Cop charged in stolen gun case fired

The police officer charged in connection with the disappearance of firearms and ammunition from the Georgetown Police Station has been fired.

Zackrie Latham, 25, a former police constable, of New Grounds, was discharged on Sunday, one day before he and three other men appeared in court to answer to the charges.

Latham was a police officer for just over a year, which is in with the probation period, and, therefore, Commissioner of Police, Colin John, was able to discharge him.

Latham has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

He was charged that:

• between Jan. 31 and April 1, 2021, at Georgetown, he entered the armoury of the Georgetown Police Station as a trespasser and stole one box containing 50 rounds of .40mm ammunition, valued at EC$250, the property of the Government of SVG;
• between Jan. 31 and June 17, 2021, at Georgetown, being employed in the government service as a member of the Royal SVG Police Force and being charged with the performance of duties by virtue of his employment, corruptly received property for himself on account of an action done by you in discharge of the duties of his office;
• between Jan. 31 and April, 1, 2021, at Georgetown, entered the armoury of the Georgetown Police Station as a trespasser and stole three boxes containing 250 rounds of .40mm ammunition, the property of the Government of SVG.

Latham entered not guilty pleas while his co-accused, Avi King, 26, a labourer, of Diamonds; and Meshach Dublin, aka 26, “Shane” and “3D”, an unemployed Diamonds resident, pleaded guilty on joint charges that:

• between June 2 and 18, 2021, at Diamonds,  they had in their possession criminal property, to wit, EC$3,200 in cash, which they knew or suspected in whole or in part directly or indirectly represents the proceed of criminal conduct;
• on June 17, at Diamonds, they had in their possession 305 rounds of ammunition without a licence issued under the Firearms Act;
• between June 2 and 17, 2021, at Sion Hill, not being a licenced firearm dealer, sold one Glock 22 pistol, serial number LNL 155 to one “Pet”, of Sion Hill;
• between June 2 and 17, 2021, at Sion Hill, not being a licensed firearm dealer, sold one magazine with 15 rounds of .40mm ammunition to one “Pet”, of Sion Hill;
• on June 17, 2021, at Kingstown, not being a licensed firearm dealer, sold one Glock 22 pistol, serial number LNL 144 to Myron Samuel, of Layou; and,
• on June 17, 2021, at Kingstown, not being a licensed firearm dealer, sold one magazine with 15 rounds of .40mm ammunition to Myron Samuel, of Layou.

Latham pleaded not guilty while King pleaded guilty to charges that:

• between June 1 and 4, 2021, at Georgetown, they had in their possession, one M-4 rifle, serial number W877775, a prohibited weapon, without the authorisation of the minister;
• between June 1 and 18, 2021, at Georgetown, they had in their possession one Glock pistol, serial number LNL151, without a licence issued under the Firearms Act; and,
• between June 1 and 28, 2021, at Georgetown, they had in their possession, one Glock pistol, serial number LNL144, without a licence issued under the Firearms Act.

King and Latham both pleaded not guilty to a charge that between June 1 and June 18, 2021, at Georgetown, they had in their possession one Glock 22 pistol, serial number LNL155, without a licence issued under the Firearms Act.

The trio has been remanded into custody until July 1.

Meanwhile, former national footballer, Myron Samuel, 28, self-employed, of Layou, pleaded not guilty to the three charges brought against him.

Samuel is accused of purchasing a pistol and 15 rounds of ammunition allegedly stolen from the police station, as well as possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence.

He was granted EC$20,000 bail and ordered to return to court on July 13.