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A Costa Rican con man who's accused of running up - and running away from - more than 100 thousand Belize dollars in hotel bills at high end resorts in San Pedro and Placencia was taken to court today.
Christopher Marchena was charged for obtaining property by deception, possession of counterfeit and possession of controlled drugs.
He was arraigned in San Pedro Magistrate's Court this afternoon
where he pleaded guilty to possession of controlled drugs and was fined $500 dollars to be paid forthwith.
For counterfeit and obtaining services by deception, he pleaded not guilty and the matter was adjourned until May.
He was denied bail and is remanded tonight. Island police are expected to bring him to the mainland tomorrow where he will be sent to Hattieville.
Using little more than screenshots and sweet words, Marchena gamed at least two major resorts for accommodations and food to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars.
The commissioner expressed his bewilderment at how this Costa Rican who posed as an American and a Colombian was able to do this:
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I must say those hotels are very unique, I have been to many hotels all over the world, including Belize and every time I get to a hotel, the first thing they tell me, credit card, and I have to produce a credit card and pay a downpayment on the spot. I was never given the opportunity to stay and "money will come in later on" so I don't know what got into those hotels to make that move in allowing him to stay without even providing a credit card or a downpayment. But again the report has been made to the police and we are dealing with it, the individual is in police custody at this time. Immigration is also involved to see if there is any immigration offense committed and then we proceed."
Reporter:
"What charges, if any, would be able to be levied on him?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Obtaining services by deception."
Marchena checked out of Itz'ana in Placencia on February 13th - living behind a 27 thousand Belize dollar bill and turned at Viilla Los Abrazos in San Pedro ten days later where he ran up a stunning hundred thousand Belize dollar bill.
