Melbourne Wade faces two more deception charges

Published by [email protected] at December 12, 2024

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Posted: Thursday, December 12, 2024. 5:46 pm CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: Melbourne Wade, a former car dealer turned salesman, finds himself facing two additional counts of obtaining property by deception, bringing his total charges to seven. Wade, who has a history of swindling victims, appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Thursday after being accused of duping two women in separate schemes involving fraudulent vehicle sales.

Wade first appeared in Court #3, where he was charged with defrauding a 62-year-old housewife from Sand Hill. The woman reported that in August 2024, Wade promised to sell her a 2018 grey Ford Escape for $9,000. She paid him a $5,500 down payment, but the vehicle was never delivered, and Wade ceased communication with her. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of $5,000.

Minutes later, Wade appeared in Court #2 to face a second charge involving a 40-year-old project manager from Sand Hill. The woman alleged she agreed to purchase a black 2018 Ford Escape from Wade in August 2024 under a rent-to-own agreement. She paid him $5,000, but the vehicle was never delivered. The prosecution strongly objected to bail due to Wade’s repeated offenses and the risk of harm to him by frustrated victims.

Despite the objections, the Senior Magistrate granted Wade bail of $3,500 with strict conditions, including staying 100 yards away from the victims and avoiding contact with prosecution witnesses.

In his defense, Wade made an emotional appeal for leniency, claiming he has turned his life around since being out of jail. “I just got a job, and I’m trying to pay back these people,” he told the court. Wade also stated he was the breadwinner for his family and had recently been sworn in as a campaign manager for an upcoming election.

Wade’s charges stem from a series of alleged scams in which he convinced victims to pay deposits or installments for vehicles he did not own or deliver. Notable among his victims was former Belize City Mayor Zenaida Moya. The prosecution has cited Wade’s pattern of deceit and the strength of their cases as grounds for stricter measures.

Wade is set to return to court on January 17, 2025, for the first matter, and January 20, 2025, for the other case. If convicted, he could face significant penalties for his actions.

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