A Venezuelan national, her fiancé and his mother, were brought before a city magistrate yesterday to face fraud charges surrounding counterfeit US currency.
Simone Thompson, her son Dexter Thompson, and his fiancé Yuimenni Lopez, appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly and were read separate charges.
While Simone Thompson faced five fraud charges, her son faced two, and Lopez answered to three charges.
It is alleged that Simone Thompson, on April 21st at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, with intent to defraud, uttered to Zaheed Harry Narine, US$300, knowing same to be forged.
Another two charges stated that on March 25th at Campbellville, she uttered to Ravendria Rajnauth, US$2,100, and on the same day, gave Ravena Rajnauth US$850 knowing same to be forged.
The final two charges stated that on April 28th at Wortmanville, Simone Thompson uttered to Wanetta Atkins, US$100, while also uttering to Mondale Smith on the said date, US$500.
Meanwhile, Lopez, through the aid of a translator was read a charge which stated that on May 15th at Georgetown, without lawful authority or excuse, had in her possession 44 forged US$50 bills.
It is also alleged that on May 23rd at Quail’s Optical on Thomas Street, with intent to defraud, she uttered to Clement Cumberbatch, US$1,800, knowing same to be forged.
Her final charge stated that on May 14th at East Street, with intent to defraud, she uttered to Rooklin Del Toro, US$2,500, knowing same to be forged.
Charges relating to Dexter Thompson stated that on January 23rd at Quail’s Optical, Thomas Street, he uttered to Clement Cumberbatch, US$1,800, knowing same to be forged.
The final charge stated that on May 14th at East Street, he uttered to Rooklin Del Toro, US$2,500, knowing same to be forged.
Subsequent to the reading of all charges relating to the accused, not guilty pleas were entered.
Police prosecutor Sanj Singh told the court that as it related to Lopez, police ranks are in the process of checking her immigration status. He said that the accused never provided the police with a local address but instead a Venezuelan address. Singh objected to the accused being granted bail based on those grounds.
Attorney Darren Wade, however, told the court that his client was given a three-month permit to be in Guyana. He added that Lopez resides with her fiancé in La Parfaite Harmonie. Wade urged the court to grant his client bail.
However, Lopez was denied bail until her permit can be brought to the court. She was then remanded to prison and is expected to return on May 21st.
Meanwhile, Simone Thompson was granted a total of $250,000 bail – $50,000 for each charge; while her son was granted $200,000 bail – $100,000 on each of his two charges.
Both mother and son are expected to return to court on June 14th.
