Belize’s most wanted convicted in absentia

The case is five years old, but tonight it has brought one of Belize’s most wanted fugitives back into the headlines. In February 2002 Jermaine Fuentes, also known as Jermaine De Paz, was sought by police in connection with two high-profile murders. He was never caught and it is believed he fled the country. Prior to those killings, however, in May 2001, Fuentes and Ruben Oliva were arrested and charged with drug trafficking in connection with the confiscation of over seven pounds of weed. Today, Chief Magistrate Herbert Lord declared Oliva not guilty of the charge. But Fuentes, who has been at the top of the most wanted list for the past four years, jumped bail on the drug charges. However, that did not stop the Chief Magistrate from continuing with the case against him. After hearing the evidence, Lord found Fuentes guilty and sentenced him to three years in prison plus a fine of ten thousand dollars. Should Fuentes fail to pay up, he will spend an additional three years behind bars. That is assuming he’s ever caught. Eight months after the weed bust, Fuentes was implicated in the murders of Mark Ireland, Anthony “Trigger” Adderley, and the attempted murder of Joel Waight. Despite an intense search, he has never been arrested and charged with those crimes and tonight police sources tell News Five they believe that Fuentes is living in the Los Angeles area. If you have any information that may lead to the arrest of Jermaine Fuentes, you are asked to please contact the nearest police station or call 0-800-922-TIPS.