Three weeks ago, we told you about Sam Bonilla, the police corporal who received
a ten thousand dollar out of court settlement from a Belize City businessman
who had claimed that Bonilla had tried to shake him down. That allegation almost
destroyed Bonilla’s 16 year career in the Police Department, but he was
fully vindicated and cleared of disciplinary charges. The news tonight is that
Corporal Bonilla is back in trouble with the law facing criminal charges this
time.
And it’s no petty matter. Bonilla is accused of attempted rape, indecent
assault and harm. He received bail of five thousand dollars. It is alleged to
have happened on the 19th November on the compound of a bar in San Ignacio.
The alleged victim is a waitress at the bar.
Bonilla and two police constables were on routine patrol at about 9:00 on
that night and saw some suspicious activity at a Fierra’s Bar in the New
Area of Santa Elena. When they went to investigate they had an encounter with
two waitresses who were in a shelter at the back of the bar. The waitresses’
claim they were sexually assaulted and fondled, the police say no such thing
occurred.
And while three officers were on the patrol only Bonilla was charged on the
strength of a complaint made by one of the waitresses. In San Ignacio’s
Magistrate’s Court yesterday the police prosecutor objected to bail, but
Bonilla’s attorney Simeon Sampson successfully argued that Bonilla was
no flight risk and bail of five thousand dollars was granted. Bonilla has been
placed on interdiction pending the outcome of the trial.
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