Thirty three year old US national William Russell Jewett, the man wanted by
US authorities and found in Belize with major stacks of cash, did reappear in
Magistrate’s Court as scheduled today but once again was put back in the
hands of police. Court reports are that Chief Magistrate Margaret McKenzie is
not well but information is that the arraignment should proceed on Wednesday.
It is not certain just how many days the US fugitive was in Belize before local
authorities received the tip off that led them to the Cucumber Beach Marina
at Old Belize on the Western Highway. But the information was solid. A search
of Jewett’s sailboat, “Latitude Adjustment” turned up a total
of US$120,000, 4,200 euros, and an assortment of pesos, quetzals and Belize
dollars. Belize police found the money hidden behind a panel inside a closet
in the boats master’s bedroom.
Jewett is wanted in the United States for felony weapons, possession and fraud
charges. In Belize he has been charged for money laundering. Today Customs authorities
who did not wish to be interviewed on camera told 7News that the vessel Latitude
Adjustment is valued at seven hundred and fifty four thousand, four hundred
and fifty four dollars.
Customs officials report that they are treating the vessel as uncustomed goods,
meaning that he will be sued for three times the boat’s value for illegally
importing the vessel.
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