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Three Men to Stand Trial at January Assizes on Firearms and Ammunition Charges

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Three Men to Stand Trial at January Assizes on Firearms and Ammunition Charges
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Three men accused of illegally possessing firearms and ammunition have been ordered to stand trial when the January 2026 Assizes open in the High Court.

The defendants, Judeah Francis of Potters, Jaquan Davis of Skerritt’s Pasture, and Devonne Burton of Paynters , were committed to trial following a recent magistrate’s hearing into the charges arising from an incident in June 2024.

Police allege that the trio were found with two firearms, a black 9mm Browning pistol and a black Desert Eagle .41/.44 Magnum pistol, along with fourteen 9mm rounds of ammunition.

Investigators further claim the men intended to use the weapons in the commission of a crime, leading to an additional charge of attempting to commit a criminal act with the use of firearms.

In a related offence, Francis is also charged with reckless driving, accused of operating a vehicle at a dangerous speed on a public highway, taking into account road conditions, time of day, and traffic levels.

According to court documents, prosecutors intend to rely on fourteen exhibits and the testimony of seven witnesses when the case is brought before the High Court early next year.

The committal marks the latest stage in what police have described as an ongoing effort to curb the illegal possession and use of firearms across Antigua and Barbuda.

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/10/09/three-men-to-stand-trial-at-january-assizes-on-firearms-and-ammunition-charges. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Comments (12)

  • Rush October 9, 2025, 7:56 AM

    We need to know from the police how many guns they have already removed from the streets and homes. Kudos to them
    Reply

  • Apex Jones October 9, 2025, 10:58 AM

    Hmmmmmm ok then
    Reply

  • Tromos October 9, 2025, 11:24 AM

    Let’s hope the courts handle this case properly. Too many people getting off easy these days.”
    Reply

  • Shawn October 9, 2025, 2:47 PM

    Boy, every minute is gun this, gun that. Antigua getting too hot, man. These young fellas feel like they in some action movie two big guns and all them rounds? For what? If is true they was planning to use them, that serious business. That Desert Eagle alone could cause pure destruction. We lucky police catch them before anything happen. But honestly, how all these guns keep popping up? Antigua small, you know. Somebody bringing them in, and until authorities tighten the borders and start checking the right people, it go continue. At the same time, them youths throwing away their life for nothing. Now instead of freedom, they heading straight to trial next January and possibly years behind bars. We need more guidance, more jobs, more programs to pull these fellas off the streets otherwise next year same story again, just different names.
    Reply

  • Cole October 9, 2025, 3:47 PM

    Glad police catch them before anything happen. Imagine if them really use them weapons? Whole community coulda been mourning. Let justice take its course
    Reply

  • D Vaughn October 9, 2025, 3:49 PM

    Sometimes I does feel sorry for the youth. They growing up hard, but picking up gun can’t be the answer. We need more mentorship and job training instead of jail alone
    Reply

  • Ben Simmons October 9, 2025, 6:08 PM

    Desert Eagle? That’s not no little pop gun, that’s a movie weapon! What these fellas doing with that in Antigua? Lawd, this place getting outta hand
    Reply

  • Informed citizen October 9, 2025, 7:38 PM

    Three men, one trial… sounds like the start of a Netflix docuseries waiting to happen. If only people put as much effort into getting legal jobs as they do into getting illegal guns.
    Reply

  • Lena October 9, 2025, 10:42 PM

    January 2026 can’t come fast enough. Let the court deal with them. Too much gun crime for one little island. Every week is another one in the news
    Reply

  • Bianca October 10, 2025, 7:03 AM

    Two big guns and fourteen rounds? Antigua turn war zone now? We not even safe to go beach again. These young men need to wake up before they waste their whole future
    Reply

  • Rhea October 10, 2025, 7:04 AM

    Guns and guns and guns….. hmph
    Reply

  • Anonymous October 10, 2025, 4:08 PM

    Something off with this. Antigua too small for that level of weaponry to be just floating around. Customs and Coast Guard need to start asking serious questions
    Reply

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