Father and 17-year-old son both remanded to prison over single bullet allegedly found in home

Posted: Tuesday, August 20, 2024. 9:34 am CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 32-year-old father and his 17-year-old son are on remand after a single round of ammunition was discovered at their Belize City home. The father, Mark Anthony Williams, a call center agent, is currently being held at the Kolbe Foundation, while his teenage son is detained at the Wagner’s Youth Facility.

The pair, who reside at a Berry Street address, appeared unrepresented in the Belize City Magistrate Court on Monday, charged with keeping ammunition without a license after police found a .9mm live round in a bedroom occupied by the minor during a search on Friday, August 16, 2024.

Both Williams and his son initially pleaded not guilty to the charge. However, during the hearing, Williams contemplated pleading guilty after learning that the minor had also pleaded not guilty. The court informed Williams that if he pleaded guilty, he would face an automatic remand and a potential sentence of six months per bullet.

The minor, who was present during the police search, expressed doubt about the bullet’s presence, claiming he watched officers search the room and find nothing initially. He only learned about the bullet when an officer claimed to have found it after he turned away. Williams, who was outside the house at the time, also expressed suspicion about the bullet’s discovery.

After a brief recess to reconsider, Williams ultimately decided to maintain his not guilty plea, despite knowing the potential jail time. Under Section 16 of the Firearms Control Criminal and Justice Act, the Magistrate was unable to grant bail, resulting in the remand of both Williams and his son.

The minor is now being held at the Wagner’s Youth Facility, while Williams is at the Belize Central Prison. The court’s decision forced a mother to say goodbye to her son and common-law husband, as both await their upcoming trial.

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