St James brothers face fraud charges after police raid in Garlands

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Court action has begun against two brothers, Dante and Renaldo Sparse, following a police operation in Garlands, St James.

The pair stood before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday. They face counts of possessing identity information and possessing an access device under the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act. Attorney Henry McCurdy is acting for them.

Prosecutors outlined events from April 16, when officers went to the premises where the brothers live at about 5:15 pm. A search of the location is said to have turned up a Visa bank card. Police also located two mobile phones, which both men accepted as theirs.

Further checks on the devices allegedly revealed multiple lead sheets holding details connected to people living abroad. When officers cautioned them and asked about the bank card, Dante is reported to have said, “Beg yuh a chance, officer.” Renaldo is also reported to have said, “Mi nuh know nutten ‘bout di card officer, but mi a beg yuh a chance.”

The brothers were arrested, charged, and later given bail options. On Wednesday the court learned that Renaldo had first received station bail of $400,000 but could not meet it. He was then offered new bail of $300,000, with as many as three sureties and reporting requirements.

Dante was already held on another case before the Gun Court. The judge remanded him, so he stays in custody.

The hearing was told the corroborating officer’s statement has not yet been filed. The case returns for mention on June 16.