A 19-year-old has been sentenced to one year’s imprisonment after pleading guilty to possessing a modified flare gun.
Jeremy Floyd entered his guilty plea following his arrest on December 28th, when police officers on mobile patrol stopped a vehicle in which he was traveling in the Deep Bay area. During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a modified weapon—black and orange in color—concealed beneath the back passenger seat.
Three other men who were arrested alongside Floyd, all residents of the Greenbay area, entered not guilty pleas. The prosecution subsequently withdrew charges against them.
In delivering her sentence on January 6th, Acting Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel applied Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court sentencing guidelines, noting that Floyd had possessed the modified firearm for approximately five months—a factor that aggravated the offense.
However, the magistrate also took into account substantial mitigating factors. Character testimonials presented to the court described Floyd as a hardworking young man who supports his mother and four siblings, walks his younger sister to and from school daily, and is respected within the fishing community.
The court heard that Floyd cooperates with police during their investigation and entered an early guilty plea, which resulted in a one-third reduction of his sentence under established sentencing principles.
Magistrate Emanuel credited Floyd with six days already served on remand and ordered that the modified flare gun be confiscated and transferred to the police armory.
The company that we keep
Illegal weapons on the streets are a serious concern. This sends a clear message
This could have ended much worse if that weapon had been used.
Young people need to understand the consequences of poor decisions.
Some people dropped the ball with this kid and its most likely his parents
The courts must continue to take firm action against gun-related offenses.
Too many young men are ending up in trouble because of illegal weapons