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During that time King is accused of throwing a wild tantrum in the casino and then assaulting police as they tried to arrest one of his friends. Today he became only the second sitting member of cabinet in memory to be brought up on criminal charges as he was escorted to the Corozal Magistrate's court. Daniel Ortiz was there and he has this rpeort:..

Daniel Ortiz reporting
King arrived at court promptly at 9 a.m., and along with his entourage, went directly inside the building. In his haste, trying to elude the cameras, he ended up dodging into the clerk of court's office. He quickly realized that he was in the wrong area, and he then moved to the court room area.

It is customary that Magistrate's Court starts with older matters where adjournments are dealt with first. But not today, Magistrate Clive Lino called up King's matter as soon as he formally opened the session.

The 38 year old minister moved to the defendant's area, where he was read his charges in the presence of observers and his attorney, Ellis Arnold. According to Police Constable Nelson Ramos, on Tuesday, February 5, King committed an aggravated assault against him.

Police say that during that incident, he engaged in disorderly conduct, but perhaps the most attention-grabbing charge is the use of threatening words.

Again, PC Ramos alleges that while trying to intervene and get King under control, King uttered the words, quote, 'Ah Feel like shoot you with mih gun.' The allegation is a damning one for the Minister in charge of the Gang Truce - now Peace in Progress.

He was granted bail of $4,000 by Magistrate Lino, and he must return to court of April 16. Again, there was another reminder of the high office King holds because after the arraignment, he was allowed to wait inside the clerk's office for over an hour.

He enjoyed the amenities of the office area where he and his entourage waited for the bail signatory to show up to finalize the document. It is a stark difference in treatment in relation to other defendants awaiting bail because they are usually placed in a holding cell area until the documents are complete.

After he was free to leave, members of the media tried to no avail to get comments from him, despite being an elected member of government, and perhaps obligated to answer to the public.

Daniel Ortiz
"Minister King sir, can we get a comment from you? Sir you are a Minister of the State; a Minister of the people."

Ellis Arnold, Attorney
"No comment to nobody. Respect that for me please."

Daniel Ortiz
"But he has only given in different text form."

Ellis Arnold, Attorney
"He will not give any comment under hos attorney's advice. Excuse me."

Reporter
"You have only given a press release, will you a say a verbal sorry? When can we expect a verbal sorry from you sir?"

After that, he moved into the police station to sign a few more documents, and he left in his vehicle, quiet and contained.

There was a brief moment when the media was following him, where he seemed willing to relent and address the nation, but at the urging of his attorney, he dropped that idea, and stuck to the plan.

King joins Marcial Mes as the only two members of Cabinet to face criminal charges. Mes, the PUP Representative for Toledo West at the time knocked down two children in 2007 - and was suspended from Cabinet until his case was decided on. His case was eventually thrown out.

King becomes the second UDP minister of state to be suspended for three months without pay. The same fate was dealt to Juan Coy. Without pay in this case means without pay for his Cabinet duties. He continues to receive his salary as a member of the house - which is about $3,500 dollars per month.

Even if he is convicted King would not lose his seat, because only those who are sentenced to jail terms are disqualified form sitting in the house. The charges in this case are too minor for that.