News
Fanny Pack, Hurricane Damage and a possible Set Up lead to Not Guilty in Gun Trial
By Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Reporter
#TurksandCaicos, July 27, 2023 – A hurricane damaged set of doors, a lack of DNA evidence and a concealing fanny pack seemed to convince a jury of seven that a young man held for gun and ammunition may have been set up for the crime; his defence attorney poking holes in the case of the Police and Prosecutor to secure a not guilty verdict.
A serious firearms trial was scheduled for a July 10, 2023 start at the Grand Turk Supreme Court and it did, lasting
some seven days, the jury returned a not guilty verdict for the man accused of illegal possession.
A jury comprising three men and four women reached a unanimous verdict for the now 20-years-old, JAVAUGHN EDWARD FORBES, who claimed he was set up and did not own the gun or ammunition in question.
Representing the Crown was Principal Public Prosecutor, Clement Joseph, along with public prosecutor Tassja Mitchell. Senior defense attorney, Noel Skippings represented the now acquitted defendant.
The allegations date back to October 1, 2021; the accused was freed on bail pending the trial.
During the trial, the jury heard that on the date in question the police armed with a search warrant came and executed a search for firearm at the home of JAVAUGHN FORBES on prison road, Grand Turk. He was living with his adopted mother and her young daughter.
They specifically told them they came to search for a firearm. They began their search and on the floor they allegedly found a box with a firearm and with four rounds of ammunition inside the box. The accused was in handcuffs. He told the officers he did not know anything about it. One officer said the box was in plain sight, but on the cross examination by defense counsel Skippings, it was established through Sergeant Shervin Adams that ‘the box’ could have been either hidden by clothes or partly hidden by clothes.
They then took the accused and he was charged with keeping a firearm and keeping ammunition, contrary to Section 3 Subsection (1) of the Firearms Ordinance at the time, as then it carried a mandatory minimum of seven years imprisonment.
It came out in the trial that the door to house was not able to be locked and that Forbes’ room had no door. It was explained that the recent and last hurricane had damaged the doors, so he had no door, just an opening.
The police confirmed that there was no door to Forbes’ room, but could not confirm if the outside door to the house could not be locked.
The police evidence in the trial was that they were acting on information received. Someone tipped them off and told them a firearm was in the house.
The defense’s case was that Forbes could have been set up. It was explained to the jury that the police informant told them exactly where to go because and the sergeant testified that indeed they went directly to the room of the young man.
Other officers had testified that they searched all of the rooms, but the sergeant’s testimony was ‘they only search his room,’
Defence Counsel Contentions were:
- The outside door wasn’t locked, so anybody could have entered the house.
- Young Forbes left out early in the morning to take his horses for the tourists when ships arrived.
- His mother worked and left the house from around 8:15am about 5:00pm is when she returned from work. So anybody could have entered the house.
- His room had no door, anybody could have entered his room as he would be out all day sometimes. His mother would be out just about all day too. Anybody could have entered the house.
The defense argued that, his client had no knowledge that a gun was in the home. It was said the weapon was in a fanny pack, the fanny pack was there and the gun and ammo were inside of it, according to the police evidence in the trial.
Police had hoped a sentimental link to the murdered cousin of the accused would be compelling enough evidence, however, it was made out to be frivolous by the defence counsel.
At the trial, it was explained that on the fanny pack was a button of the accused’s late cousin, Lloydel “LJ” Swann, who died August 10th, 2019 from gunshot wounds. The police tried to use that to say well, because the button is on the fanny pack, he had to know what’s in the fanny pack.
However, counsel for the defendant said ‘no, anybody could have put that button on there.’
His mother in the house or the daughter or somebody from the outside could have put that button on the fanny pack in order to incriminate his client; for Skippings, this fact was not strong enough to put a young man away for seven years on a gun charge.
Police, during the trial also testified that DNA evidence was collected in the case, but when the attorney sought the results of the test, there was none said Police, as the forensic information was not sent out – since October 2021 – for analysis.
The jury spent a couple of hours in deliberation of the evidence presented; all seven returned and agreed that JAVAUGHN EDWARD FORBES was not guilty.
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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