***MEDIA RELEASE***
Turks and Caicos, November 27, 2024 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) acknowledges the conclusion of the Supreme Court trial of Rex v. Andre DeSouza, which resulted in convictions and sentencing for three serious offences.
At yesterday’s (November 26th) sentencing hearing, the court imposed the following penalties on
Mr DeSouza, a Jamaican national, also called “Killy Killy”:
- Carrying Firearm – Seven (7) years imprisonment
- Carrying Ammunition – Seven (7) years imprisonment
Overstaying Leave to Remain in the TCI – Two (2) months’ imprisosonment
The sentences will run concurrently. Additionally, a deportation order will be enforced upon the completion of his sentence.
The convictions stem from an incident on September 21, 2022, during a police investigation in the Lofton Morley area where Mr DeSouza attempted to evade officers and brandished a firearm.
A loaded Taurus Millennium G2 9mm pistol with its serial number erased, along with ammunition, was recovered.
Superintendent (Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection and Intelligence) Dean Holden expressed gratitude for the professionalism and dedication of the officers involved in this case’s investigation, arrest, and prosecution.
Superintendent Holden said, “The sentencing of Andre DeSouza underscores the RTCIPF’s unwavering commitment to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of our community. I commend the diligence and bravery of the officers involved in this case. Their efforts continue to demonstrate the high standards of service and dedication within the RTCIPF.
“The sentence ordered by the court in this case is the maximum sentence under the Firearms Ordinance that was in force when the offence was committed in September 2022. In October 2022, the Ordinance was amended with an increase in sentencing powers to 12 years imprisonment; however, as this offence was committed earlier than that, the court had to refer to the previous ordinance and the lesser sentencing power.”
Anyone with information on illegal activities is asked to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide information anonymously.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.