Emerson Garnett, a thirty-four-year-old from Freetown Road, Belize City, faced new charges of sexual assault and wounding in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court this morning. Previously a murder suspect, Garnett has been in custody since Sunday. He appeared before Magistrate Ludlow Black without representation and pleaded not guilty to both charges. The allegations stem from a domestic incident on April twentieth, 2025, where Garnett allegedly grabbed the private parts of a thirty-eight-year-old woman and caused her injury. The victim, who was once in a relationship with Garnett, reported that he tried to hug her, and when she refused, he threatened to kill her and himself. Garnett then allegedly assaulted her, punching her several times in the face. Despite hearing the victim’s account, Garnett maintained his innocence. Magistrate Black informed him that he need not explain further since he had pleaded not guilty. With no objection to bail from the prosecutor, conditions were set for Garnett’s release, including no contact with the victim or her family, staying one hundred yards away from her, and reporting to the Queen Street Police Station every Friday. Garnett met bail and is due back in court on June eleventh, 2025.
On Wednesday night, we reported the shocking news that a UB lecturer, Doctor Pio Saqui, has been placed on administrative leave while investigations are conducted into multiple allegations of sexual offenses. Docotr Saqui has been accused of committing these offenses against students over the past decade. Today, the University of Belize announced that several students have reported sexual harassment by a university lecturer, whose name has not been disclosed. The university is taking these allegations seriously and is following its established policies and procedures. The lecturer has been placed on administrative leave, and a full investigation is underway. The disciplinary committee will review the case. On our Wednesday night newscast, we reported that the allegations against Doctor Pio Saqui date back to when William Neal was Dean of Student Affairs. News Five has learned that Neal did not stay silent and reported the allegations to the higher-ups at the institution. However, one victim chose to withdraw her claim, wanting to move on. Today, former UB Student Government President Eric Sanchez told News Five that sexual misconduct allegations have been common at the university since he was there in 2010.
Eric Sanchez
Eric Sanchez, Former President, U.B Student Government
“There were several accusations made by numerous students at that time, all females against numerous lecturers – I think three lecturers at the university at that time that then led to a flyer being circulated throughout the university in 2010, 2011, thereabout. The flyer made accusations of sexual harassment upon these three individuals as I was serving as the student body president. I then told them that I do believe that this needed to be investigated further because of accusations that myself had heard from some students. Students who, to this point, have not come out forward with the accusation, at least that I’ve seen. and for me, I believe that. The explanation at that point, if I can recall correctly, was that they’ve been in, they’ve been investigations. But when it came to the point of a formal complaint being lodged, that’s when there was some apprehension, reasonable apprehension, because there was no system in place at that time or maybe even now to protect the student and there was a fear of repercussion. A victimization by individuals who were being accused of these acts. My recollection is that the university made mention in that meeting that without formal legal complaint being, being made. There was little that they could do that would not that would allow them under their processes to act a point, but I also think that the students did not feel comfortable going through a legal process or be named because I think you have to be in front of your accuser or your accuser has to know who you are for it to be a legal challenge. But because there is no system in place to protect these victims, there was a fear and a reasonable fear that they didn’t want to come forward.”
A prominent faculty member at the University of Belize has been placed on administrative leave due to numerous sexual offense allegations. News Five has obtained documents showing that for over ten years, students have been writing to the office of student affairs about the alleged behavior. Tonight, Dr. Pio Saqui, a lecturer and President of the University of Belize’s Faculty and Staff Union, is at home while the university investigates the allegations. Although the probe is in its early stages, the complaints are numerous and detailed. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
News Five has confirmed that Dr. Pio Saqui, a faculty member at the University of Belize and President of the University of Belize’s Faculty and Staff Union, has been placed on administrative leave following numerous sexual offense allegations. These allegations date back to 2010. In one instance, a student wrote to former Dean of Student Affairs, William Neal, seeking help. She stated that, quote, there are several other victims of sexual harassment, end quote. She claimed that Saqui sent her a friend request on Facebook and then began sending frequent messages, calling her his favorite student, saying she was pretty, and that he had a crush on her.
The student even provided printed copies of the messages Saqui allegedly sent, which included comments like, quote, you how bad you are with me… now I am sad… congrats…. be a good girlfriend and always respect yourself, end quote, and, quote, if you need a secret hug… I am here always, end quote. When she ignored him, he responded that she was hurting his feelings. She also alleged that Saqui repeatedly invited her to his house for a drink, which she found unprofessional and uncomfortable, affecting her interest in the class. A second student wrote to Neal in 2015 with similar allegations. She accepted his friend request on Facebook and would ask him about assignments and tests, but he would always respond by telling her not to stress about tests because they would be easy and that she should come to his house to relax and drink. She also alleged that he would be with her even when her boyfriend was around.
The latest report against Saqui came in 2025. The letter to the Office of Student Affairs detailed numerous alleged behaviors amounting to sexual harassment and misconduct, including unwanted touching, unsolicited and persistent comments about students’ appearance and bodies, repeated requests for hugs and physical contact, and invasive questions about students’ personal relationships, sexual activity, and home life. The author of the letter requested that Saqui be removed from classroom and field activities pending investigation, that a confidential and impartial investigation be conducted, and that students be protected from retaliation and receive necessary support. The letter also noted that his alleged actions violate the university’s student handbook and the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act. It included testimonies from four female students who recounted instances where he allegedly asked for hugs, held their hands inappropriately, made sexual remarks, engaged in unsolicited shoulder massages, and sent uncomfortable messages.
Today, the University of Belize told News Five, quote, we have received the allegations. We are taking them seriously. We are engaging transparent and thorough protocols of the UB policies with the intent for a speedy and fair resolution based on the necessary investigation, end quote. Notably, an official police report is yet to be filed. We will continue to follow these reports and the university’s investigation. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
Just before news time, we spoke with the Minister of Human Development, Thea Garcia-Ramirez, who confirmed that her ministry is offering support to the alleged victims from the University of Belize. She also revealed that the Office of the Attorney General will provide legal aid to the students. Before you hear her comments, it’s important to note that we have made multiple attempts to contact Doctor Pio Saqui for his response, but our calls and messages have gone unanswered. Here’s what Minister Garcia-Ramirez had to say.
On the Phone: Thea Garcia Ramirez, Minister of Human Development
“Earlier this week, we received a letter from a spokesperson alleging to be speaking on behalf of a couple of young women students from the University. We take all of these incidents very seriously. We reached out via the spokesperson to see if they wanted our support and how it is that we could help. Up to today, the end of business day, four women have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment and impropriety against the faculty member of UB. So, our ministry and our social workers have been in communication and are lending support. We have to understand that it takes a lot of courage and bravery to come forward and make these allegations. My belief and understanding is that they have formally written to the University of Belize to make these allegations more formal. I cannot confirm whether or not the police have been brought into the matter. I am not sure whether or not the young ladies will seek to make a report, which is their right to do so or not do so as they see fit.”
