‘Ms. Thelma’ Cleared as Partner Pleads Guilty

Charges against 61-year-old Telesfora “Ms. Thelma” Arana, owner of the popular Thelma’s Kitchen, were dropped after her common-law partner, 50-year-old Curtis Rhaburn, pleaded guilty to drug possession with intent to supply and illegal firearm possession.

Police officers searched the couple’s residence on Kraal Road in Belize City, where they discovered a loaded 9mm pistol and 112 grams of cannabis. Neither Arana nor Rhaburn had a firearm license.

Rhaburn was fined $1,200 for the drug offence and sentenced to one year in prison for the firearm charge.