Last night, we showed you the 5 Belize City men who filmed themselves while they were showing off what looked like illegal firearms equipped with extended magazines. They are known members of a criminal gang in the Martins Area, and they were boasting about just how many bullets they would be able to fire with those extended magazines.
That video began spreading around in private WhatsApp groups, and it quickly drew the attention of the police department.
Police launched a special operation on Sunday and detained them yesterday afternoon. They were arrested and charged with the offences of being a member of a criminal gang and participating in a video that promotes gang activity.
Those 5 men have since been identified by police as 33-year-old Joseph Winston James, 29-year-old Sheldon Grinage, 32-year-old John Grinage, 32-year-old Hubert Baptist, and 35-year-old Brandon Baptist.
Just before midday today, the 5 accused were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer. Our news team was at court for the hearing, and we got a chance to speak with their Attorney, "OJ" Elrington, shortly after it concluded. Here's what he had to say about the charges which have now landed his clients on remand at the Belize Central Prison:
Orson "OJ" Elrington - Attorney for the Accused
"As you may know, they were charged 2 offenses, and one with 3 offenses. We represent all 5 persons. One was for participating in a video that promotes gang activity, another, being a member of a gang, and the other being producing a video that promotes gang activity. Those are not offenses for which the Magistrate can grant bail. So, she took the plea of all 5 accused. All 5 pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, and they were remanded to prison until the 24th of September, 2021."
Reporter
"What is their explanation for even involving themselves in that video because reasonable thinking individuals are wondering why would you draw attention to yourself for what appears to be a very serious crime?"
Orson "OJ" Elrington
"Well, Truth be told, we were just retained this morning, and so we have not had the opportunity to speak about the allegations against. We have simply been retained at this point, to try to get bail for them. And during that discussion over the next week, we will definitely explore that what is their explanation for the allegations against them."
Reporter
"You have certain individuals posing with what looks like real firearms. We won't be able to prove to ourselves that they are real because we weren't there when it was produced."
Orson "OJ" Elrington - Attorney for the Accused
"I have not seen the video, so I honestly cannot speak to it. But, second to that, I also saw a trailer for a Space Jam. Do you know Space Jam, with Lebron James, my favorite basketball player? I trailer with him yesterday. There are many things that can happen with videos."
According to Elrington, the plan is to expedite their bail hearing before a Supreme Court judge, which could happen as early as this Friday.
