The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A woman accused of being a human trafficker was told she will be tried in the Supreme Court on seven charges.

When 23-year-old Chevanese “Sasha” Hall appeared in Magistrate’s Court yesterday on human trafficking and other related charges, Eucal Bonaby told Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez the Attorney General intends to have Hall tried in the Supreme Court.

After a few amendments were made to the particulars of the charges, Hall was formally arraigned.

She faces seven charges – two counts of “trafficking of a person”, two counts of “unlawful withholding of papers”, two counts of “transporting a person for the purpose of exploiting such person for prostitution” and a single charge of “threats of death”.

The above offenses were all allegedly committed between January 10 and January 28 of this year.

It is claimed that Hall, for the purpose of trafficking of persons, recruited, transported, transferred, received and/or facilitated the arrivals of two women into the Bahamas by means of deception or fraud.

It is further claimed that she withheld their passports from them and transported them to Grand Bahama to be exploited for prostitution.

It is lastly alleged that she threatened Menns with death.

“You understand the charges?” the chief magistrate asked the accused woman.

“Yes, I understand,” Hall answered.

“You’re not required to plead to the charges. There won’t be a preliminary inquiry as the case will be carried to Supreme Court through the service of a Voluntary Bill of Indicment. It should speed the trial up a bit,” Chief Magistrate Gomez said.

Roberto Reckley, who stood in for Hall’s attorney Brian Dorsett, asked the magistrate to consider giving Hall bail, as the charges allowed this.

Mr Bonaby strongly objected.

“The defendant poses a flight risk. She has no status in the Bahamas and there is no likelihood that she will remain for her trial,” he argued.

The prosecutor also noted that the investigation is ongoing and “involves international concerns, so we will strongly object.”

Mr Reckley responded that his client is “obviously innocent until proven guilty”.

“But what I’ve heard so far today sounds like a pre-trial,” he added.

The attorney argued that the prosecutor presented no substantial grounds to warrant Hall being denied bail, or proving that Hall will abscond if released.

He further noted that the court had the option of specifying the bail conditions.

The attorney added that if the case was so strong against Hall, there should have been no reason for the long investigation that kept the accused in custody for two weeks.

Mr Dorsett interjected, apologising for his tardiness and confirming that a documented complaint had been filed hours ago concerning police and immigration detaining his client for two weeks without bringing a charge against her.

Mr Bonaby said human trafficking is a serious offense that raises concerns, not only locally, but internationally as well.

He said the arraignment was the first time someone has ever been formally charged for this offence in the Bahamas.

He said police are seeking various persons involved in such acts and he Immigration Department is doing what it can in conjunction with the police.
Chief Magistrate Gomez said that while he did not agree with Hall having been in custody for two weeks,

“I do feel as though she is a flight risk and these are some very serious charges.

“You will be remanded into custody” he told Hall, adding that “of course, you have the right to appeal that in the Supreme Court”.

The VBI presentation is scheduled for May 3. Hall will remain in custody at Her Majesty’s Prison until completion of trial.