KINGSTON: A Customs Officer has been convicted for Breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act for taking US$2,000 from an American citizen.
Twenty-nine-year-old Michael Shaw was convicted in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
It was alleged that in February 2014 ambiguities were discovered in relation to monies in the possession of a US citizen who is Jamaican by birth who was entering the island.
The police say the money should have been declared on some of the individual’s documents.
The money was confiscated and he was brought to an office at the Norman Manley International Airport by Shaw where he was questioned by Shaw’s supervising Officer.
He proved that he had obtained his money by legitimate means, and Shaw was ordered to release the man and return his money.
However, instead Shaw reportedly corruptly solicited US$1,400 eventually accepting US$2,000 from the man.
A report was made to the then Anti-Corruption Branch and an investigation was launched.
A file was sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions who ruled that Shaw be criminally charged for Breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act.
Shaw was subsequently arrested and charged.
He is to be sentenced on July 8.
