The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

AN undocumented Haitian man has been charged with four counts of assault with a deadly instrument and causing damage to a Department of Immigration vehicle in connection with the illegal immigrant landings in Eleuthera last week.

The undocumented man, Johnnie Emil, pleaded not guilty in Magistrate’s Court in Rock Sound and was remanded to prison until June 17.

When contacted for comment yesterday, Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said the charges represented the good work of the Department of Immigration, police and Royal Bahamas Defence Force during a difficult time in the country.

Mr Mitchell said he did not think there was a general hostility towards officials, rather that “some miscreants” were being encouraged to cause problems.

He added that his department will not hesitate to take proportionate and measured action.

Officials are still investigating the incident that led to the shooting of another undocumented Haitian man on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Department of Immigration yesterday.

The man, identified by Eleuthera residents as 27-year-old Jean-Mary Justilien, was said to be in police custody and detained at the Princess Margaret Hospital after he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and an immigration officer in the execution of their duties at Palmetto Point, Eleuthera on Tuesday.

The statement read: “The alleged assault resulted in the accidental discharge of the service revolver of the police officer causing injuries to the face and shoulder of the suspect.”

In an earlier statement, police had said that the man was shot in the cheek after he attempted to disarm an immigration officer.

Meanwhile, six men, including three Haitian residents and a Bahamian national, were also charged in connection with immigrant landings near James Cistern, Eleuthera, on June 3.

Haitian boat captains Antoine Armad and Frankie Pierre were charged with assisting the illegal landings. Armad, who pleaded guilty on Monday, was fined $2,000 or two years in prison, and was detained at the Department of Correctional Services in Fox Hill. Pierre pleaded not guilty on Tuesday and was remanded until his trial date on July 13.

Haitian residents Tide Estilus, Sinfilien Remy and Robenson Guerrier, and Bahamian Franklyn Smith pleaded not guilty to charges of harbouring, aiding and abetting illegal persons who are fugitives from justice. Estilus, Remy and Guerrier were remanded until their trial on July 13, while Smith was granted $1,500 bail.

Smith is scheduled to appear in court on September 16.