2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Who is Joseph Camp?

The first time many of us got to know of Joseph Camp was when he went live on Facebook following the shooting of his brother-in-law, eighteen-year-old Jaylon Jones, earlier this month. Jones was shot by Belize City police following the murder of twenty-six-year-old Charles James on Tuesday, April 11, near his home on Consuelo Street in Belize City. Jones was later charged with James’ murder.

Jaylon Jones charged with the murder of Charles James

James was considered a respected member of the Belize Coast Guard. He was the nephew of the late Winston “Tanga” James, a figure known for his gang affiliations. However, Police Commissioner Chester Williams maintained that his murder was not gang-related and was instead driven by a dispute over a romantic partner.

When police arrived on the scene, chaos erupted. This led to a shootout between police officers and the suspects. Jones sustained a gunshot wound to the foot amid the chaos. But Jones’s family complained about his detention. They, including Camp, asserted that he was wrongly identified and had no connection to the altercation besides being caught in the midst of it. Camp decided to go live from the Raccoon Street Police Station, saying that his brother-in-law had been shot and that police officers were “purposely trying to keep him dead.” He also says that the police officers assaulted him. He repeatedly tells the officers that he is an American citizen. Camp was subsequently charged with spreading false news.

*Joseph Camp appearing in court with Attorney Sharon Pitts.*

He appeared in court in Belize City with his attorney, Sharon Pitts. He pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a fine of six hundred Belize dollars or be sentenced to three months behind bars.

In one of his social media posts, he says, “Imagine the meltdown when they realize that it is $600bzd which is equal to only $300usd. Since I have no criminal history and very high and good character it was the minimal it could be.”

*Joseph Camp explains that 600 Belize dollars is 300 US dollars.*

Camp has a criminal history in the U.S.A. He was asked about it on Friday. He said, “In 2010, I was arrested for changing my grades at the University of Central Missouri. I thought that it would be easier to change my grades. The police thought it would be a felony. Three years later, I was acquitted of all of those charges, except for a minor offense.”

*Former Student Sentenced for Computer Hacking at University of Central Missouri*

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Missouri, Camp was sentenced to three years in federal prison without parole for his involvement in a computer hacking conspiracy. Camp, along with Daniel J. Fowler, gained unauthorised access to the UCM computer network, obtaining sensitive information and attempting to alter grades and transfer money to their student accounts. They also developed a virus to infect UCM computers and remotely access webcams and email accounts. Camp pleaded guilty to these charges in April 2013. The court also ordered Camp to pay $61,500 in restitution.

Camp says he is a software developer.

UN Security Council Convenes as Guyana-Venezuela Tensions Escalate

The United Nations Security Council has voiced its concern regarding the escalating tensions between Guyana and Venezuela over the Essequibo region. This area, spanning approximately 160,000 square kilometres of densely forested land, constitutes two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and is inhabited by around 125,000 of its 800,000 citizens.

The roots of this dispute trace back to the 19th century, when Guyana was under colonial rule. Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo region dates back to 1841, when it asserted that the British Empire had encroached on Venezuelan territory during the acquisition of the territory of then-British Guiana from the Netherlands. Venezuela has contested the validity of the 1899 Paris Arbitral Award, which delineated the border between Venezuela and British Guiana.

In response to recent developments, Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, submitted a letter to the UN Security Council on April 5, requesting a meeting to address the situation. President Ali highlighted Venezuela’s enactment of the “Organic Law for the Defence of Guayana Esequiba,” signed by President Nicolás Maduro on April 3, as evidence of Venezuela’s intent to annex a significant portion of Guyana’s sovereign territory.

The Security Council convened in private on Tuesday to deliberate on these recent developments in the territorial dispute.

Belize’s coconut industry set to flourish with new FAO global initiative

The FAO’s One Country, One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative has kicked off its inception workshop, marking the beginning of a comprehensive project aimed at bolstering Belize’s coconut value chain. This global endeavor will facilitate the formulation of a thorough value chain analysis and a three-year sector development plan specifically tailored for coconuts in Belize.

