Charges Dropped Against Key Witness In Police Corruption Trials

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The DPP has withdrawn charges against a man accused of taking part in a $1.475 million heist.

Director of Public Prosecutions Cordell Frazier issued a nolle prosequi in the trial of Akeil Holmes, days after his trial began in the Magistrates’ Court.

Holmes, a key prosecution witness in related police corruption trials, faced charges of conspiracy to commit stealing, stealing and receiving $40,000 of the stolen money.

The charges stemmed from the theft of several money bags from a Toyota Harrier at the Odyssey Airport on November 2, 2023.

ICS Security guard Jerry Butler was tasked with transporting the money that was destined for Bank of the Bahamas branches in Freeport, Bimini and Cat Island.

Butler disclosed that he was transporting the money in his personal vehicle and did not have an armed escort.

Holmes,  who was employed with ICS at the time of the theft,  is a witness in the corruption case of former CID chief Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson.

Chief Superintendent Johnson, who resigned during an investigation into his conduct, is accused of stealing $90,000 from Holmes, while Sergeant Deangelo Rolle is accused of abetment to stealing.

Johnson is also charged along with defense attorney Bjorn Ferguson. The pair faces charges of bribery and assisting another suspect in the theft, Michael Fox Jr,  in evading prosecution.

In another case, Holmes alleges that Corporal Chavez Sawyer, Constable Benson Miller, Sergeant Nelson Miller and Sergeant Deangelo Rolle demanded money from him on November 3, 2023.

The officers are charged with attempted extortion.