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Wrong Information! Tourist shares ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ to escape 12 Years for Gun and Ammo

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Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

 

Unusual Proceeding

#TurksandCaicos, August 14, 2023 – Alex Nash, the 36-year-old American man who last Friday appeared before The Hon. Justice Chris Selochan with intention to plead guilty to an alleged firearm and ammunition found in his possession while leaving the country on July 17th 2023, at the Providenciale/Howard Hamilton International Airport, Turks and Caicos Islands.  However, before being arraigned and pleading guilty, the learned the judge in a practice that is not customarily seen in the Turks and Caicos, begun by asking the accused a few questions directly and not through his lawyer.

He asked him about being advised concerning the matter he intends to plead to. He asked him about his awareness regarding the consequences of the matter he intends to plead. Do you understand the possible punishment you can receive as it relates to these offenses? The accused answered yes to all questions, he was advised by his attorney Ms. Sheena Mair. “He knows the consequence and he accepts responsibility and he’s doing this on his own free will.”

Pleading Guilty

The judge then went on to have the charges read to him. Nash pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and illegal possession of 20 rounds of ammunition for a gray and black TP 9mm firearm and 20 rounds of ammunition for that firearm.

Exceptional Circumstance

Having pleaded guilty, the judge invited Sheena Mair, Nash’s Human Rights attorney to go straight into her submission. She did and had filed a written submission pertaining to exceptional circumstances.

Ms. Mair proceeded to explain to the judge what amount to “exceptional circumstances” in this case to enable him to depart from the mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years imprisonment for the visiting tourist.

One of the judge’s main expressed concerns were, that, it was legal for her client to have a firearm in his house in the state of Kentucky but if he was moving the firearm, he was supposed to have some sort of permit or permission to you to carry it.

It was mentioned that Alec Nash did not have this permit or permission, but the defendant explained to the judge through his counsel, that he would only need that permit or permission if he was carrying it on him, in his pocket, pants or on a holster but not to carry it from one spot to the next.

It was explained it had to be in a locked box with the magazine outside the gun. This is how it was transported from his house through the airport to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The firearm was properly secured in a locked box.

Ms. Mair explained to the judge that her client was told, when he contacted the airlines that he could travel to the TCI with his gun. They further told him when he reached the Turks and Caicos Islands there will become a special area for him to pick up this gun. He checked when he arrived in TCI. He inquired of the agents here in TCI on where he can pick up his firearm that’s in his luggage. The agents told him all luggage were on the belt, so he then proceeded to the belt and found his luggage there, picked it up and proceeded to the hotel at Rock House where he lived along with his girlfriend.

Ms. Mair told the court that he has no previous conviction in the United States. He did not try to conceal the firearm when travelling to the Turks and Caicos nor on his departure, he made inquiries and was given wrong information.

Ms. Mair submitted a number of case s in support of why the judge should find that there are ‘exceptional circumstances’ to depart from the mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years imprisonment including three local case authorities, two of them being very recent as of this year.

Precedent Set

One from November of 2019 where the then Hon. Chief Justice Mrs. Margaret Ramsey-Hale sentenced a 73 years old retired, disabled, decorated American war veteran, who served as a Navy Seal to $20,000 or one year imprisonment.

The defendant, Aloysius Ebner who was injured in combat, ran his boat aground near an uninhibited Cay namely Big Sand Cay close Salt Cay. He had a number of guns and ammunition in his boat until he admitted to disposing about some seven rifles in deep water when he realized his boat was having problems.  A cache of seven pistols, a shotgun and 8,000 rounds of ammunition were confiscated.

The man was heading back home to the US from the Dominican Republic; he did no jail time in the Turks and Caicos for the major offence which at the time carried a mandatory 7-year prison term.

In a second case, from March 2023, David Carrol O’Connor was found with 44 rounds of ammunition at the Providenciales International Airport, and he entered a guilty plea around two months later.  Justice Tayna Lobban Jackson sentenced him on May 16 to a fine of $6,670.00 or 90 days imprisonment.

Again, no jail time for the visitor to the British overseas territory, despite strict gun laws and high gun crime.

In the case of Alex Guzman, he was found with a firearm and ammunition once again at the airport in Providenciales.  Guzman also pleaded guilty before same judge Jackson on June 2, 2023, and was sentenced on three days later to a fine of $3,500.00 or 60 days imprisonment.

