Southside resident sentenced to 2 years for firearm offense on Carnival Day

Published by [email protected] at January 9, 2025

Posted: Thursday, January 9, 2025. 11:18 pm CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Belize City man caught with an illegal firearm during the Carnival Road March on September 9, 2023, has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty.

Leroy Ramsey, 37, a laborer of North Creek, was convicted of keeping a firearm and ammunition. The Senior Magistrate handed him two custodial sentences: two years for the firearm and one year for the ammunition. However, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning Ramsey will serve only two years.

The incident occurred on Carnival Day, when police, acting on a tip from a concerned citizen, stopped Ramsey near the parade route on Vernon Street. Officers conducted a search of a sling bag he carried and found a black 9mm pistol loaded with six live rounds. Ramsey was arrested and charged after admitting he did not have a license for the weapon.

Initially pleading not guilty, Ramsey changed his plea on January 8, 2025, shortly before his trial. In mitigation, he admitted, “Yes, ah meh have the gun,” and requested leniency.

This is not Ramsey’s first conviction. In 2008, he was found guilty of attempted murder in connection with a shooting incident that injured two men on Racoon Street.

Ramsey will now serve his sentence at the Belize Central Prison.

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