Alleged scammer facing murder charge

A Hanover car parts manager who is wanted by officials in the United States for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft was yesterday offered bail in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, as prosecutors have decided to proceed with the local matters against him.

It is alleged that Alrick Grant, 35, scammed a number of US citizens out of hundreds of thousands of dollars after convincing them that they had won the lottery and needed to send cash to receive their prizes. He has also been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and murder. Those cases are before the St James judiciary and the St Mary Circuit Court, respectively.

Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jeremy Taylor made the disclosure before Parish Judge Venise Blackstock-Murray.

"If it pleases you Your Honour, the prosecution locally has decided that the local matters must go ahead before the extradition," Taylor shared.

Grant, who is represented by King's Counsel Tom Tavares-Finson and Marcus Moore, successfully argued a bail application, citing Section 10 (2) and 12 of the Extradition Act.

Tavares-Finson submitted to the judge that his client, who has no previous convictions, could reside in St Ann.

Accepting the submissions of the lawyer, judge Blackstock-Murray offered Grant $600,000 bail with at least three sureties. He is to report to the police twice weekly and surrender his travel documents. A stop order was imposed at the island's ports of entry and exit.

Grant is to return to court on February 6, 2023.

- T.T.