Gunman jailed, accomplices remanded
Jason Hunte and Michael Vanderstoop
Jason Hunte and Michael Vanderstoop

A 30-year-old Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara resident was on Wednesday jailed after pleading guilty for possession of arms and ammunition, stemming from the recent bust while his two co-accused were remanded to prison for the crime.
Michael Vanderstoop was sentenced to two years imprisonment along with a fine of

$100,000 for the offences after pleading guilty to the two charges when they were read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The alleged mastermind, Jason Hunte, 32 and Terrence Frank, 33 both of Samatta Point Grove, EBD, pleaded not guilty to the two charges and were remanded to prison until September 27. The charges against the men alleged that on September 6,2018, at Samatta Point Public Road, they had a 9mm Ruger Pistol and a 45 Colt Pistol. It is also alleged that on the same date, the trio had six rounds of 9mm ammunition along with four rounds of .45 ammunition.

Hunte and Frank were represented by attorneys-at- law George Thomas and Patrice Henry respectively.

Terrence Frank

The attorney made an application for bail for their clients on the ground that no firearm was found in their possession. The lawyers contended that their clients were only passengers in a motor vehicle, which was stopped by the police and the said items were found inside.

According to the facts presented in court by Police Prosecutor Jillian Simons, on the day in question the men were arrested following an intelligence-led operation by the police. On September 6, around 09:30hrs, the police intercepted motor car PSS 4118 along the Samatta Point Public Road with five men inside.

Simons noted that both Vanderstoop and Hunte were in the back seat, while Frank was in the front passenger seat. The two other men in the vehicle are being used as witnesses in the case. The prosecutor noted that Hunte was the alleged mastermind and he along with the two defendants were en route to rob a supermarket in the area.

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