Deputy PM urges the public to turn in Billy MacFarland if seen in The Bahamas

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#TheBahamas, November 16, 2022 – Billy McFarland, organizer of the troubling and disastrous Fyre Festival is a wanted man in The Bahamas, and anyone spotting the American is asked to report his whereabouts to the Royal Bahamas Police.

The Minister of Tourism for the Bahamas, Chester Cooper, has advised the Bahamian public that no application has been made to the government for consideration of any event promoted by Billy McFarland or any entity or parties known to be associated with him.

McFarland was one of the organizers of the infamous Fyre Festival of 2017 that left hundreds of attendees stranded on a private island in the Bahamas with minimal food and housing.  McFarland was convicted and sent to prison in the USA for six years.  However, he was released earlier this year after serving four years of his sentence.

In a statement Monday, November 14, Cooper made it clear that the government will not allow any event to be held in The Bahamas by McFarland, and urged the public to report him to the police if they are aware of his whereabouts.

“The Government of The Bahamas will not endorse or approve any event in The Bahamas associated with him.  He is considered to be a fugitive, with several pending complaints made against him with the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF).

“Anyone knowing of his whereabouts should report same to the RBPF,” Cooper said.

Copper’s statement comes after US news and McFarland have been making waves with the launch of a new venture, a treasure hunt to be held in The Bahamas.

According to Deadline, the new venture, PYRT, will be the subject of an upcoming documentary titled, “After the Fyre.”

The event will see McFarland leading a treasure hunt which begins with participants tracking down one of 99 bottles with a message contained inside.