Wanted American man enters Jamaica by boat

An American man, who is said to be wanted in the US for murder, robbery and assault and who reportedly entered the island illegally in 2010, was remanded into custody when he appeared in the St James Parish Court last Friday.

The accused, Caesar Dias, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty to illegal entry.

Reports are that on December 4, an investigator attached to the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC) got intelligence that Dias, who illegally entered the island in 2010, was working as a barber in Montego Bay.

The lawman went to the barbershop and accosted Dias. It is said that he was asked if he possessed valid identification and travel documents and he said: "No."

CONFESSED

Dias was then transported to the Freeport Police Station where he was interviewed. It is said that he later confessed that he was actually from Miami and that he came to the island illegally by boat in 2010.

Further investigations revealed that Dias was being sought by US authorities for murder, robbery and assault.

During the court sitting last Friday, the prosecution informed Presiding Judge Justice Kaysha Grant that a representative attached to the US Embassy was scheduled to attend. However, no one from the embassy was present.

Grant then ordered that the accused be remanded into custody until December 14 when he will be sentenced. Grant noted that this will give the US Embassy representative an opportunity to attend the hearing.