On Monday a pregnant Mexican woman who was caught with US$20,000 hidden in her clothes pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempting to leave Belize with undeclared money. She pleaded not guilty and was bailed - but yesterday she changed her story. Reyna Hernandez Casiano who spoke no English was represented by her attorney, Robertha Magnus Usher, who begged for leniency on behalf of her client.
Usher said that her client was robbed in the past and was fearful of carrying the large amount of cash and that is why she hid it. In the end she got that leniency. Chief Magistrate McKenzie accepted her guilty plea and fine her $2,500. She was spared because the magistrate could have fined her a maximum of $10,000 for the offense. The $20, 000 is expected to be forwarded to Casiano who is in a rush to return to her home in Chetumal.
