PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Court of First Instance has sentenced Aartwichgt Bell, a former acting head of Pointe Blanche Prison, to 10 years in prison after finding him guilty on all three counts of repeated sexual abuse of a minor.
The offenses took place over a period of years, beginning when the victim was only nine years old up until her adulthood. In its judgment, the Court considered the victim’s account credible and supported by other evidence, including witness statements and recorded conversations.
The Court found that Bell had gravely abused the trust placed in him as a caregiver, and that he had failed to take any accountability for his actions.
The Court concluded that the seriousness and duration of the abuse, and the harm caused to the victim, warranted a lengthy prison sentence, particularly taking into account that such criminal acts seriously disrupt the legal order and give rise to social unrest.
Aartwichgt Bell has remained in custody since his arrest. The time he has spent in pre-trial detention will be deducted from his sentence. The Court also ordered Aartwichgt Bell to pay the victim Cg 50,000 in compensation, plus statutory interest.
A.B. was arrested on February 2, 2026, by the National Detectives in connection with the investigation.
