19 more persons charged in terrorism, cybercrime, robbery cases in Georgetown, Berbice unrest

Nineteen more persons were hauled before the courts on Friday in connection with terrorism, cybercrime, and robbery-related offences stemming from the recent unrest across Georgetown and Berbice, bringing the total number of individuals charged this week alone to 62.

These charges came just two days after 43 other individuals were arraigned in the city courts for similar offences following widespread chaos, looting, and disruptions that began after the release of the autopsy results in the death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge in which the postmortem results revealed that she had drowned.
Protests for justice were hijacked by elements that sought to create chaos, with persons looting, robbing businesses, destroying infrastructure, and harming innocent persons
The accused appeared before Magistrate Allan Wilson at the Mahaicony Magistrates’ Court; Magistrate Tuana Hardy at the Whim Magistrates’ Court in Berbice, and Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Georgetown Magistrate’s Court
Among those charged in Georgetown were Jadon Sims, 19, a construction worker of Friendship, Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD); 27-year-old labourer Gray Thompson of Guyhoc Park, Georgetown; Jamal Cornette,23, a construction worker of Farm, East Bank Demerara (EBD); 18-year-old Marvin Sears, of Smythe and Durban Street Georgetown; Kevin Thomas, 25, a porter of Alberttown Georgetown; Dion Norville,38, a painter of Sussex Street Albouystown; 21-year-old Shemar Ross, a construction worker of Westminster, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara; 21-year-old Shane Burnette a construction worker of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank of Demerara (WBD); Terence Park, 46, a vendor of Melanie Damishana, ECD; David Singh, 25, of Lot 52 Laing Street, Charlestown, and 43-year-old security guard Azriel Ashby of El Dorado Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

Singh and Park were jointly charged for breaking into Ye Lin’s business on April 28, at Saffon Street, Georgetown, and stealing items that included cash, phone cards, and groceries, totalling $575,000. They both pleaded not guilty and were remanded to prison until May 28.
Park was represented by Attorney-at-Law Jevon Cox, who told the court that Park works as a vendor on the Kingstown Seawall. He said on the night in question, the man was preparing to go home after receiving a call from the mother of his child, warning him of nearby unrest. He said that as he attempted to return home on his motorcycle, he was stopped and arrested by police amid gunfire in the area.

According to Cox, Park had only a bag with two sneakers on him, which police claimed were stolen items, but were his own. Cox said that the sneakers mysteriously disappeared while his client was in custody. He criticised the police for arbitrarily arresting innocent people, and stated that Park had initially been told he was being charged with terrorism, only to later face larceny charges. Cox questioned the claim that his client could have carried heavy items such as “40 bags of rice” on a motorcycle. He accused police of conducting mass arrests based on vague descriptions.
The prosecutor, however, maintained that Park was arrested not far from the looted business and that his release would pose a safety risk. He insisted that the arguments in the matter be left for trial.
Bail was refused, and they were both remanded until May 28.

Thompson was charged with robbery under arms committed on April 28 at Aubrey Barker and Blue Sackie Drive, South Ruimveldt. He is accused of robbing Shevon Yearwood of electronics and cash valued at $100,000 while armed with a gun. His case was adjourned until May 21.
Sim appeared before the court for attempted robbery under arms. Sim, also known as “JJ,” allegedly tried to rob a man at Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, while armed. He was also remanded to prison until May 21.
The six others who appeared in Georgetown: Cornette, Sears, Thomas, Norville, Ross, and Burnette, were slapped with terrorism charges for dangerously riding motorcycles through Georgetown streets on April 28 with the intent to terrorise the public. The men were accused of performing stunts, occupying both lanes of traffic, and riding in large groups to cause fear. They were all remanded until May 21
The prosecutor strongly objected to bail, citing the gravity and nature of the offences under the Terrorism Act, explaining that the charge attracts a potential fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for no less than ten years. The prosecutor told the court that the men’s actions caused widespread fear, with flights being diverted, passengers stranded at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), businesses forced to shut down, and schools closing early. Roads were also blocked, and fires were lit across the city at the time of the incident, which occurred around 11:00h.

