Gun issue was ‘innocent mistake’, says Jayda Cheaves’ lawyer
Jayda Cheaves’ lawyer, Martyn Thomas, has described her predicament as an “innocent mistake”.
The popular social media influencer and entrepreneur, along with Gregory Wright, a member of her entourage, had to face the Western Regional Gun Court in Montego Bay, St James, yesterday. On Monday, they were taken into custody and charged after two 9mm pistols and ammunition were reportedly discovered in their luggage as they were preparing to leave the island via a private jet at the Sangster International Airport.
“It really was an innocent mistake. She [Cheaves] was advised they could have travelled to Jamaica with the firearm,” Thomas told THE STAR. “However, you can’t rely on someone else’s advice, whether it be travel agents or another person. As an individual, with a legal firearm, you have to do your own checks and that’s where she was at fault.” While the weapons were legally obtained in the US and they had the necessary licences, they had no permission to take them into Jamaica.
Both US citizens pleaded guilty and were each ordered to pay fines of J$500,000 or 12 months of imprisonment on the firearm charges, and $300,000 or 12 months of imprisonment for the ammunition charges. However, Thomas expressed that he could not speak about or confirm the total fine paid. He also explained that Cheaves and Wright, who was represented by Michael Hemmings, were not convicted.
“There were no convictions recorded against them, none were to be recorded and it doesn’t affect them travelling here again,” he said. “They are allowed to travel with their firearm as long as it is in a firearm safe, but the blunder I lay at the foot of customs.”
He added “What usually happens is the firearm is checked on, the airline is to notify customs that a firearm is on board and then customs should meet the plane to take control of the firearm and then hand it over thereafter once they ensure the holder had the requisite permits. At the same time, there was a mishap which caused the firearm to be handed over to her.”
Neither defendant was required to surrender their fingerprints to the police.
“My client even asked when we were finished if she would be able to come back to Jamaica because she loves Jamaica and she had a great time and her Ladyship Justice Wiltshire said she’s free to come back anytime she wants,” Thomas shared. “It’s just unfortunate that she came to celebrate her 24th birthday, had a lovely time but it was just this situation that put a damper on it.”
In an Instagram story post, Cheaves said she had learned her lesson and had the best birthday ever in the island.