It made huge news in December of 2008 when two BDF soldiers were caught on the Northern Highway with a trove of dangerous ammunition, allegedly stolen from the Price Barracks Compound. Information to police was that they were going to sell (1,340) one thousand three hundred and forty rounds of 5.56 ammunition to Belize City's street gangs. Those are the kind of rounds used in assault rifles such as M-16's and AR-15's.
At the time, BDF Sergeant 30 year old Emmerson Michael and BDF Lance Corporal 29 year old Henry Williams were intercepted in a BDF Land Rover.
Fast forward four years and today the now 34 year-old Emmerson Michael, BDF Sergeant, was acquitted of the firearm offence before Justice Adolph Lucas.
The prosecution, represented by Stevanni Duncan, called several witnesses to testify against Michael. But the main witness was the officer who was in charge of a checkpoint at the time reported that he busted both men in the Land Rover which Michael was driving and while Williams had the ammunition in a bag between his legs.
Police believe that the ammunition was taken from the Echelon compound at the Price Barracks facility.
Emmerson was a member of a standby unit, but at the time they were busted, he was not authorized to leave the Price Barracks compound
After both men were charged by police, Williams managed to abscond, leaving only Michael to face the offence.
When the prosecution closed their case, Emmerson, who was represented by attorney Dickey Bradley, gave a statement from the dock.
He said that he never went to the echelon compound, and that he was going to Belize City to pick up his wife. In regards to the ammunition, he said that he was not aware of any ammunition in the bag which Williams had.
The jury deliberated for almost 4 hours, and they returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty. With that Michael was able to walk out of court a free man.
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