About the Defendant

Counsel for Alec Nash submitted that he had been a legal gun owner in his native USA for 2 to 3 years that he has never had to use it.  It was also expressed that Nash lost his sister to gun violence, and his brother was a survivor of a gun attack. These incidents were cited as the reasons Nash felt the need to get a gun.

It was also presented by the attorney, that Nash lived at the Rock House with the firearm from July 13-17, 2023.  The firearm was kept in a safe whilst living there.

The court also learned Alec Nash is a father of three and legally separated from his wife and that he is responsible for half their maintenance.

Why Alec Nash must Go to Jail

The learned judge Mr. Chris Selochan in hearing the submissions by Principal Public Prosecutor Clement Joseph as he explained in the court this past Friday August 11, 2023, that there are no exceptional circumstances and that all persons charge with firearms and ammo must do jail time.

He said, a gun license in the United States is not exceptional circumstances because it is illegal to possess an unregistered firearm in the TCI.

Joseph said there’s nothing exceptional about these gun cases involving tourists any longer, it’s becoming a norm and everyone saying the same thing. There’s nothing exceptional about these cases any more they must go to prison.

The public prosecutor reminded the judge of the disparity of treatment between a local found with an illegal gun and a tourist found with the same.

Joseph said when locals are found with a firearm, they hardly ever get bail and we imprisoned them for whatever the mandatory minimum is, be it five years, seven years and now 12 years imprisonment.

The same must apply to all individuals found offending no matter the circumstances or where they come from. They must go to jail too.

In the end, the learned Justice found that Sheena Mair made a good and convincing case of exceptional circumstances and he accepted that there were exceptional circumstances to enable him to depart from the mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years.

The judge pointed out that with two very recent cases where a lesser sentence was conveyed upon the defendant, it would be unfair and unjust to treat this defendant any differently.

He therefore sentenced ALEC NASH to a fine of $5,000.00 or 60 days imprisonment. The fine was paid, and Nash has since left the country.

News

Beaches Turks and Caicos Showcases and Supports Local Creativity

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September 12, 2025                                                                                

 

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islands are home to a wealth of creativity, from artisans and craft vendors to musicians and performers. Beaches Turks and Caicos, the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive family resort, has pledged its continued support for these individuals by providing meaningful platforms for them to share their skills and stories with guests from around the world.

The resort’s commitment is most evident in its weekly Cultural Night showcase, where visitors are immersed in the vibrant traditions of the islands. Guests enjoy live performances which feature local music genres such as ripsaw, while artisans display and sell handmade creations. This event not only enriches the guest experience but also strengthens economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

Entertainment Division Manager Garett Bailey emphasized the significance of Cultural Night, “we want to showcase everything the Turks and Caicos Islands culture has to offer. Our goal is for guests to leave with a deeper appreciation of the island’s art, music and traditions, while giving local talent the opportunity to share their creativity with visitors from across the globe.”

Beyond Cultural Night, Beaches Turks and Caicos also welcomes local craft vendors onto the resort every Wednesday and Friday where they are offered a direct space to market their goods. Guests have easy access to the Turks and Caicos Cultural Marketplace, where they can purchase authentic local arts and crafts.

Managing Director, James McAnally, highlighted how these initiatives reflect the resort’s broader mission, “we are committed to celebrating and sharing the vibrant culture of these islands with our guests. By showcasing local artistry and music, we not only provide entertainment but also help sustain and grow the creative industries of the Turks and Caicos Islands. From our cultural showcases to nightly live music, we are proud to create authentic connections between our guests and the people of these islands.”

Local musician Keon Hall, who frequently performs at the resort, expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership, “being able to share my music with Beaches’ guests has created lasting relationships. Some visitors return year after year and request songs from previous performances. This partnership continues to celebrate what we do and strengthens the bond between local artists and the resort.”

The resort’s support of local artisans and entertainers extends beyond business opportunity; it is about preserving heritage and sharing stories. Guests take home more than souvenirs; they leave with experiences that deepen their understanding of Turks and Caicos’ culture and history.

Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan, noted the importance of this commitment, “for many visitors, these interactions represent their first genuine connection to the Turks and Caicos Islands. From artisans and musicians to farmers and transport operators, our local talent helps shape every guest experience. At Beaches, we are proud to give them the stage to share their stories and their heritage.”

