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Oleanvine & Kadeem S. Maynard want leniency in drug trafficking case

Ahead of the sentencing date for former BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) Managing Director Oleanvine Pickering Maynard and her son Kadeem S. Maynard, their defence has appealed to the court to consider leniency and reduced sentence for their clients. Photo: Facebook/File
The trial for Mr Andrew A. Fahie is scheduled for November 1, 2023. Photo: GIS/File
The trial for Mr Andrew A. Fahie is scheduled for November 1, 2023. Photo: GIS/File
MIAMI, Florida, USA- Ahead of the sentencing date for former BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) Managing Director Oleanvine Pickering-Maynard and her son Kadeem S. Maynard, their defence has appealed to the court to consider leniency and reduced sentence for their clients.

Pre-sentence investigation reports for both Oleanvine and Kadeem were filed with the court between late July and early August.

The Maynards were arrested, along with ex-Premier Andrew A. Fahie, on April 28, 2022, on drug and money laundering charges by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

In early June, both Maynards decided to plead guilty to the cocaine-trafficking and they both promised to cooperate fully with prosecutors in the case, and accepted the plea deal that at the time included a potential 10-year minimum sentence.

She has made a mistake’ & is sorry- James Pickering

On Monday, August 14, 2023, Pickering-Maynard’s defense attorney D’Arsey Houlihan filed eight letters from her loved ones, expressing their support and asking a judge for a lenient sentence.

The letters were written and signed by her brother James Pickering, sister Gloria Donovan, daughter Karisma Maynard, granddaughter Karissa John, friend Helen Patrick, and nephews Adrian, Vincent, and Wilton Frett.

In the letters, supporters described her as a loving family member and hard worker, and said she regrets her choice to participate in a drug conspiracy.

“She has made a mistake and I know that she is very sorry for what she has done. I know that the time she is inside, she has reflected on what she did and regretted it,” Pickering wrote.

Oleanvine Maynard is a widow after her husband died in 2015, and is also a grandmother to seven, “one of whom she has never met yet because of her absence,” daughter Karisma Maynard wrote.

Mr Maynard is a first-time offender- Lawyers

Last week, attorneys for Mr Maynard filed a motion in the courts requesting a variance.

In April of this year, the US Sentencing Commission decided to adopt several changes to current sentencing guidelines, which are scheduled to go into effect at the beginning of November. One of the changes was the creation of a new guideline, which provides for a reduction in “offense level” if a defendant meets certain criteria, including not having any points for criminal history, and not having used violence or credible threats of violence in the commission of the crime, among others. Additionally, because the crime did not result in death or serious bodily injury, nor was it a hate or sex crime and neither did it involve the possession, sale or transfer of firearms, the criteria for an offense level reduction is met.

Kadeem Maynard’s attorneys have argued that a different section of the sentencing guidelines was amended to advise that a non-custodial sentence is “generally advised” if certain defendants, of which Mr Maynard is one, receive an offense level reduction as previously described. They argue that because the younger Maynard is a first-time offender, it would be “appropriate for the court to grant a variance.”

A follow-up filing last week detailed the attorneys’ objections to the pre-sentence report that was submitted, namely that the report “fails to recommend a minor role reduction” in their client’s sentencing. All Mr Maynard did, the lawyers argued, was to introduce the Drug Enforcement Administration’s confidential informant to his mother Oleanvine, then the Managing Director of the BVI Port Authority. “Mr Maynard did not falsify paperwork at the BVI port,” the attorneys declared. “He did not have the ability to arrange for the preparation of paperwork at the port. Mr Maynard did not speak to anyone in the port to arrange for the transshipment of narcotics.”

No bribery!

In the filing, Mr Maynard’s role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy to which both he and his mother have pleaded guilty was extremely limited, lawyers say. “Mr Maynard did not bribe anyone,” the document reads, essentially pinning most of the active criminal plotting on Kadeem’s co defendants – his mother Oleanvine and former Premier Andrew Fahie himself. “Mr Maynard neither negotiated nor calculated the amount of money to be paid for the 3,000-kilo loads,” the objection reads, also noting that he was not one of those who traveled to Florida to collect cash from the confidential informant - that was Ms. Maynard and Mr. Fahie, who were arrested after boarding a plane filled with fake cash they were told was on its way to Tortola as their first payment in the scheme.