On April 9, stakeholders from various sectors, including government bodies, non-governmental organisations, civil society representatives, project task force members, prominent technical experts, OCOP focal points, and FAO personnel from 11 project countries, congregated virtually to inaugurate this transformative project. The inception workshop focused on delineating project objectives, anticipated outcomes, major activities, and scrutinising the detailed project implementation roadmap and budget.

Participants at the OCOP Inception Workshop

The OCOP initiative, a flagship program of the FAO, is engineered to aid Member Countries in transitioning towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems by fortifying the value chains of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs). By championing sustainable practices in the production, storage, processing, and marketing of selected SAPs, OCOP contributes significantly to the empowerment of smallholders and family farms, in alignment with FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–31 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Funded by the FAO Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC), the global project is slated for implementation from March 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025, with a total allocation of USD 1 million. Eleven countries stand to benefit from this initiative, each focusing on promoting a distinct SAP. These countries and their chosen SAPs encompass:

Belize (coconut) and Jamaica (ginger) from Latin America and the Caribbean.
– South Sudan (sorghum), Togo (rice), and Zambia (onion) from Africa.
– Bhutan (Quinoa) and Nepal (large cardamom) from Asia and the Pacific.
– Kyrgyzstan (walnut) and Tajikistan (apricot) from Europe and Central Asia.
– Algeria (fig) and Lebanon (pulse) from the Near East and North Africa.

The primary aim of this project is to augment food security, livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and income generation for rural communities through the sustainable development of special agricultural product value chains.

With the participation of over 110 stakeholders, the inception workshop provided a platform for deliberating project implementation and exchanging challenges and priorities concerning the OCOP initiative at regional and national levels. To date, approximately 15 million has been mobilised to support 54 countries.

Activities in Belize entail the mobilization of a national task force and the formulation of a collaborative work plan in tandem with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise since the launch of the regional OCOP.

Three Guatemalans Detained in Chiquibul

Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) is reporting that three Guatemalan men were detained on April 11 in the Chiquibul Forest in Belizean territory. They are Rigoberto Caal (51 years old), Hector Canan Hernandez (48 years old), and Isaias Caal Coc (32 years old). Each individual was found to be in possession of a firearm, including a .22 rifle, a 16 gauge shotgun, and a homemade wooden handgun. Live ammunition was discovered in their possession.

The three individuals were detained and escorted to the San Ignacio Police Station via an extensive route through Rio Blanco, Ceibo Chico, Natural Arch, Tapir Camp, and onwards to San Ignacio, where it is anticipated that charges will be filed by the Police Department, Immigration Department, and the Forest Department.

According to the FCD, it was determined that the individuals were located 400 meters within the boundaries of the Chiquibul National Park. They are from the nearby village of Monte Los Olivos and were en route to a plantation. Given the presence of firearms, it is likely that they were also engaging in hunting activities.

Another Murder in Belize City

Thirty-three-year-old Michael Usher was fatally shot on Monday night in Belize City. It happened a few minutes before eight o’clock on Flamboyant Street. Investigators say that Usher was walking when he was approached by an unknown man who fired several shots in his direction. Usher was shot several times and pronounced dead on arrival.

According to reports, police are looking for two suspects.

PM Briceño on Andre Perez Investigation: No Laws Were Broken

Prime Minister John Briceño was asked this morning about the investigation into allegations made by attorney Wendy Auxillou against Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez.

In August 2023, News Five broke the story of a sitting minister of government being accused of sexual harassment by a female attorney. Later that month, a release from the government was issued, stating that PM Bricecño “has accepted a request from Hon. Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, for a leave of absence from the Cabinet.”

That release also stated that “during his leave of absence, an investigation will be conducted into the recent allegations against Minister Perez. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs will advise the Prime Minister on whether there has been any actionable wrongdoing.”

Today, when asked if there was an actual investigation, PM John Briceño told reporters, “The investigation was that no laws were broken. You could question the judgement of the person, but no laws were broken that came to light.”

