Cyber convicts ordered to pay thousands of dollars and jailed for sharing sexual images

A woman who posted and shared sexually explicit images of another woman online after accusing her of having an intimate relationship with her ex-boyfriend, was ordered to pay $39,000 and was sentenced to prison for 10 months, while her partner in the act was ordered to pay $37,500 and was jailed for 10 months.

Zarrieta Zavisha Wilson, 34 of Ottley Hall, and Reno Roberts, 27 of Georgetown appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate, Tammika McKenzie, on October 14, 2024 where they pleaded guilty that they intentionally and without lawful excuse or justification, and without the consent of the virtual complainant, used a computer system to transmit sexually explicit images of the virtual complainant that contains personal identification information of her on WhatsApp and Facebook; and they distributed the sexually explicit images on WhatsApp.

Wilson also pleaded guilty that on Facebook, she unlawfully published defamatory comments of the same virtual complainant. The facts are that the complainant was on duty at her work place when Wilson approached and accused her of having an intimate relationship with her ex-boyfriend who is also the complainant’s coworker.

An argument ensued between them, and Wilson threw beer in the complainant’s face in the presence of her ex-boyfriend. On the following day, the complainant was informed that Wilson had shared nude photographs of her online, which were taken by Roberts while they were in a relationship. Senior Magistrate McKenzie considered that Roberts had threatened to release the photos of the complainant if she ended the relationship, and also considered that he denied making these threats.

During their sentencing on December 18, 2024, the Senior Magistrate told them, “I see no reason…why I shouldn’t give you a fine and confine.” Upon hearing this, Roberts asked the Senior Magistrate for another chance, but she told him, “my duty isn’t only to hear you” but to consider the effects of the crime and deter other people from considering similar acts.

She told Roberts that Wilson never asked him for the photos but “you wanted to illustrate your intimate knowledge” of the virtual complainant and “decided to show these photos” which he took of her. McKenzie continued that instead of sending a photo of the virtual complainant’s face to prove that he knows her, Roberts sent photos of her private parts.
Both Roberts and Wilson then attempted to defend the roles that they played in committing the crime but the Senior Magistrate told them, “We’re gone past the stage of blame-sharing.”

However Roberts who was relentless and vocal during the entirety of his sentencing, told the court that Wilson’s sister warned her about not posting the photos, but the Senior Magistrate remained adamant that they both were wrong.
“Your honour, me nah post um on no social media,” he replied.
The Senior Magistrate told him that he shared the message in pornographic group chats and asked him why he didn’t send photos of himself. Roberts interjected that he already did that.

She told the young man that sharing the virtual complainant’s images “is revenge porn,” but Roberts objected and called his actions a mistake.

He said he did not think that the virtual complainant was actually getting harassed, telling the court that he did not post any photos on Facebook, but only sent it to Wilson.
“I am the reason why I’m here. She’s the reason why we’re both here,” Roberts told the Senior Magistrate, adding that he sent the photos to Wilson, and she posted them out of anger.

“I wasn’t looking for all of this [to] happen. Me nah been know she up to that,” he argued. However, Senior Magistrate Mckenzie told him that the more ‘buts’ he says, the more aggravating the factors become as it shows that he does not accept his role in the crime.

She then fined him $15,000 to be paid by December 1, 2026 or he will get one year of imprisonment; and $10,000 to be paid by April 30, 2026 or one year of imprisonment will ensue.

Roberts also was ordered to compensate the virtual complainant in the sum of $12,500 by October 31, 2025, or face one year of imprisonment. He also was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Wilson was ordered to compensate the complainant in the sum of $14,000 by September 30, 2025 or serve one year in prison. She also was sentenced to prison for nine months and three weeks.

She was fined $15,000 to be paid by September 30, 2026, in default of which she will spend one year in prison; and $10,000 to be paid by March 31, 2027 in default of which she will be jailed for one year. The sentences are to run consecutively. Time on remand, which amounted to two weeks, will be deducted.

The maximum sentence that Wilson and Roberts could have received for: (1), transmitting the images and (2), distributing them is a $100,000 fine or two years imprisonment, or both, for each offence. The maximum sentence that Wilson could have received for libel is a $50,000 fine, or two years imprisonment, or both.