Bail for overseas medical doctor, three others on gun charges

An overseas medical doctor and another foreign national, who were among four persons charged with gun offences in January, were each granted $800,000 bail on Thursday.

The group, which includes one female, was arrested in January after police allegedly found a Glock 19 pistol with a magazine containing eleven 9mm rounds in a handbag inside a car they were traveling in along Princess Street in downtown Kingston.

On Thursday, 34-year-old Javid Johnson, a medical doctor from Mount Vernon, New York, and 22-year-old Antuan Latchman of London were granted bail in the Gun Court on charges of possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorized possession of ammunition.

Their lawyers successfully argued for their release under conditions that they surrender their travel documents and report to the police three times weekly. A stop order was also imposed.

Meanwhile, the other two accused, Shaday Rampassard, a 37-year-old nurse, and 26-year-old Akeem Sang, a higgler of Congreve Park, Bridgeport, St. Catherine, were remanded until March 1, when their bail applications will be heard.

According to police reports, around 11:35 p.m. on January 8, a police team intercepted a Suzuki Swift motor car for a suspected Road Traffic Act violation.

While questioning the driver, officers allegedly observed a firearm in a handbag inside the vehicle. Further inspection confirmed it was a Glock 19 pistol with a loaded magazine. All four occupants were taken into custody and subsequently charged.

Attorney-at-law Orville Morgan represents Johnson, while Leroy Equiano represents Latchman. Davion Vassell is representing Sang, and Tamika Harris is representing Rampassard.

- Tanesha Mundle

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