Dream becomes nightmare
In nearly yearlong legal battle, American faces prison for gun possession in Caymans
David Meadors, 53, of Hollywood, had every intention of living out his retirement with his wife in the Cayman Islands.
But as the couple began building their dream home there, Meadors was arrested last year on charges he had a gun, bullets and a BB gun without being licensed to them in the British overseas
The Cayman Islands government let him temporarily return to South Florida in January, so he could get treatment for an illness. But since Meadors didn’t return to the Cayman Islands in April, violating the terms of his release, he faces being extradited back to the islands have territory. for trial.
He may be the first American to face prison for firearm possession in the Cayman Islands. If convicted of most of the counts, he could face anywhere from 10 to 20 years imprisonment.
It’s common for Americans licensed to have guns to run into legal issues in the Cayman Islands, unaware they need gun permits issued there. But Meadors’ nearly yearlong legal battle differs from other Americans, who’ve resolved their cases by paying fines.
A Georgia pilot who flew in his own plane to Cayman Brac was fined $8,000 last year after failing to declare a gun and ammunition in his possession. In January, a judge fined an American tourist $13,000 after importing a .22-caliber revolver with five rounds of ammunition.
But Meadors wasn’t treated like other U.S. visitors, where he would’ve resolved the case with a fine. Instead, prosecutors pursued the charge of importation of an unlicensed firearm, a more serious offense, said Ben Tonner, the Cayman Islands attorney Meadors.
Tonner said his client shouldn’t be treated differently than the others. “It is inconceivable that David would jeopardize everything he has going for him by intentionally disobeying Cayman Islands gun rules,” Tonner said.
Meadors is the owner of Broward Impact Window and Door in Dania Beach, where he and his wife, Christine, work. Years ago, the representing