Erickson hid for 7 months, travelled to Anguilla, escaped arrest 3 times- Court
Erickson turned himself into the Road Town Police Station on Sunday, August 30, 2020, and was brought before the Magistrate’s Court on Monday, August 31, 2020, shortly before noon.
Senior Magistrate Ms Tamia N. Richards presided over the matter, while Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mrs Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit represented Attorney General Baba F. Aziz who will handle the matter on behalf of the US but was in Cabinet at the time of the court matter.
For the defence, Mr Patrick D. Thompson and Ms Reynella Rawlins represented Erickson.
Matter
According to the magistrate, Erickson is accused of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments from outside of the United States and conspiracy to conceal over $10,000 from outside the United States.
She said documents from the US, allege that Erickson and several others were smuggling money ‘in bulk to the US’ and he was indicted by a grand jury in the US for those allegations.
“His co-accused are said to be in the custody of the US. I have a document that seems to indicate that there are five counts of smuggling of money. The document from the grand jury also indicate in summary the manner in which the money was smuggled to the US, how it was located by the officers in the US and it was on that basis the arrest was issued and the only issue we have, we have to await the formal extradition request,” Magistrate Richards said.
No Bail
Bail was denied to Erickson, and he will be on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison in Balsam Ghut.
The magistrate said her decision came after listening to both sides on the subject.
Thompson made his application for his client, stating that the self-employed local is the father of three and has no previous run-ins with the law.
He said, the serious nature of the offences, does not dis-entitle his client from being granted bail.
He also noted that his client turned himself in, and that should prove that he is not a flight risk. Thompson then implored the court to grant his client bail and attach conditions such as a door-step curfew.
However, the DPP said since January 18, 2020, the accused has been able to avoid capture three times with the assistance of his colleagues. She said the first time was on January 18, 2020, at The Curve Nightclub, the second was at Belmont Estate in West End and the third time was in Georges Northside.
He was also able to slip through the borders and go to Anguilla without the authorities of either country the wiser.
“It is still very easy for him to leave the jurisdiction,” she stated, adding that he has access to vessels and even though the borders are closed, he would be able to leave the Territory.
“The intelligence is that Mr Erickson had previously, with counsel Valerie Gordon and she on his behalf had arranged with Inspector Gilbert Charles for him to have turned himself in late July,” she remarked.
Nonetheless, Erickson never came as promised.
The DPP also stated that he might get ‘cold feet’ when it is time to attend the extradition hearing, and she does not believe that there were any conditions that would ensure his return to court.
His matter was adjourned to September 16, 2020.
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33 Responses to “Erickson hid for 7 months, travelled to Anguilla, escaped arrest 3 times- Court”
No law against playing hide and seek in British Court.
Fight extradition... US prisons are covid crazy.... inhumane to extradite to them conditions from covid free prison.
In all extradition cases, the judge has to consider whether or not extradition would be compatible with the requested person’s human rights. If the judge finds that extradition would not be compatible with the requested person’s human rights, he cannot order that person’s extradition and must discharge them. Common challenges include claims regarding family or private life in the UK AND PRISON CONDITIONS IN THE REQUESTING STATE
My last post was copy and pasted from the Crown Prosecution Service website. (CPS)
I am not saying he doesn't deserve what is coming from them he upset here. He is going to have to take his licks like a man. Just saying, no one deserves to face corrupt, hypocritical, racist US justice system. They cannot keep him safe from covid, they cannot keep themselves or us safe from covid!! It could be a death sentence for him.
Those who make the laws don't follow them, but we have to... He will be following the law. The law of the BVI not the USA and if he beats extradition, I will be pleased because right now I have no time for the American Government or their bs.
He needs to retain himself a good barrister.