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Man, 36, wrongfully jailed for six years in place of teen bandit with same name – investigation launched
What would you do if you found yourself in jail for a crime that you did not commit?
That seems to be the fate of 36-year-old Desmond Junior Lewis, who is reportedly serving a six-year sentence for armed robbery in place of a 19-year-old fugitive who bears the same name.
WRONGFULLY JAILED? Desmond Junior Lewis shortly after police arrested him in Sophia.
Desmond Junior Lewis was jailed on October 18, last, after police arrested him in Sophia during a series of police raids dubbed “Operation Restore Order.”
A release issued by the police on October 14 stated that the 36-year-old resident of ‘D,’ Field, Sophia, was one of 31 persons detained for offences, which included armed robbery, possession of stolen articles, and possession and trafficking of narcotics.
The release stated that when profiled, “Lewis was found to have been sentenced in absentia to six years on two counts of armed robbery committed in ‘A’ Division.”
But it appears that Desmond Junior Lewis is the victim of a terrible police blunder.
The real robbery accused is said to be 19-year-old Junior Lewis of Pike Street, Kitty, who was charged in November 2017, for two armed robberies, which were allegedly committed on a couple who were near the seawall.
It was alleged that on November 4, 2017, the unemployed teen robbed Davina Persaud in Kingston, of one Samsung Galaxy mobile phone. On the same date, in Kingston, Junior Lewis allegedly also robbed Vishal Mohan of a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone and $2,000 cash.
The teen pleaded not guilty and was remanded. However, police sources said that he subsequently managed to secure bail, but never returned to court to face the charges. He was later jailed in his absence.
Kaieteur News understands that the blunder came to light recently, and that the mother of Desmond Junior Lewis, who was living overseas, filed a complaint with the police Office of Professional Responsibility yesterday.
Sources said that an investigation has confirmed that Desmond Junior Lewis was mistakenly jailed in the place of Junior Lewis.
One of the ranks who arrested the teen last year has reportedly said that the man presently in jail, does not fit the age, nor does he resemble the individual Junior Lewis.
“I can say beyond a reasonable doubt that the man in jail (Desmond Junior Lewis) is not Junior Lewis (the accused),” a source said.
A source also said that the mistake occurred because no attempt was made to confirm that the correct man had been arrested.
However, there are indications that more investigations will have to be conducted before Desmond Junior Lewis is released.
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