Letter of support from wife

To buttress their argument in favor of a reduced sentence, attorneys attached medical information for Mr Maynard’s three minor daughters, all of whom suffer from conditions that require ongoing treatment and monitoring. They also note that apart from the three children for whom he is responsible, Mr Maynard contributes to the upkeep of another minor daughter. Letters of support from his wife, two of his children, the mother of his one-year-old daughter, and his wife’s cousin were also attached to the filing. “Throughout the past year, it has been extremely difficult for my husband to face the fact that he has let his children down,” wrote Sherisma Fahie-Maynard, Kadeem’s wife. “He worries that they may grow up resenting him for not being present for them.”

His lawyers also reference Mr Maynard’s health concerns, and his educational goals. His attempts to complete the General Education Diploma, a certificate of secondary-level educational competence, have been hindered since his arrest, since this particular instructional program is not available to inmates of the detention center where he has been placed.

They detail his several legal entrepreneurial ventures in Tortola and in Baltimore, Maryland, and note that he has provided assistance to prosecutors in the case, and continues to cooperate. A letter from Mr. Maynard himself, in which he claims to have been tempted into criminality in an attempt to save his family home from repossession, was also attached to the filing. In the letter, Mr Maynard pleads for the imposition of a non-custodial sentence, either probation or home confinement, to allow him to assist with caring for the children within the household.

Lawyers want sentence reduction between 5-7 years

Rather than the current range of approximately 11-14 years calculated by the pre-sentence investigation report, Mr Maynard’s attorneys argue that all the reductions their client is entitled to should bring the sentencing range down to between 5 years, 10 months and 7 years, 3 months. Consideration of the other factors surrounding the case, Kadeem’s attorneys argue, should bring his sentence even lower than that.

Whether the court agrees with defense counsel’s arguments concerning how long, or even if, Mr Maynard will continue to be incarcerated will be known on August 21, the date both he and his mother Oleanvine will be sentenced.

Meanwhile, the trial of co-defendant Andrew A. Fahie is scheduled for November 1, 2023.

32 Responses to “Oleanvine & Kadeem S. Maynard want leniency in drug trafficking case”

  • WHAT!!!! (18/08/2023, 17:05) Like (102) Dislike (0) Reply
    Of course they regret what they did because they were caught and are in jail.
    If they had not been caught I am sure it would be business as usual.
    • Madussa (19/08/2023, 13:33) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
      I really detest when people use their children as an excuse for not being locked up. Didn’t he know his children needed him before he got caught or did he not care about that?
  • Mufeng (18/08/2023, 17:06) Like (54) Dislike (2) Reply
    Prison dem. No good for our territory.
  • ... (18/08/2023, 17:19) Like (30) Dislike (2) Reply
    Andrew saved da house when she was giving the job
  • lk (18/08/2023, 17:27) Like (56) Dislike (0) Reply
    I know mistake is a one time thing but it keeps repeating it self icall a willfull act not a mistake i am sorry
  • Rhythm up.. (18/08/2023, 17:28) Like (29) Dislike (3) Reply
    They will be granted leniency. .. By the time the sentence comes around they will already spent two yrs in jail, So they will get 5yrs including time spent. . Foy seems to be the big Fish in this conspiracy that the Feds really want..
  • This I know. (18/08/2023, 17:31) Like (27) Dislike (18) Reply
    When all the evidence and information of criminal and corrupt activities get revealed and if head coach is found guilty Britain will definitely take over.. .That's for sure !!!!
    • too much (18/08/2023, 20:24) Like (14) Dislike (14) Reply
      The UK is a master of corruption, we dont want more corrupt people to take over, prefer the devil you know.
  • Arrion (18/08/2023, 17:41) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
    I wish them luck getting the reduced sentences. I am sure they have learned their lessons, but they still must do the minimum amount of time which is better than 10 years or more. Best wishes to both of them.
  • Sad (18/08/2023, 18:15) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is very sad at all levels. This is what greed and selfishness does to us. Why would a mother enable her son in such activity without thinking of the consequences of their actions? This is very shameful and a lesson to all parents who are supporting and enabling their children in such activity.
  • Hmmmm (18/08/2023, 18:51) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Something does not add up in this case. Time will tell.
  • Undercover Observer (18/08/2023, 19:47) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Maynards and Fahie are in a real prisoner’s dilemma, ie, they don’t know what each other is saying and each one is looking for the best deal for his or herself..They don’t know if staying quiet or cooperating is the best deal. It is Al all about self-interest, which all of us act in even when do good things. This prisoner’s dilemma is a real life example of game theory.
    • @Undercover Observer (19/08/2023, 12:48) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Undercover Observer, a prisoner’s dilemma indeed. They are some mother’s child so they need some compassion. Nevertheless, they should have the errors of the ways as thousands of other Virgin Islanders do. Getting court shouldn’t be the light that set us straight. We have an obligation to abide by laws of the land. Drugs is a cancer on society which is eating away at the foundation of our society. The gray lining in this dark cloud is a that there is a lesson in the experience of the Maynards, ie, greed, selfishness, corrupt behavior.,Every day bucket go in well and one day the rope is going to burst. Another lesson is 10 days for the criminal and 1 day for the police/law enforcement but that 1 can ruin the rest of your life. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Nonetheless, whether they are innocent or guilty use the time to turn life around, contributing, not taking from society.
  • Curious (18/08/2023, 20:06) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    When is their sentencing?
    • oh lord (19/08/2023, 07:04) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      To Curious