The PM stated that no one provided evidence to the Office of the Attorney General.

Auxillou alleges that no one from the Attorney General’s office approached her for the evidence she says she has. Auxillou has yet to file an official police report against the minister.

Perez denies all allegations. He was reinstated as Minister of The Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management in April 3, 2024.

Dangriga Businessman Shot Dead at his Home in Dangriga

Tonight, a businessman from Dangriga is dead after gun violence visited him at his home on Saturday night. And while police say he was party to a few court matters over business transactions, and have detained several persons, they are still looking for the suspect who pulled the trigger on Darren Taylor. The forty-three-year-old co-owner of A&D’s Car Rental collapsed and died at his Oak Street residence moments after he was shot. News Five’s Marion Ali went on that story and filed this report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Forty-three-year-old Darren Taylor, also known as “Dalla Coin” was gunned down at forty-four Oak Street, in Dangriga. On Saturday night around seven-thirty, Taylor was here on his veranda talking to a friend when his killer approached them from the back of the yard. But at the sight of the gun, the friend ran off, but Taylor could not flee and was shot in the upper body. News Five understands that he was waiting on the veranda waiting for his common-law-wife to arrive with the house key when he was ambushed. Today, ACP Hilberto Romero said that police are looking for one suspect.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Cmdr., Eastern Division

“On Saturday, the 13th of April, police responded to a shooting at Oak Street, Dangriga, where upon arrival the saw the motionless body of Darren Taylor, 43 years, with several gunshot injuries. Information is he was at the veranda of his house when a male person came and fired shots towards him. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. We are seeking one suspect in regards to this murder.”

One of the bullets struck Taylor’s SUV that was parked in the yard. His family has declined comment, but a few off-camera reports that we have picked up about Taylor suggest that he has had some conflicts over land and money issues. ACP Romero spoke to this.

ACP Hilberto Romero

“He had several matters in the courts as well as outside of the courts that he was dealing with, so we’re looking at all of those. All information we have is over business dealings. That is the information we are following up on.”

Police have detained several persons, but they do not believe they have the gunman at this point. Meanwhile, Dangriga Mayor, Robert Mariano is concerned over the fact that the community has been visited by gun violence once again.

Robert Mariano, Mayor, Dangriga

“All I want to say at this time is that I along with the council condemn any form of violence as such, like murder and so on within our community here in Dangriga. What we need to do in our community is to find ways to deal with our issues whenever they arise but that is all I can say for now in relation to that shooting because I do not have the facts. Dangriga is a very peaceful community, and I want to ask the people of Dangriga to let us remain that way, to be as peaceful as we can and to continue to be law-abiding citizens.”

Taylor was reportedly co-owner of A & D Car Rentals and several of other properties in that municipality. Marion Ali for News Five.

Placencia Man Murdered In His Car

In another act of gun violence in southern Belize, a Placencia resident was murdered this weekend while sitting inside his vehicle. Reports are that on Sunday, thirty-two-year-old Roy Burgess was giving a ride to an acquaintance, twenty-six-year-old Maya James, when the two were approached by a male individual who proceeded to fire several shots in their direction, resulting in the death of Burgess and injury to James. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the full report.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

In the early hours of Sunday morning, April fourteenth, Roy Burgess pulled off to the side of mile twenty-two on the Placencia Road near the Finca Beach Villa entrance, preparing to drop off his friend, Maya James, when the two were approached by a gunman who opened fired on them. James suffered an injury to her face and was taken to the hospital where she is still receiving treatment. Unfortunately, Burgess succumbed to his injury. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero provided us with some more details.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Easter Division

“On Sunday, the fourteenth of April 2024, police responded to a shooting incident at Placencia. Upon arrival, they saw the motionless body of a male person later identified as Roy Burgess with gunshot injuries. And Maya James, 26 years, was seen with a gunshot injury to the face. James was taken for medical treatment and is presently recovering. Roy Burgess was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Information is that both of them were in a vehicle in the area. When he and the person came and fired several shots towards the direction, causing the fatal injuries to Roy Burgess and the injury to James. We are seeking one suspect in regards to this murder investigation.”

