Four charged in US to Cayman firearms smuggling caper

By Brent Fuller, brent@cfp.ky Sunday 20th September, 2009 Posted: 13:50 CIT (18:50 GMT) Four men, at least two of whom are from Cayman, have been charged in US federal court in connection with separate firearms–related incidents. According to federal court indictments obtained by the Caymanian Compass, three of the men are accused of conspiring to smuggle firearms into the Cayman Islands via a freight forwarder in Broward County, Florida. The fourth man is charged with illegally possessing a .40 calibre Glock semi–automatic pistol as a non–immigrant alien having been admitted to the United States. It was unclear from court records whether the two indictments had any connection to each other. Special Counsel to the US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Alicia Valle said the three men charged in the guns shipping case pleaded guilty in August. Their sentencing date is set for early November. According to federal court records, David Gilbert Lyons, Mitchell Anthony Brown, and Brittanio Jermie Walton each face five counts in the indictment alleging they conspired to ship firearms, attempted to export firearms, delivered firearms to a common carrier without notice, attempted to ship firearms with obliterated serial numbers, and possessed firearms with serial numbers obliterated. Federal court records indicated that Mr. Lyons travelled from Grand Cayman to Miami on 2 April to meet up with Mr. Walton and Mr. Brown. On 10 April, the charge alleges that the three drove to Pennsylvania to obtain firearms and returned to Miami about four days later. Attempting to cover up what they were shipping, the federal court indictment alleges that the three men went to a Home Depot store in Hialeah, Florida to buy light fixtures, ceiling fans, a hedge trimmer, and a window air conditioning unit. Two days later, court records charge that seven boxes containing the items bought at Home Depot were delivered to a freight forwarder in Port Everglades, Broward County, Florida. “All (the items) concealed firearms and ammunition,” the indictment stated. The indictment did not specify the amount of weapons and ammunition the three men were attempting to ship. The items were merely described as firearms, ammunition, and gun parts. The case falls under federal jurisdiction in the US because federal law states that no “defence articles or defence services” can be exported from the US to a foreign country without a US State Department licence. Four of the counts the three defendants face carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The other count, attempting to export firearms, carries a maximum 10–year term. The indictment does not mention who the weapons were shipped to in the Cayman Islands. However, firearms importation charges have been filed locally in connection with a case that involved the recovery of several imported handguns earlier this year. Ms Valle said the US Attorney’s Office in Miami did not have any public records pertaining to that case. Royal Cayman Islands Police have repeatedly refused to comment on any aspect of the gun transhipment investigation. Gun possession charge In the separate indictment, Marvin Matthew Watson has been charged with possessing a firearm in the US “which had been transported in interstate or foreign commerce” in violation of US law. According to court records, a jury trial in the case was due to start earlier this month. But the US attorney’s office could not provide details. If convicted, Mr. Watson could face up to ten years in US federal prison for possession of a firearm by a non–immigrant alien. Comment: This has been going on by various groups of Jamaicans and Caymanian youths for years! Even Caymanian fishermen are part of the smuggling.

Next Level Nightclub Shooting - A Murder Waiting to Happen Type Club

Next Level nightmare

By Brent Fuller One dead, one hurt in shooting One man died and another was hurt in a shooting that occurred inside the Next Level nightclub on West Bay Road early Thursday morning. Police officers investigate Thursday morning’s deadly double shooting at the Next Level night club. Photo: Brent Fuller Approximately 100 people were inside the club when shots rang out around 1.30am, according to witnesses there who have spoken to the Caymanian Compass. “The first shot sounded like someone dropped a bottle,” said one man who the Compass is not identifying in order to protect him from retaliation. “I saw the body drop and the second shot went off. “I’m still speechless; sleepless…I’ve never seen anyone get shot in front of me, especially not in Cayman.” The dead man, and intended victim was identified as Carlo Webster, a West Bay resident in his early to mid–30s. The second man, a bystander who hit in the stomach by gunfire, and was hospitalised and expected to recover. Those inside the club reported two or three gun shots being fired, and were unsure whether the second man was even a target of the shooting. No arrests had been reported in the killing as of press time Thursday. Mr. Webster’s death is the sixth homicide to occur in Cayman so far this year. Next level landlord and liquor license–holder Christian Sorenson said he was at the club until about 1.15am on Thursday and that prior to the shooting, everything had appeared normal. Wednesday nights at Next Level are generally well–attended by local college students, but the crowd thins out a bit in September when some of the clientele head back to school overseas. Mr. Sorenson said the Next Level was at about one–third capacity just before the shooting happened. “Everything looked normal, not really crowded…there was no sign that anything was wrong,” Mr. Sorenson said. Witnesses said some shoving and shouting occurred just before the shooting, but by that time Mr. Sorenson had left. The Next Level is well outfitted with security cameras, eight on the inside and four on the outside. Mr. Sorenson said the cameras record video for up to six hours at a time. Police are examining the videos. The club also employs security guards that search those entering at the front door using metal detector wands and full–body pat down techniques. “I’m stunned that someone would have done this in front of witnesses and cameras,” Mr. Sorenson said. “If they’re crazy enough to do this…I just don’t know.” Next Level owner Harry Lalli said he was seeking more information on the incident and was unable to make a statement by press time. Police Commissioner David Baines said the Next Level would be closed for the foreseeable future as it is a crime scene. “As part of our investigation we will look at issues related to the club and any identified failings will be reported to the Liquor Licensing Board,” Mr. Baines said. There have previously been crime problems around the Next Level and the adjacent parking lot, particularly near closing time in recent years. However, just last year liquor board chairman Mitchell Welds praised the establishment’s efforts in improving security. “Security looks pretty tight there,” Mr. Welds commented at a board meeting in September. Another board member said that Next Level was setting the example that other nightclubs on Grand Cayman should follow. RCIPS Chief Inspector Peter Kennett said police were urging witnesses to the crime to come forward, and said there were likely to be a fair few given the number of people at the club Thursday morning. “Did you see someone leaving the area or a car driving away? If you did please come forward,” Mr. Kennett said. Those with information were asked to call either George Town police station at 949–4222, the RCIPS anonymous voicemail service at 949–7777, or Crime Stoppers at 800–8477.