Visitor fined 50K for bullet

An American man who was arrested after a bullet was found in his luggage at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay received a J$50,000 fine when he appeared in the St James Parish Court on June 27.

Kelvin Jacobs, of a Baton Rouge address in Louisiana, pleaded guilty to illegal possession of ammunition when he appeared before presiding judge Sandria Wong-Small.

The court was told that on June 23, Jacobs was preparing to board a flight to the United States at the Sangster International Airport when his luggage was scanned at the security checkpoint.

During the search, a 9mm Luger bullet was found in one of the bag's pockets.

When cautioned, Jacobs said, "Oh, that's illegal here? I didn't know it was in there," following which he was arrested and charged.

Jacobs' lawyer, Albert Morgan, told the judge that the defendant, who is a licensed firearm holder, had come to Jamaica on vacation with family members and is the legal owner of a firearm in Louisiana.

"He had emptied the bag in which his gun had been carried, and he thought he had emptied it completely. He didn't bring this ammunition here intentionally," Morgan added.

In handing down the sentence, Wong-Small advised Jacobs to take more responsibility in handling firearms and ammunition.