Beaches Turks & Caicos remains dedicated to developing cultural connections and supporting the artisans, musicians and entrepreneurs whose creativity makes the Turks and Caicos Islands unique. Each guest experience is an opportunity to celebrate and sustain the spirit of the islands.

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Caribbean News

“Barbecue” is Cooked! US Turns Over 11 Million Haitians into Potential Informants with $5 Million Bounty

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August 12, 2025

The United States just set fire to the underworld in Haiti — and this time, the smoke might finally flush out the man many call the most feared in the Caribbean.

On Tuesday, the U.S. government slapped a $5 million bounty on the head of Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, the ex-police officer turned gang boss accused of orchestrating massacres, torching neighborhoods, and strangling Haiti’s capital into chaos. This isn’t just a headline — it’s a full-blown game-changer.

That kind of cash — offered under the State Department’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program — is enough to turn the country’s entire population, more than 11 million people, into potential informants overnight. Add the millions in the Haitian diaspora, and Chérizier isn’t just wanted. He’s surrounded.

The Number That Changes Everything

Five million U.S. dollars today equals about 655 million Haitian Gourdes. In a country where many scrape by on less than $5 a day, that’s not just life-changing — it’s life-defining. It’s enough to rebuild homes, put generations through school, or buy a one-way ticket far from the gunfire.

In a place where trust is scarce and survival is everything, that figure is more than tempting — it’s irresistible. For Chérizier, it means every friend could be a future informant, and every loyalist might be calculating the cost of staying loyal.

‘We Will Find Them’ — Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney

Jeanine “Judge Jeanine” Pirro, the U.S. Attorney, set the tone with fire in her voice.                                                                                                                                          “This indictment is the first of its kind,” she announced. “Jimmy Chérizier, also known as ‘Barbecue,’ is a notorious gang leader from Haiti who has orchestrated and committed various acts of violence against Haitians, including the 2018 La Saline attack in which approximately 71 people were killed. He both planned and participated in that massacre.

“Anyone who is giving money to ‘Barbecue’ cannot say, ‘I didn’t know.’ They will be prosecuted, and we will find them. They are supporting an individual who is committing human rights abuses, and we will not look the other way.”

Pirro wasn’t just going after Chérizier. She was sending a warning to the Haitian diaspora accused of feeding his war chest from abroad: the days of claiming ignorance are over.

‘No Safe Haven’ — Darren Cox, FBI

Then came Darren Cox, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI, delivering the muscle of America’s most powerful investigative force.                                                                                                                                                                                                                “There is no safe haven for Chérizier and his network,” Cox declared. “We are closing every link, every cell.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Since January, he said, the FBI has arrested three Top Ten fugitives, taken more than 19,000 criminals off the streets, and seized thousands of tons of narcotics — enough to save millions of lives across the U.S.

The FBI’s Miami and Houston offices have already bagged one of Chérizier’s Viv Ansanm associates inside the United States without firing a shot. “These efforts are a deliberate and coordinated plan,” Cox said, “to protect our communities and confront escalating threats from terrorist organizations like Viv Ansanm.”

‘Three-Year Investigation’ — Ivan Arvelo, HSI

Ivan Arvelo, Assistant Director of Homeland Security Investigations, brought the receipts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    “This is the result of a three-year investigation into Chérizier’s procurement networks, cash pipelines, and operational financing that violates sanctions,” he explained.                                                                                                                                                     Arvelo described 400 structures destroyed, entire communities erased, and a gang exploiting U.S. dollars, technology, and immigration loopholes to keep its killing machine running. “We tracked how Americans unwittingly bankrolled brutality,” he said — proof that the net is tightening both inside Haiti and abroad.

‘The Worst of the Worst’ — Chris Lambert, State Department

Chris Lambert, representing the State Department’s International Affairs division, gave the political bottom line.

“Mass violence in Haiti must end,” Lambert said. “The instability resulting from Chérizier’s actions fuels illegal migration, regional instability, and transnational crime. We will continue to apply every tool available — including our rewards programs — to stop the spread of unchecked violence, especially to target the worst of the worst criminal leaders threatening the people of our hemisphere.”

Lambert confirmed what many have long known: Chérizier is not just a gang leader. He commands Viv Ansanm, officially designated in May as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. In the eyes of the U.S., that makes him not just Haiti’s problem — but everyone’s.