      You got to be some sort of retard that lacks understanding in reading fundamental.
      • @ oh lord (19/08/2023, 13:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        You need to cool it down, dread! You going get a stroke! I didn't read the arrticle! Ain't had time! It was a simple question! You didn't even have to respond! What"? You ain't got nothing to do but tear people down?
      • BuzzBvi (19/08/2023, 15:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        I'm Curious. What did they do?
      • oh lord (19/08/2023, 18:47) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        To Curious

        Ain't had time to read article but had time to comment? WOW!. Missed me with that BS. To come here and ask a question without reading the article is foolishness. Yup you're a different type of human yea. See ya!
  • I still (18/08/2023, 23:39) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Pity them
    It’s sad that they got caught uo for the love of Money ...
    I can’t judge them I am not God almighty judging is for him and him alone.
    I would hope they’ve learned from this big mistake I’m sure they regret and I’m sure they are repeating in their heads why did I ?

  • Faithful (19/08/2023, 02:13) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    They should have thought about that before deciding to engage in illegal activity. They did the crime now they should do the time with the same level of energy
  • Outsider (19/08/2023, 08:00) Like (26) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why is mr maynard so interesting in acquiring a school leaving education. When he was in BVI High School he was not interested because he could behave and disrespect teachers and his mother would come to tear them down. Because "her son" was not to be ruffled with. I would say let them both stay over there and teck dem punishment! PERIODT!
  • cap (19/08/2023, 09:19) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    It’s all good when they’re taking cash and destroying our society. Everyone is sorry only when they get caught, where were your morals when you were doing the crime?
  • resident (19/08/2023, 09:48) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    no mercy they betrayed this territory and its people, they brought shame on our names it is time they paid for their crimes
  • WOW (19/08/2023, 11:11) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Everytime someone innocent speaks up about crime in the community some persons call it snitching. A law abiding citizen can not snitch.

    This on the other hand is classic snitching. The snitchards want mercy now haha. Criminals singing on criminals is the definition of snitching.
  • HMMM (19/08/2023, 15:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Outsider The education thing is curious - maybe he needs the piece of paper to qualify for something. The other curious thing: he has a wife (who wrote to support him) with three dependent daughters, but also a one-year old daughter (he's been in jail well over a year). Whose daughter is that?
    • @hmmm (21/08/2023, 09:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      A one year old daughter - it takes 9 months of pregnancy before a child is born plus have 12 more months of life on this earth to turn a year. Do the math!
  • Reduction my ass (19/08/2023, 18:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    "...not having used violence or credible threats of violence in the commission of the crime, among others. Additionally, because the crime did not result in death or serious bodily injury".

    If you are involved in international cocaine trafficking, then you are involved in all of the above either directly or indirectly. People die every hour of the day for that bale to exist and move.
  • oh ho (20/08/2023, 08:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Married? If he's married then his Gospel artist of a girlfriend needs to explain a few things to the church. They love to play holier than though and out here playing with God. I'm sure she knows adultery is a sin. Smh.
  • smh (21/08/2023, 09:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    They should have thought better about the consequences. Keep they all in jail as it will also serve as an example. Giving them a break will only show that being a criminal can be a good thing!!
  • No Tears (21/08/2023, 11:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    No tears for either of them. The sad tale of woe from the children is par for the course. One can probably even find template letters on line so one doesn't have to be creative in writing how awful it will be to see mummy tossed in the slammer.
  • Really? (22/08/2023, 08:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    They are NOT first time offenders, this is just the first time they got caught! They should be ashamed of themselves to ask the court for mercy, it’s not like they facing the death sentence. They did the crime and would have continued to do it had they not been caught. The boastful, arrogant, greedy nature of both will have them right back doing more shit!! If they are truly sorry they would just take the 10 yrs and shut the hell up, because we know their days are numbered.


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