Gilroy Howard Thomas, a 28-year-old former security guard, pleaded guilty to manslaughter yesterday in connection with the fatal stabbing of Emroy Elroy Tracey in March 2022. Thomas, who was jointly charged with Tyrique Swaso, accepted responsibility for his role in Tracey’s death. Tracey, who was 26 years old at the time, was stabbed multiple times on March 5, 2022, at the corner of Iguana and Curassow Streets in Belize City. According to the facts of the case, Tracey was drinking with Swaso and Thomas when an altercation broke out between Swaso and Tracey. Thomas then joined the fight, and both he and Swaso pulled out knives, inflicting more than 15 stab wounds on Tracey. No motive for the stabbing was ever established. Represented by attorney Leeroy Banner, Thomas entered into a plea agreement with the Crown. Justice Nigel Pilgrim sentenced Thomas to 12 years in prison, effective March 9, 2022. Several aggravating and mitigating factors were considered by the judge including the use of a weapon and the prevalence of such crimes. He also considered Thomas’ remorse, good character, lack of prior convictions, and potential for rehabilitation. As for Thomas’ co-accused, Tyrique Swaso, he has pleaded not guilty to murder. His case has been adjourned until September 26, for a Case Management Conference. Swaso remains remanded at the Belize Central Prison. Crown Counsel Shanell Fernandez Peyrefitte prosecuted the case.
A 35-year-old Dangriga man, Antonio Alvarez, appeared in court today charged with sexual assault. Alvarez, a resident of Jane Usher Boulevard who claims employment with the Leadership Intervention Unit, pleaded not guilty after initially attempting to plead guilty. Alvarez was charged with intentionally and unlawfully touching the buttocks of an 8-year-old female minor on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, without her consent. The court heard that the child’s mother reported the incident to police after her daughter told her a friend had touched her. When asked if he accepted the police facts, Alvarez stated he was “smoking” when approached by the mother and was “not aware of what the child is saying.” Due to his disagreement with the facts, the court entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Alvarez was granted $1,500 bail with conditions: he must not go near the victim or her mother, stay 100 feet away from them, and report to Racoon Street Police Station every Friday, starting July 25. His next court date is September 18.
A 26-year-old woman who was hired to clean a businesswoman’s home is now at the center of a criminal case, accused of stealing over $19,000 worth of jewelry and cash on her very first day of work. Samara Moody, a resident of Perez Road in Ladyville, was arraigned this morning before Magistrate Ludlow Black in Belize City, where she was charged with burglary with intent to steal. She pleaded not guilty. The charge stems from a burglary that allegedly occurred on Friday, June 20, at the home of Abigail Moguel, a 39-year-old businesswoman from the Buttonwood Bay area. Moguel told police that Moody had been hired as her new housekeeper and was instructed to clean every part of the house, except her and her husband’s walk-in closets. Moguel made it clear that the closets were off-limits. However, when she returned home later that evening, she noticed that her closet had been cleaned and several items were missing from her jewelry box and drawers. The missing items included a 14K gold rosary chain valued at $1,500, a 14K gold XO chain worth $1,500, a 14K gold Michael Kors bracelet worth $350, and a gold bracelet with diamonds on each link valued at $6,000. Also stolen were a 14K gold ring with four rows of diamonds valued at $2,500, another 14K gold ring with elevated rectangular diamonds worth $1,500, a Tory Burch Eleanor stainless steel gold watch worth $2,000, and a Gucci stainless steel gold watch worth $3,000. In addition, $700 in cash in various denominations was taken, bringing the total value of the stolen items to $19,050. Police investigators found no signs of forced entry or damage at the scene. Surveillance footage reportedly showed that no one other than the homeowners and Moody entered or exited the house during the time in question. Based on this and other information gathered, police named Moody as the prime suspect and issued a wanted poster with her photo and details. On Tuesday, July 8, around 7:45 p.m., Moody turned herself in at the Ladyville Police Station. The following day, she was transferred to Precinct 3 on Queen Street in Belize City, where she was formally detained pending investigation. During a video-recorded interview, police say Moody admitted to taking the stolen items. Despite the confession, Moody pleaded not guilty in court. She was granted bail in the amount of $2,000, with strict conditions attached. She is prohibited from contacting the complainant in any way, by phone, text, or in person, and must not interfere with any member of the complainant’s family. Additionally, she must remain at least 100 yards away from Moguel and is required to report to the Ladyville Police Station every Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., starting July 11. Moody’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 4.
