The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

A MAN was placed on two years’ probation yesterday after being arrested for possessing a fake driver’s licence.

Takiyah Armbrister, 21, appeared before Senior Magistrate Samuel McKinney on charges of possession of a forged document and uttering a forged document.

On March 22, Armbrister while driving a Honda Accord was caught speeding on University Drive near the University of the Bahamas by Police Sergeant Nesbitt. After Sgt Nesbitt noticed that Armbrister was not wearing a seatbelt he stopped the 21-year-old and asked him to present his licence.

Upon receiving the ID, the officer immediately became suspicious of the card and arrested Armbrister for having a fake ID. A further investigation would confirm the driver’s licence (#408907884) was in fact falsified.

In court, Armbrister pleaded guilty to both counts against him. He had no prior charges.

Armbrister’s attorney, Ryszard Humes, then explained to the court that his client admitted to the offence and told officers that an unknown man had given Armbrister the fake driver’s licence.

The lawyer said that while Armbrister could not give the location of this unknown man, he was truly remorseful for his actions. Armbrister said that it was a poor decision he will not make again.

As Armbrister is gainfully employed and a college applicant at Synergy college for graphic design, his attorney asked Magistrate McKinney for leniency.

In addition to asking that the court take into account his client’s early plea, Mr Humes also asked that the court not give Armbrister a criminal record as it would hamper his chances of finding a future career.

Taking this into consideration, the magistrate placed the accused on probation. If he violates the terms of his probation, he would have to pay a $1,500 fine or face three months in custody.