Jamaica firearm cases bring six life sentences in early 2026

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Six individuals were handed life sentences in the first three months of 2026 for gun crimes such as gathering banned weapons, unlawful firearm possession and having ammunition without approval, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has reported.

In a Thursday update, the JCF said 17 offenders altogether received sentences exceeding 250 years for firearm matters, while police arrested and charged 80 people and recovered 175 illegal guns islandwide. The force said the weapons were found between January 1 and March 31, with 32 of them intercepted at ports by the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID).

According to the police, 99 guns were taken from 93 separate incidents involving 140 assailants. Another 44 firearms were found in situations where no person was charged.

The JCF said 595 charges were brought under the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act over the period. The counts included possession of banned weapons, unlawful possession of ammunition and the use of prohibited firearms in the commission of felonies.

Among the 80 people charged for firearm possession, police said 63 were men between 17 and 75 years old, while 17 were women ranging in age from 19 to 58. St Andrew South led the divisions for gun-related arrests and charges with 60 cases, ahead of St James with 54 and Hanover with 45.

One of the matters cited by investigators involved 23-year-old Romani Lugg, who received a life term and may seek parole after 21 years following his conviction for stockpiling prohibited weapons. Lugg was held in Spanish Town, St Catherine, in January 2025 after police alleged he was carrying a firearm.

In another case from St Catherine North, 27-year-old Ronaldo Forbes was sentenced to life for unauthorised possession of ammunition, along with 13 years and 11 months for possessing a prohibited weapon, after police said a gun was discovered during a March 2025 operation.

Nigel Bailey, 54, was given life imprisonment for stockpiling prohibited weapons and will become eligible for parole after 20 years. He also received 15 years at hard labour for possession of a prohibited weapon.

Police said Andre Jennings of St Andrew South was sentenced to life for possession of a prohibited weapon, with parole eligibility after 20 years, and was further given 22 years and 11 months for unauthorised possession of ammunition.

In Manchester, Matthew Smith received an overall 40-year sentence after admitting guilt to firearm possession, burglary, robbery with aggravation and rape. The police said those offences took place across a 21-day span in 2023.

Ricardo Downer and Timoy Bingham were each given life sentences for unauthorised possession of ammunition. Both men were also sentenced to additional terms of more than 14 years for possession of prohibited weapons.

The JCF also pointed to convictions involving Nickrane Mighty, Ricardo Kerr and Jamoy Chusney, who each received between 14 and 15 years for firearm offences.

Police said the pattern carried into the second quarter, citing April convictions secured by the St Catherine South police against Jerome Wilson and Marvin Bailey. Wilson was sentenced to life for possession of a prohibited weapon and 16 years for unauthorised possession of ammunition, while Bailey received more than 30 years for wounding with intent and more than 25 years for illegal possession of a firearm.