Attorney-at-Law Dominick Bess, who represented Sears, told the court that Sears, who is 18 years old and works at his family’s business, was arrested alone on Smythe Street, Georgetown. He denied knowing or being associated with any of the other five men. According to Bess, his client had run out of gas while using his car and had borrowed a motorcycle from a friend who is a police officer. He was arrested after purchasing gas and was on his way home. Bess said his client had no stolen items, no eyewitness placed him at any scene, and there was no video evidence linking him to any acts of terror. He emphasised that Sears was of a fixed address and posed no flight risk.
Meanwhile, Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade represented the five other accused in the motorcycle case. Wade told the court that whether or not the men were arrested in a group was irrelevant. He warned that the charges represented an overreach, infringing on his clients’ constitutional rights. Wade told the court that on the same night of the alleged incidents, he himself had been on the road and could have been wrongfully charged with terrorism. He argued that reckless driving cannot be equated to terrorism and found it absurd to suggest that motorcycle riding could lead to flights being diverted. According to Wade, the terrorism charges were “baseless and ridiculous.” He added that even his own appearance, when not dressed in a suit, leads to misidentification. At one point, he said he was denied being attorney Darren Wade simply because he was wearing shorts.
The prosecutor stressed that these actions were designed to cause fear, and that according to the legislation, such acts “by any other means whatsoever” also fall within the scope of terrorism. He said the court should consider the social impact and the country’s fragile state when determining whether to grant bail.
Meanwhile, cybercrime charges were brought against 24-year-old Emmanuel Rogers of New Prospect Housing Scheme, EBD, who is accused of using TikTok to incite others to murder the President of Guyana and to burn public buildings, including a police station, hospital, and Parliament. Rogers was arrested and charged under the Cybercrime Act and remanded until May 23.

Whim Magistrate’s Court, Berbice
At the Whim Magistrates’ Court in Berbice, 22-year-old Junior David, a fisherman from Rampoor, Corriverton, was charged with committing acts of terrorism in Dukestown, Corriverton on April 28. He was denied bail and remanded to prison until May 22, when the matter will be transferred to the Springlands Magistrates’ Court.
Two teenage labourers, one from Alness Village and the other from Kildonan Village, were also arrested in relation to terrorist acts committed on April 29 at Alness and Kildonan public roads, respectively.
Both appeared before Magistrate Hardy, but the charges could not be read due to their ages. The teen from Alness was placed in the custody of his grandmother, while the Kildonan teen was released into the care of his older brother. Their matters were postponed to June 6.
Additionally, 47-year-old Tilawattie Singh, called “Angela,” of Lot 4 Ankerville, Port Mourant, was arrested on May 1 and charged for using a computer system to incite terrorist activity, contrary to Section 18(1)(d)(ii) and 18(2) of the Cybercrime Act No. 16 of 2018. She was denied bail and remanded to prison after appearing before Magistrate Hardy.
In a separate case tied to the unrest, Junior Williams, 27, of El Dorado Village, WCB, and 45-year-old Lorraine Small, also of El Dorado Village, were jointly charged under the Terrorism Act. They allegedly placed and lit fire to wood and debris on the public road at Belladrum Village, WCB, on April 27, with the intent to strike terror in the community. Both were remanded until June 13.

Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court
Also charged was 37-year-old Dennis Persaud, a businessman of West Strathavon, Cane Grove Village, ECD. Persaud was accused of using a computer system to incite a terrorist act by encouraging others to burn speed cameras on April 28 at Caneville, ECD. He was granted $150,000 bail and will return to the Mahaicony Magistrates’ Court on June 3.
Following the man’s release, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued a statement claiming disappointment over the Magistrate’s decision.
“Given the gravity of the allegation, which concerns the incitement of acts with potentially catastrophic public safety consequences, the Guyana Police Force considers the grant of bail to be legally untenable in the circumstances. The Guyana Police Force is of the firm view that this decision does not reflect the seriousness of the alleged offence, which involves the incitement of terrorism through digital means and poses a real threat to public order and infrastructure. Additionally, this decision runs counter to recent decisions of every other Magistrate dealing with similar charges”, the statement reads.
The Force said they have commenced active steps to appeal the grant of bail in the interest of upholding the rule of law and preserving public confidence in the justice system.
Police say investigations remain ongoing and more charges are likely to follow as evidence continues to emerge.