According to Romero, police believe that this incident was due to a domestic dispute, however, they noted that Burgess does not have any prior domestic reports that they are aware of. At this time, they are seeking one male suspect. The incident occurred near the entrance to Finca Beach Villa, where a friend of Burgess, Andrea Miksic resides. She said that she had been socializing with friends at the time of the shooting.

Andrea Miksic, Friend of Deceased

“Well, I was getting ready to go to bed. We were playing dominoes up here by the sea on my porch and we heard what sounded like, I heard one gunshot, but somebody else here thought there were three.”

Britney Gordon

“And what happened immediately following hearing the gunshots?”

Andrea Miksic

“Oh, we thought we weren’t sure it was a gunshot and we thought maybe somebody was messing around or like we weren’t that concerned right away and then we saw some cars up there, and when we went to check, it was a crime scene. I didn’t know it was Roy.”

Britney Gordon

“So reports are saying that he was dropping someone off in this area. Did you know that he was coming around? Were you expecting him?”

Andrea Miksic

“No, not at all. I heard he had been at the point.”

Miksic said that Burgess’ sudden death was shocking, as she did not know him to be involved in any trouble.

Andrea Miksic

“He was a really nice guy. I mean, I didn’t know him well enough to know if he had any bad history or anything, but I hadn’t heard about anything and you know the way people talk here, if there was something going on, there would have been rumors about it. But, yeah. He was, he was a really nice guy. I never knew him to be involved in anything like shady or he gave me rides a few times.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Joseph Camp Pleads Guilty to Spreading False News

Joseph Anthony Camp who, late last week, claimed that the police had shot his brother-in-law and then denied him medical attention pleaded guilty to Spreading False News today after the police department alleges that Camps’s claim was totally untrue. The thirty-nine-year-old American national was fined six hundred dollars when he appeared in court. He is the brother-in-law of eighteen-year-old Jaylon Jones, who was shot by police on April tenth. That night, Camp went live on Facebook and alleged that Jones was shot by police and was being denied medical access. And while during that post he indicated that he intended to sue the police department for violating Jones’ rights, he appeared today with attorney, Sharon Pitts to face his charge. Camp pleaded guilty and Pitts, in mitigation, pleaded to the court, seeking mercy for Camp, who she said did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty at the onset, that Camp is a first-time offender with no previous convictions, and that prior to this incident, he was a law-abiding citizen who has donated to a basketball tournament and has assisted with donation to a hospital in Belize. She also argued that the charge for which he was before the court was a misdemeanour. Camp must pay the six-hundred-dollar fine, plus a five-dollar cost of court by June twenty-eighth or he will spend three months imprisonment.

Two Dead in Fatal RTA Near Jacintoville

A fatal road traffic accident claimed the lives of two persons in southern Belize on Sunday. The deadly collision happened in Toledo District near the Jacintoville junction where two vehicles including a pickup truck crashed head-on along the Southern Highway. The massive impact of the collision left Kelvin Selgado and Yofeni Benguche with mortal injuries. According to the driver of the pickup, the vehicle driven by Kelvin Selgado veered into his lane, causing the accident. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero provided additional details.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday, April fourteenth police responded to a fatal road traffic accident at the Jacintoville Bridge in the Toledo District. Upon their arrival, they saw Chevy Equinox vehicle and a Chevy Silverado pickup extensively damaged. Persons were taken to the hospital for treatment. Police made checks at the hospital where Kevin Selgado and Yofani Benguche were pronounced dead. An investigation is being carried out into this fatal RTA. Information is that the Silverado was being driven by Danny Edwards and he reported that whilst crossing the bridge, the other vehicle entered his lane, causing the accident.”

Reporter

“Is there any indication that alcohol, low visibility or vehicle malfunction may have caused it?”

Hilberto Romero

“We do not know at this time. Tests will be done and the investigation will reveal that thereafter.”