St. James motorcycle thieves placed on probation as government defends US migrant transfer deal

Two men who pleaded guilty to stealing motorcycles from Irwin Police Station in St. James have been spared prison, the government has again insisted Jamaica is not accepting foreign deportees under a United States transfer arrangement, and Kingston officers have charged a disabled man found with an illegal firearm in a supermarket.

O'Neil Dennis and Jason Stevenson admitted taking two motorcycles from the Irwin station. Appearing before Judge Anatisha Fairclough Hilton in the St. James Parish Court on Wednesday, both received two-year probation orders instead of custodial sentences.

Hilton told the men they would work with probation officers to become better citizens, saying she understood neither had an easy upbringing, especially Stevenson. "There comes a point in life when you put your past behind you and work towards a better future," she added before allowing them to leave.

Social inquiry reports before the court portrayed both unfavourably. Dennis has repeatedly been linked to larceny despite community warnings, while Stevenson was described as a known thief and negative influence. Residents claimed break-ins increased after Dennis returned to the area. The report also noted Stevenson has an uncle regarded as a seasoned thief.

Prosecutors said officers discovered the theft about 7:00 a.m. on October 3, 2025, when motorcycles stored at the station were found missing. One bike was recovered the next day from a purchaser who said he bought it from Dennis. Police spotted Dennis at home on November 12 and tried to arrest him, but he fled. He was taken into custody on April 7 and reportedly told investigators he obtained the motorcycle from Stevenson. Stevenson voluntarily reported to police on April 15 and allegedly admitted both men removed the bikes from the compound, with Dennis pushing them out while he assisted. A third motorcycle Stevenson said was his, previously seized by police, was also removed, though no charge was laid over that vehicle.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness used a social media post to restate that Jamaica is not receiving foreign deportees under a memorandum of understanding with the United States on third country nationals. The issue has drawn scrutiny after Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang confirmed Jamaica concluded an agreement to facilitate transfer of a limited number of such persons while insisting they should not be classified as deportees.

Holness said, "The only deportees that Jamaica accepts are Jamaican citizens returning to their homeland under established agreements between both the countries." Chang told Wednesday's post-cabinet briefing the pact caps intake at 25 third country nationals per two-week interval and suspends transfers if more than 10 remain on the island. He said those covered have exhausted legal avenues to remain in the United States but whose home countries will not receive them.

"They are not deportees. They are third country nationals," Chang said, arguing the label wrongly suggests Jamaica is accepting people formally removed to their countries of citizenship. He told the House of Representatives the arrangement is for transit while onward movement is arranged, not permanent resettlement, with each case considered individually after identity, medical, and criminal records are provided.

Amnesty International has described third country removals as sending people the United States wants out to countries other than their own, and raised concerns about due process and migrant treatment once they arrive.

Deans Stewart, 41, of Mona Commons, Kingston 6, was held about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday inside Shoppers Fair Supermarket on Old Hope Road after officers observed a semi-automatic pistol with a magazine containing five rounds tucked between his legs while he shopped in his wheelchair. The amputee was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorised ammunition and taken to Halfway Tree Police Station. Investigators said he is well known locally and frequently solicits money from the public.