EIGHT alleged members of a lottery scam network, including a serving member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the mother of the alleged leader and mastermind of the scam, Lavric Willocks, are to be extradited to the United States of America.
The group, who had challenged the extradition request, was yesterday ordered extradited by Parish Judge Vaughn Smith following a hearing in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.
Constable Jason Jahalal, Alrick McLeod, O’Neil Brown, Xanu Ann Morgan, Dario Palmer, Kazrae Gray, Kimberly Hudson, and Willocks’s mother Dahlia Hunter have each been indicted on one count of conspiracy and attempting to commit wire fraud, 48 counts of wire fraud, 15 counts of mail fraud, and one count of money laundering in the state of North Dakota in the United States.
They are alleged to be part of a criminal organisation that manifested in 2009 in Jamaica and elsewhere, and is alleged to have bilked more than 80 people in the US and elsewhere of US$5.6 million.
Judge Smith, in handing down his ruling, said based on the evidence presented by US authorities, he was satisfied that a
prima facie case has been made out against all eight, and that the accused appeared to have been aware of the scam and willingly participated in it.
The judge also pointed out that he noted the concerns of the defence counsel, who had argued that they should be released as the offences of wire and mail fraud were not laws in Jamaica
However, he said that Under the Extradition Treaty, the offence must also be identical to crimes committed in Jamaica and that the two charges were similar to offences under the Larceny Act.
Judge Smith also pointed to a concern raised by Hudson’s lawyer, Bert Samuels, who argued that his client was the mother of an infant child — having given birth last year while in custody — and that the child’s father was recently extradited. He said, too, that Hudson’s extradition would be oppressive.
But the judge indicated that while he understands the concern for the infant’s well-being, he did not agree that the extradition will be oppressive.
Willocks and members of his network were captured last year during a major crackdown by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency and the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Branch.
Willocks was extradited last month after waiving his right to an extradition hearing.
According to allegations read out in court, Jahalal collected US$35,000 through the scheme and was close friends with Willocks, with whom he had attended school.
The allegations also indicated that Jahalal would often travel to the Unites State to oversee the collection of large sums of money, and that when an issue arises he would intervene and give advice.
Family members of the accused, including Jahalal’s mother cried openly in court following the ruling.
“Jesus, mi pickney gone to waste now,” she was overheard saying before she burst into tears and had to be ushered from the courtroom.
Attorney Bert Samuels represented Hudson, Philmore Scott represented Jahalal, Christopher Townsend represented Brown and Palmer, while Tom Tavares-Finson represented Hunter, Grey and McLeod.
The accused have the next 15 days in which to appeal their extradition order in the Supreme Court.
Clean up!