle picking up a victim in Five Cays. Phone records revealed Forbes was in contact with both women on the nights they went missing and were murdered and a boast, scribbled in the passport of the first victim – Yuneiry Veras – and found in the area of Sweet T’s restaurant was the final piece of the puzzle; police moved in and made the arrest.

In prison, Christopher Forbes was a menace and disturbingly, a jailhouse rock star. 

A string of prison violations for abuses against prison superintendents and deputy superintendents led to at least two convictions.  Forbes regularly made appearances on Facebook live, had his own stash of expensive liquors like Hennessy, a big screen television, gold jewelry, expensive sunglasses and appeared to be having a ball as a ‘baller’, high on marijuana while living a glamourous life in TCI prison and on the public’s dime.

Meanwhile the families and friends of Sorienda and Yuniery remain traumatized by the vicious killings, which were unprovoked and described by a juror as serial killings by a dangerous man who should spend the rest of his living years behind bars.

In 2020, an historic ruling by Justice Tanya Lobban-Jackson achieved that feat; Christopher Forbes received a double life sentence without any chance for parole.  Now around 38-years old, Christopher Forbes will have to settle into one of eight category A prisons in the United Kingdom. 

“I am most grateful to the transfer team from the UK.  I have also been very impressed by the inter-governmental departments, working very closely with the MoHA, to make this transfer as efficient as it was,” added Superintendent Bowden, who categorised Forbes as a high risk inmate who posed a great risk to the development of HMP Prison as a safe, secure and rehabilitative institution.

The transfer of the prisoner was approved by UK Ministers, as permissible under UK legislation, and supported by the Governor and Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands.  

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Kew Town Man gets a Year in Prison for 2024 Burglary of a business

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Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) remains committed to ensuring
justice and enhancing public safety.

On January 30, 2025, JERMAINE WELCH, 26, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to TWO COUNTS of BURGLARY for offences committed in 2024.

The court heard that on December 1, 2024, a business establishment on Airport Road, Providenciales, was secured by its owner. Upon returning the next day (December 2), the owner discovered that the premises had been broken into and burglarized. CCTV footage from the establishment identified Mr. Welch as the perpetrator.

A similar incident occurred on December 6, 2024, when another business owner secured their establishment, only to return on December 7 and find it had also been burglarized. CCTV footage from this location also identified Mr. Welch as the culprit.

Following a thorough investigation, Mr. Welch was arrested on December 11, 2024, and subsequently charged.

Acting Superintendent Grantly Williams, Head of Serious Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, emphasized the critical role of security systems in crime prevention.

“The use of CCTV footage significantly aided our officers in arresting and charging the accused. I strongly encourage businesses and homeowners to take proactive measures by installing reliable security systems.  If you already have one in place, please ensure it is regularly servicedmand fully operational. These systems assist in solving crimes and serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. Become a hard target by safeguarding yourself and your property.”

The RT&CIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information on illegal activities. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.

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Crime

Guilty Plea from Dock Yard Man arrested for Firearm, Ammo

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Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male pleaded guilty to four charges today (January 31) following a
robbery which occurred in 2024. JAMES SIMON is expected to be sentenced on April 03rd, 2025, having been convicted for the following offences:

  • One Count Possession of Firearm
  •  One Count Possession of Ammunition
  • One Count Robbery
  • One Count using a Firearm in the Commission of a Serious Offence

Based on the evidence presented before the court, Mr. Simon was arrested on May 02, 2024, along South Dock Road, where he was found with an illegal firearm.

Acting Superintendent in charge of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Grantley Williams said, “Given the prevalence of firearm-related incidents, the Force has successfully removed one more illegal firearm from our streets. I applaud my officers for their vigilance and
dedication to their duty. I urge the public to assist us by reporting illegal firearms—if you have any information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Please contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or you can also anonymously share information via the Crime Stoppers P3 app. Together, we can make the Turks and Caicos Islands safer.”

