The Prosecutor’s Office Bulletin

1694
Gino Bernadina Spokesman for the Public Prosecutor Office

15 years for rape, robbery, assault and extortion

The Prosecutor’s Office asked for a jail sentence of 15 years for R.O.N.R. (30) on Wednesday, October 12. He is accused of two counts of rape, two counts theft, two counts of robbery, two counts of common assault and extortion. All his victims were females and were between 19 and 67 years old.

While denying any involvement in the accusations during the preliminary investigation, the suspect did say during the criminal proceedings in court that he had sexual intercourse with one of the victims, but that it was consensual. The Prosecutor’s Office did not deem this statement likely, and believed all accusations against the suspect were legally and convincingly proven.

The Court of First Instance will give its verdict on November 2.


200 days jail for joyride in police car

J.J.W. (32) has been sentenced by the Court of First Instance of St. Maarten on Wednesday, October 12, to 200 days in jail of which 100 days suspended, and a probation period of 3 years. She was found guilty of 7 of the 8 counts against her. J.J.W. was arrested on July 30, after a police patrol was send to a fast food restaurant in Cole Bay in connection with complaints about a drug addict using drugs in the toilet of that establishment.

Shortly after her arrest, the suspect managed to force herself through the small sliding window between the front and rear seat of the police car.

She drove off with the vehicle despite orders from the police officers to stop, colliding with several other vehicles, and causing danger for persons in the area. She was accused by the Prosecutor’s Office of disobeying a direct order, resisting arrest, theft/joyriding, hit and run, destruction, driving without a driver’s license, driving while intoxicated and dangerous driving behaviour.

The Court of First Instance did not find the accusation of theft legally and convincingly proven and acquitted J.J.W. of this charge.