Judge Directs Jury to Acquit Man of Soliciting Sex From Teen Boy

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A man who served five years in prison for molesting a 14-year-old boy was on Monday acquitted of soliciting sex from another boy of the same age.

Justice Guillimina Archer-Minns directed a jury of eight women and one man to acquit 52-year-old Fred Williams of attempted procuration after finding that the evidence did not support the charge.

Prosecutors alleged that on February 23, 2024, Williams approached a 14-year-old boy at the Shell Gas Station on Baillou Hill and Robinson Roads gave him $5 and bought him food before having a sexually suggestive conversation with the child.

Prosecutors contended that Williams’ intention to have unlawful sexual intercourse with the minor was foiled when a policeman showed up.

Williams was accused of the crime soon after his release from prison for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor of the same sex, stemming from an incident that took place on February 7, 2017.

Williams was convicted on February 8, 2019 of molesting a teenager whom he had befriended.