Curtis August Pleads Guilty to Stealing Guns from Former Commissioner’s House

Earlier today, twenty-two-year-old Curtis August pleaded guilty to Handling Stolen Goods in reference to several guns that were stolen from the residence of former Commissioner of Police, Allen Whylie. He was fined fifteen hundred, dollars plus five dollars cost of court, to be paid by March thirty-first, 2023, in default, six months imprisonment. Whylie’s home was broken into on the night of Sunday, November sixth while he was away. August was initially charged with two counts for the same offense in connection with the discovery of some of the guns at one location, but he is now also charged in connection with the discovery of more of the weapons that were stashed at another location. The guns were found in Lemonal Village, Belize District and in Palmar Village, Orange Walk. August’s attorney, O.J. Elrington explained how his client managed to secure a fine rather than jail time.

O.J. Elrington, Attorney for Curtis August

O.J. Elrington

“There was no accusation that my client himself conducted the burglary, but that he did admit to handling the stolen goods and because of that and he pled guilty, of course was allowed to have a (non) custodial sentence. Of course, some of the mitigating factors, which is what we spent the majority of the time submitting to the court was the fact that this was my client’s first offence, the fact that he assisted the police – he was very cooperative with the police, that at the earliest possible convenience he pled guilty to this matter and therefore the court, in its discretion, granted him a fine of fifteen hundred dollars.”