Why Haitians May Not Resist

In Haiti, money talks — loudly. And when you put 655 million Gourdes on the table, it shouts.

That’s the kind of figure that turns casual acquaintances into informants and makes even the most hardened loyalist wonder if the payout is worth more than the risk. It’s not a matter of “if” word gets out, it’s a matter of “who will be first to collect.”

For grieving families, it’s a chance at justice. For the desperate, it’s a chance at survival. For Haiti as a whole, it’s hope — wrapped in the most dangerous of temptations.

An Answer to Prayers

For years, Haiti’s headlines have been a scroll of horrors — kidnappings, executions, burned neighborhoods, bodies in the streets. Chérizier’s name has been attached to too many of them.

This move by the U.S. isn’t just strategy. It’s personal. It’s a signal to every Haitian — at home or abroad — that the days of impunity could be ending.

I’ll admit it: when I heard the news, I danced, I sang, and I nearly cried. Not because $5 million is a lot of money, but because of what it means — the possibility, at last, of stopping the man accused of helping turn Haiti into hell on earth.

Four officials, four angles, one mission: Pirro’s fire, Cox’s grit, Arvelo’s precision, Lambert’s conviction. Together, they’ve put the heat on “Barbecue” like never before.

BBQ is cooked. The only question now is: which one of over 11 million potential informants will serve him up?

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Africa

What If Caribbean Dollars Flowed to Africa? A Trade Revolution Within Reach

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By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

What would happen if the Caribbean started spending more with Africa?

That question is no longer hypothetical. It’s the vision behind a growing movement that sees the Caribbean not just as a neighbor of the Americas, but as a key partner in the rise of a “Global Africa.” With shared history, deep cultural ties, and emerging trade frameworks, experts say the potential is enormous—if the will to act finally matches the passion of the speeches.

Billions on the Table

Today, trade between Africa and the Caribbean sits at just over US $729 million annually. But the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Afreximbank project that number could balloon to US $1.8 billion per year by 2028—more than doubling in just a few years.

This boost is expected to come not just from commodities, but increasingly from services, particularly in transport, travel, food exports, and creative industries. Two-thirds of that growth, according to analysts, could come from services alone—sectors where the Caribbean is eager to expand. (afreximbank.com).

Meanwhile, Africa’s consumer and business spending is forecasted to skyrocket to US $6.66 trillion by 2030, driven by a population boom and rising middle class.

The Case for a New Trade Axis

The Caribbean imports 80% of its food, but many of those goods can be sourced from African markets. What we offer in return? World-class logistics, tourism know-how, financial services, and proximity to the U.S. market. It’s a natural fit—one that is currently underdeveloped.

The recent call by Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell for a “Global Africa Commission” underscores this urgency. He urged stakeholders at the Afreximbank Trade Expo to stop the cycle of empty talk and get to work: building shipping routes, finalizing trade agreements, and boosting knowledge of what each region actually has to offer.

“We will not leave here with another communiqué,” Mitchell continued. “We will leave here with a commitment to act, to build together, to trade together, to succeed together and rise together.”                                                                                                                                                                                                   The statement underscored a central theme of the summit — that both Africa and the Caribbean can no longer afford to admire the idea of unity; they must operationalize it.Pilot platforms like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) are already simplifying how cross-border payments work between African countries—and could extend to Caribbean partners. The system removes the need for U.S. dollars in trade between African nations, creating space for sovereign empowerment.

What’s the Hold-Up?

Let’s be blunt: political will, slow bureaucracies, and lack of coordination are stalling real action. Despite a decade of “Africa–Caribbean unity” talk, less than 3% of CARICOM trade currently involves the African continent. That fact continues to undermine these brave speeches and ambitious notions.

Where Caribbean Consumers Fit In

Caribbean consumers—especially the younger, tech-savvy generation—are already looking for affordable, ethical, and culturally relevant goods. African markets offer exactly that. Redirecting even a fraction of spending toward African-made clothing, beauty products, tech tools, or agro-processed foods could start a real trade revolution.

Bottom Line

If the political leaders won’t build the bridge fast enough, maybe Caribbean consumers will. The money is there. The interest is rising. Now it’s time to turn the “Global Africa” vision into a real economic shift—one shopping cart at a time.

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