Freedom for sale | 3 cops charged for alleged money-making arrests

Three cops from Kingston West Police Division, who have been implicated in what appears to be a case of money-making arrests, were granted bail yesterday (September 26) in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Corporal Kevon Watson, Constable Andrey Thomas and Constable Ricaldo Thompson were offered bail in the sum of $250,000 each.

Detectives from the Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) charged the trio on 23 September 2018 for alleged breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act.

MOCA alleged that, in February this year, Corporal Watson, Constable Thomas and a third policeman arrested the complainant after he was acquitted of a criminal charge.

They allegedly solicited $200,000 for release of the complainant.

“The complainant contacted his girlfriend who resides overseas and the sum of $JA50,000 was paid over to them (the accused) for his release,” MOCA further said.

After the complainant was released, he made a report to MOCA, which launched an investigation into the matter.

Further allegations are that Corporal Watson and Constable Thomas again arrested the complainant on September 11, and took him to Denham Town Police Station where they solicited another $100,000 from him.

“He assured them that, on the arrival of his girlfriend from the United States, the money would be paid over to them,” MOCA said.

It further stated that, on September 13, a team of police personnel – including the three charged – accosted and took the complainant and his girlfriend to a location in the vicinity of Kingston Technical High School. While there, the officers allegedly received US$200 and JA$58,000.

The complainant and his girlfriend returned to MOCA and made an additional report. “Following this, the three policemen were arrested and placed on an Identification Parade where they were positively identified. They were then charged following an interview session,” MOCA said.

The trio will return to court on November 19.

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