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Yesterday William Jewett attempted to plead guilty to one count of money laundering. But because he had fired his two attorneys – he did not have recourse to proper legal advice and the Financial Intelligence Unit Prosecutor Mikhael Arguelles stepped in as an advisor to Jewett. Chief Magistrate Margaret McKenzie did not want to proceed with the matter under those circumstances and adjourned it until Wednesday January 27th.

But in a surprising move, Jewett and the FIU Prosecutor were back before Chief Magistrate McKenzie late this afternoon. The court accepted his guilty plea to the charge of money laundering. As a consequence he was fined $50,000 to be paid immediately or in default he would have to serve 5 years in jail.

The question of Jewett’s assets, his boat, and other monies he had were the subject of an in camera session with the Chief Magistrate, Jewett, and the FIU investigator and prosecutor. When they returned to open court, it was stated that Jewett’s assets was forfeited by the court under the provisions of the Money Laundering and Terrorism Prevention Act.

The Customs and Immigration charges were withdrawn. So tonight Jewett is in jail and he will remain there until he pays the $50,000 fine.