A Cuban dentist was on Monday fined $50,000 for overstaying and placed on a total of $300,000 bail after blaming “ignorance” for charges of conspiracy to forge an immigration stamp and uttering a forged document that were also read to her.
Eileen Aguila appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman and was read a charge which stated that between September 12 and September 14, 2016, at Georgetown, with the intent to defraud, she conspired with a person or persons to forge Guyana Immigration Service arrival and departure stamps in a Republic of Cuba passport.
A second charge was read which stated that on January 18, at Moleson Creek, Berbice, with intent to defraud, she uttered to Immigration Officer 21708 Yazir Sugrim, a Republic of Cuba passport with the forged stamps.
It is also alleged that Aguila, being granted permission to stay in Guyana from July 15 to August 15, 2016 overstayed.
Although the 29-year-old woman pleaded guilty to all charges, her pleas for the first two were changed by the magistrate after she explained that her guilt was as a result of her ignorance. She added that she did not know that the stamps were false until she went to apply for a job.
According to Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves, Aguila arrived in Guyana through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and she was granted a one-month stay. On completion of her stay, the defendant on September 13, 2016, gave a man she identified as “Carlos” her passport and US$200 to acquire an extension of stay for her.
The man claimed that he would get her a three-month extension.
Aguila was later arrested on January 18 when she went to Moleson Creek in an attempt to travel to Suriname and the forged stamps were observed in her passport.
When granted the opportunity, the woman apologised and stated that she was only now aware that what was done was an illegal act. She added that she came to Guyana as a visitor and began to look for a job and conducted research to be able to work in the country legally. As part of that process, she stated, she attempted to get a work permit and began the paperwork to do so. At present, the woman said, all her documents were with the Ministry of the Presidency.
Bail was objected to by the prosecutor, given that the defendant is not a Guyanese national.
Magistrate Latchman, however, granted the defendant $150,000 bail each on the uttering forged document charge and the conspiracy to commit a felony charge. She was then fined $50,000 with an alternative of one month in jail if she cannot pay the fine.
Aguila’s passport will also be lodged with the Cuban embassy.
While the conspiracy matter was adjourned to January 31, the uttering a forged document charge was transferred to the Chief Magistrate for assignment to the court with jurisdiction.
