THREE family members were Friday arraigned before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for allegedly circulating fake U.S. currency totalling $14,650.

Dexter Thompson, a 26-year-old clothes vendor; Yuimmeni Lopez, a 26-year-old national of Venezuela; and 40-year-old Simone Thompson, the mother of Dexter Thompson, all pleaded not guilty to the 10 charges read.

The first charge against Dexter Thompson alleged that, on January 23, 2019, at Quail’s Optical, Thomas Street, Georgetown, he, knowing same to be forged, uttered to Clement Cumberbatch, US $1800.

The second charge alleged that, on May 14, 2019, at East Street, North Cummingsburg, he, knowing same to be forged and with intent to defraud, uttered US$3,850 to Rockmin Del Toro.

In court yesterday, Simone Thompson was also slapped with a total of five charges. Particulars of the first charge read that, on April 21, 2019, at Delph Street, Campbellville, she, knowing same to be forged and with intent to defraud, uttered US$300 to Zaheed Harrynarine. The other four charges stated that she, knowing same to be forged and with intent to defraud, uttered a total of US$3,550 to Wannita Atkins, Mondale Smith and Ravindra Rajnauth.

Lopez, who resides at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, along with the other two defendants, was faced with three charges. Particulars of the first charge alleged that on May 15, 2019, at Georgetown, she had in her possession US $2,200 worth of forged currency without lawful authority or excuse.

The second charge read that, on May 14, 2019, at East Street, Georgetown, she, knowing same to be forged and with intent to defraud, uttered US$2,500 to Rockmin Del Toro.
The final charge stated that, on January 25, 2019, she, knowing same to be forged, uttered US$1,800 to Clement Cumberbatch, at Quail’s Optical.

They were represented by Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade, who, in his bail application, told the court that Dexter Thompson is a father of two, while Lopez is the fiancée of Dexter. He further stated that his clients have fully cooperated with the police since investigations began and intend to remain fully committed to their responsibilities.

The prosecution, represented by Prosecutor Sanj Singh, made no objections to bail being granted to Dexter Thompson and Simone Thompson. However, he objected to bail being granted to Lopez, due to the fact that she is a foreign national and has not provided a permit to be in Guyana, which makes her a flight risk.

According to reports, the two women would go into places and pay with the fake currency, while all three of them would circulate the ‘currency’ at different places. A number of other charges are expected to be laid against them.

After evaluating submissions made by both the prosecution and defence attorney, the magistrate decided to grant Simone Thompson bail in the sum of $250,000 and Dexter Thompson in the sum of $200,000. However, Lopez would not be granted bail until she presents her permit to the court.

The matter has been adjourned to May 21, 2019.