By Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

#TurksandCaicos, August 11, 2023 – It’s been many, many years since we’ve seen or heard of the Hon. Akierra Missick standing in the criminal court defending persons accused of crime, however on Wednesday August 9, 2023 that is precisely where she was and what she was doing for a duo facing drug charges.

The matter was called before the Hon. Chief Magistrate (CM) Mr. Jolyon Hatmin.  It was the first to be called on Tuesday August 9, 2023 among a list of other criminal cases.

The male resident of California, pleaded not guilty to all the charges read off to him by the learned Chief Magistrate and the female American plead guilty to all drug charges, namely possession of cannabis and illegal importation (fraudulent evasion being a Customs Department charge).

Principal Public Prosecutor Mr. Clement Joseph immediately after the pleas were entered and on record, invited the Court to dismiss or withdrew all charges against the visiting male and he was set free.

Joseph then further invited the Court to do the same for the visiting American female defendant but only on one charge, specifically: the possession with intent to supply the illegal drugs.

The case then proceeded against the American female alone.

Senior defense counsel was Missick, assisted by Ms. Keath Smith both from Misick and Stanbrook law firm and representing both accused tourists.

Principal Public Prosecutor M. Clement Joseph begun reading of the facts and told the Court that on Wednesday August 2nd, 2023, the local UPS Office observed an odor coming from a package in the name of the female defendant.  When law enforcement officers became involved, that team comprising of detectives from the Anti+Gang and Drug Unit along with Customs officers, they decided to set up a controlled delivery to the owner of the package.

The package was delivered to the address provided but the accused had already changed address.  She did however, leave a message and a phone number to be called if a package arrived there for her.  The call was made and she came, driven by the male tourist who was originally charged with her.  The package was delivered directly to her.  All this was being monitored and observed by the joint operational agents.

Mr. Clement Joseph further explained to the CM that moments after they drove off they were forced stopped by surrounding police and custom officials in mark and unmarked police vehicles.  The officers then proceeded to collect the package but found it already opened with some of it’s contents out on the back seats.  The package contained six tubes or vials with the illegal substance and another vacuum sealed package with more illegal drugs.

It was also revealed in court that on July 31 the defendant had another package which arrived in Providenciales, however this only contained labeled paraphernalia.  This was checked as it too carried suspicious drug odor but it was released for delivery.

The court was told these items arrived through Cairsea Services.

The operational bust or “sting” as described in a report from the Royal TCI Police, took place at Sand Castle Drive in Grace Bay Providenciales on August 4th, 2023.

Senior defense attorney attempted mitigation for her client and asked the CM to have mercy on her client, a very young woman who would one day like to become a defense attorney.  Misick said, her client had already begun her studies in the US.

The defence counsel further told the court her client sincerely apologizes and fully understands the seriousness of the offense.  Pointing out to the Court that her client has no criminal record in the United States nor any other part of the world.  It was adamantly expressed that ‘she is very, very sorry.’

Added to her expression of remorse was that this was her client’s second visit to TCI and has hopes of one day making the islands her second home.

The judge does have the prerogative to discharge the matter against the accused in order to keep her record clean of any criminal charges, however and notably, there was no reply to the beckoning from attorney Akierra Missick by the Chief Magistrate.

Having heard both sides, however, Judge Hatmin sentenced the defendant to a fine of $3000.00 or 120 days imprisonment forthwith.

The American female paid the fine and as expressed in the court, it is believed she and her male friend, immediately left the Turks and Caicos Islands following the proceedings.