A 42-year-old taxi driver was granted bail on Tuesday after being charged with making false bomb threats that caused a widespread panic at various locations, including the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.
The accused, Travis Damian Francis Roberts, a father of two of Princes Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to face the charge of false and dangerous telecommunication. Represented by attorney Everton Singh-Lammy, Roberts pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Prosecutors claim that on September 1, 2024, while at Camp Street, Georgetown, Roberts used his phone to make a false bomb threat, endangering the lives of staff and guests at the Marriott Hotel.
Despite objections from the prosecution, who raised concerns about the seriousness of the crime and the possibility of Roberts being a flight risk, Acting Chief Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty granted him $100,000 bail. Roberts was also ordered to report to the police twice a month as part of his bail condition.
Singh-Lammy argued that Roberts, who has no prior convictions, had been held in police custody for 100 hours—exceeding the legal limit of 72 hours—and plans to address this issue in the High Court. The defence lawyer emphasised Roberts’ willingness to clear his name, while the prosecutor pushed for bail to be denied because of the gravity of the offence.

The case has been adjourned until October 9, 2024.
Roberts’ arrest followed an investigation into a series of bomb threats made between August 31 and September 1, 2024. In addition to the Marriott Hotel, the threats targeted Caribbean Airlines at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Guyana National Stadium.
Investigators reported that Roberts admitted to making the threats after being approached by two Venezuelans, who allegedly offered him $15,000 for the task.

Roberts reportedly followed through with the plan while operating his taxi in Georgetown, even visiting the Marriott Hotel afterward to witness the emergency response.
His cellphone was seized during the investigation, and it was confirmed that the phone number used to issue the threats matched his own. The case is still under investigation as authorities continue searching for the two Venezuelans who allegedly orchestrated the scheme.