March 13, 2023
Prosecutor’s absence delays trial of St James residents accused of human trafficking
ST JAMES, Jamaica – Three St James residents accused of exploiting two females by forcing them to engage in lewd activities, on Monday had their case postponed until Thursday, March 23, due to the absence of the prosecutor.
Ionie Ricketts, 45, of New Ramble, Bogue is charged with human trafficking, while Lisa-Shay Whyte, 22, of the same address, is charged with facilitating human trafficking.
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Jerome Murray, Ricketts’ alleged boyfriend, is also charged with facilitating human trafficking.
The matter came up for mention in the St James Circuit Court before presiding High Court Justice Andrea Thomas on Monday.
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Attorney-at-law Michael Hemmings, who is representing the defendants, was unavoidably absent and attorney Martyn Thomas stood in for him.
But the court was told that the case has been assigned to another Crown Counsel, who will be present next Thursday and will adopt a specific course in the case.
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The matter was subsequently set for mention and the defendants’ bail was extended.
It is alleged that on April 26, 2019, the two complainants, both of whom were over the age of 18, were walking along a road in St James when they were chased by the two accused women.
One of the complainants managed to escape, but the other was captured, placed inside of a motorcar, and driven away.
Family members of the captured female reported her missing and requested the assistance of the other complainant in locating her.
On May 4, the police were called to Ricketts’ home in New Ramble, where Murray was seen. The officers detained him and took him to the police station, where he contacted Ricketts and summoned her to the station.
When Ricketts arrived at the station, she told the police that she knew where the missing complainant was. She then contacted Whyte, who told her that she and the missing girl were in Cambridge. Whyte and the missing complainant eventually arrived at the station.
The two complainants were interviewed at the station, and it was discovered that the three accused were exploiting the two young females. They were subsequently arrested and charged.
