By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN and a woman were acquitted yesterday of conspiring to import firearms and ammunition through South Bimini in 2022.
Shavaughn Sands, 43, broke down in tears when the verdict was read after a lengthy trial, and a female relative had to comfort her.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Shaka Serville found Ms Sands and Errol Major, 36, not guilty of conspiracy to import firearms and ammunition. He ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove its case, including failing to show that the juice boxes seized in the case contained ammunition.
Prosecutors alleged that Mr Major, a Bahamian-American, Ms Sands, a ticket agent at Western Air, and businessman Edward Reckley conspired to import firearms and ammunition into the country on March 13, 2022.
Texas man Cary Allen Chappel, 55, is accused of possessing the firearms and ammunition seized at the South Bimini airport. Prosecutors allege he was found with seven 9mm pistols and two .40-calibre Glock pistols, along with 157 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 67 rounds of .40-calibre ammunition. He is also accused of possessing firearm parts, including magazines, extended magazines and a silencer.
Mr Major and Chappel are also accused of importing the firearms and ammunition.
Donna Major and Alphonso Lewis represented the accused. Inspector Crestanea Munroe prosecuted.
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