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PUBLICATION OF THE 2025/2026 ELECTORS LIST

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islanders will be given the opportunity to view the 2025/2026 Electors List from today February 1st, 2025.  Supervisor of Elections Lister Dudley Lewis will post the Electors List of voters to seventy-three (73) locations across the Turks and Caicos Islands. (It is important to remind the public that they would have had to be registered by November 30th 2023 to be eligible to vote in the February 7th 2025 General Election.)

After publication of the Electors List, Registered voters will have fourteen (14) days to scrutinize it and make any claims or objections.  Electors can make claims on their own or on behalf of others, as set out in Form 5  of the Elections Ordinance similarly, objections can be made as set out in Form 6.

An Elector who is off Island for the next two (2) weeks may appoint an agent to act on his/her behalf as set out in Form 7.  The Agent must produce a sworn affidavit that he/she are acting on the Claimant’s behalf.

Claims and Objections can be submitted to the Elections Office on Pond Street Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office Caribbean Place Leeward Highway and District Commissioner’s Officers or by e-mail to electionsdept@gov.tc

The Electors List will be available for viewing in the ten (10) Electoral Districts and elections Web page from today https://gov.tc/elections/

All Forms can be obtained from the Elections Office Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office and District Commissioner’s Officers.

The Electors List can be viewed at the following locations:

See Full list here: Electors List 2025[19]

 

ED 1 – Grand Turk North                                           ED 2 – Grand Turk South & Salt Cay

Fulford’s Gas Station                                                  IGA Supermarket

Sunny Food Store (West Road)                                  Do-it-Centre

Durham’s Home Centre                                              Sunny Foods

John Missick Bar (West Road)                                   Grand Turk Library

Shop Rite Grocery Store                                             Grand Turk International Airport

Things Galore Store (Over Back)                               DC’s Office Salt Cay

A&H Hair Supply (Over Back)                                  Community Centre (Salt Cay)

Fishermen Paradise (Over Back)                                Grand Turk Liquors

Poop Deck Restaurant (Pond Street)                          Grace Bay Pharmacy (Church Folly)

 

ED 3 – South Caicos                                       ED 4 – Middle and North Caicos

Airport Terminal                                                         Dist. Commissioner’s Office Conch Bar

District Commissioner’s Office                                  Community Centre, Bambarra

Seaview Marina                                                          Government Clinic, Lorimers

Super value Supermarket                                            Dist. Commissioner’s Office Bottle Creek

G & H Enterprise                                                        Kevin’s Enterprise

Government Treasury                                                 Digicel Store Bottle Creek

Community Centre Kew

Community Centre Whitby

Community Centre Sandy Point

 

ED 5 – Leeward                                                          ED – 6 The Bight

Sand Castle Convenience Store                                  Ocean Club Convenience Store

TCI Ferry Service                                                       Ocean Club Convenience Store

IBO Store                                                                    Kathleen’s 7 – 11 Store

Rick’s Flamingo Café                                                 Rubis Grace Bay Petro Mart

Rubis Gas Station

Grace way Gourmet Supermarket

Rubis Gas Station Longbay

 

ED 7 – Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill                     ED – 8 Blue Hills

The Library                                                                 Keyse’s Variety Store

Grant’s Gas Station                                                     Publo Wash House

The Post Office                                                           Chicken Shack

Betty’s Store Kew Town                                            The African Store

Black’s Store Kew Town                                            Grace Variety Store

Chinson’s Grill Shack                                                 Lapel’s TCI Dry Cleaners

Discount Liquors                                                        G K Supermarket

Provo Discount Store                                                  Parker’s Variety Party Store

Building Material Do-It-Centre

Grace way IGA Supermarket

 

ED 9 – Five Cays                                                        ED 10 – Wheeland

Mackey’s Automotive                                                Froggies on the Beach

Kitch’s Restaurant                                                      Frank’s Store 4U

Hole in the Wall Restaurant                                       Red Zone Variety Store

Gilly’s Café International Airport

Shallende’s Auto Parts N Service

Walkin Service Station

Liz Bakery

Caicos Oil Mart

 

Lister Dudley Lewis

Supervisor of Elections

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