Alleged ex-Sergeant’s son fined and ordered removed from SVG

A Grenadian, who told the court that his father is a former Sergeant of Police in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG),was fined and had a removal order made against him after he illegally entered the State.

Roger Johnson appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate, Tammika McKenzie on April 23, 2025 where he pleaded guilty that between February 1 and 28, 2025 at Layou, he entered the State of St. Vincent and the Grenadines other than a port of entry and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer.

The facts are that Johnson is a Grenadian national, who was staying in Palmist Mountain in Layou.

On April 19, 2025 about 4:15 p.m, members of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) stationed at the Chateaubelair Police Station received information and went in search of him.

Upon arriving at the mountain, Johnson was seen coming out of a building. They shouted to him to come forward with his hands in the air. Johnson complied.

The officers approached the man and identified themselves as police officers. When questioned, he gave his name as Roger Johnson of Grenada.

When Johnson was questioned about his arrival in St Vincent, he said that he took the Osprey Ferry from Grenada to Carriacou, and a speedboat from Carriacou to Union Island.

He then took a black and white boat to Kingstown and did not check with immigration officials. Johnson was arrested on suspicion and taken to the Central Police Station.

The Immigration authorities were informed. He was interviewed, and volunteered a statement. All ports of entry were checked and no record of Johnson was found.

As a result, the offence of illegal entry was pointed out to Johnson and he was later charged with two counts of the offence.

Senior Magistrate McKenzie put to Johnson that when he woke up and decided to come to St Vincent, if he didn’t think that both St Vincent and Grenada needed to know that he was leaving one country and entering another.

However, Johnson, who told the court that he is 49 years old, said that he was not fully aware of immigration procedures and apologized for his actions.

“You think I should believe that?” The Senior Magistrate questioned. “You being sorry is not a sufficient reason why I shouldn’t send you to prison,” she continued.

Johnson told the court that he is a taxi driver and a farmer. He said that he is the son of a former Sergeant of Police. Johnson also said that he is the father of two, a nine year old and a 27 year old.

He also said that he stays away from violence. The Senior Magistrate asked him how he planned to return to Grenada.

“Grenadian authorities will come and pick him up and he knows exactly,” Prosecutor, Shamrock Pierre told the court. SEARCHLIGHT understands that Johnson has outstanding warrants in the country.

“I have an issue with a lady,” he told the court. Senior Magistrate McKenzie then fined him EC$280 to be paid by the next day or spend three months in prison.

A removal order was also made against him.