A 26-year-old Belize City man is behind bars after being accused of robbing two teenage girls in separate incidents—one involving a firearm and the other involving threats—both on the same day.
Omar Morales, of no fixed address, was arraigned before Magistrate Ludlow Black on two counts of robbery following reports that he targeted female minors in two separate parts of the city on Tuesday, July 1.
In the first incident, a 16-year-old St. John’s Junior College student reported that around 9:50 a.m., she was standing in front of Kevaun’s Pawn Shop at the corner of East Canal and Regent Street West when Morales allegedly approached her on a bicycle. After being ignored, he reportedly lifted his shirt to display what appeared to be a black firearm and demanded her jewelry. The victim said she handed over two chains valued at $100 total, and Morales then snatched her iPhone XXMax valued at $1,000, along with a $100 phone case, before fleeing toward Water Lane against the flow of traffic.
Later that same day, at around 1:00 p.m., a 14-year-old student working on a school project at the Rogers Stadium bleachers was approached by a man matching Morales’ description. The suspect allegedly pushed the two girls down, sat beside them, held his hand in his pocket, and told them he had a gun. Out of fear, the girls handed over their phones and $30 in cash. Morales then reportedly ran out of the stadium and escaped on a bicycle.
Both victims later identified Morales at the police station. Surveillance footage also reportedly captured him leaving the scene of one of the robberies.
Despite pleading not guilty to both charges and claiming, “I neva do that,” Morales was denied bail due to the seriousness of the offenses. He was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until his next court appearance on August 29, 2025.
A troubling case of cybercrime has stirred up concern in the Orange Walk community this week. A young woman’s lost cellphone turned into a nightmare when private photos were shared without her consent through her own social media accounts. But thanks to swift action by the Belize Police Department’s Cybercrime Unit, the device was recovered, and a fourteen-year-old male has been arrested and charged.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“On Tuesday, June 16th, 2025, a twenty-year-old female visited the Orange Walk Police Station and reported that she had lost her cellphone on June 13th, which contained several nude photos of her. The female stated that someone had utilized her Facebook and Instagram accounts that were logged into on the lost cellphone to send several nude photos to her friends on those social media platforms. The police Information Technology and Cybercrime Unit of the Belize Police Department launched an investigation which resulted in the recovery of the lost cellphone and the arrest and charge of a fourteen-year-old male minor of that jurisdiction for the offence of using a computer system to publish images of a private area.”
It’s a stark reminder of how quickly technology can be misused—and how important digital safety really is.
2025.6.16 Father Fatally Chopped by Son Just Before Father’s Day
Just before a weekend meant for honoring fathers, a heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the quiet San Mateo neighborhood in San Pedro. Rubio Salazar, a familiar face on the island, was killed in a shocking altercation, allegedly at the hands of his own son. What should have been a time for family and celebration has instead turned into a time of mourning and disbelief. The incident has left a family shattered and a community searching for answers. Tonight, we take a closer look at what led to this devastating turn of events.
For one San Pedro family, this Father’s Day brought heartbreak instead of celebration. Fifty-nine-year-old Rubio Salazar lost his life in a violent altercation with his own son. Police say the argument between Rubio and thirty-nine-year-old Daniel Salazar turned deadly after a blow to the head escalated the situation.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“Police are investigating the death of fifty-nine-year-old Rubio Salazar of the San Mateo area, San Pedro, which occurred on June fourteenth, 2025, at approximately 3:30 P.M. The investigation revealed that Rubio Salazar and his son Daniel Salazar got into an altercation with each other, where it is alleged that Rubio struck Daniel with a stick, and Daniel inflicted a chop wound in the upper part of Rubio’s body, fatally wounding him. Daniel Salazar was detained, and it was observed that he had a wound to the temple for which he sought medical attention.”
Neighbors say the argument may have started over the family dogs, one belonging to Daniel Salazar at the front of the yard, and the other, known to be aggressive, belonging to his father at the back. They believe tensions over the dogs may have sparked the deadly confrontation. Meanwhile, Daniel’s mother, Erminia Muschamp, is still in shock. She says she never saw her son as a violent person and is struggling to come to terms with what happened.
Erminia Muschamp, Mother of Daniel Salazar
“I couldn’t believe it; I was surprised. Daniel is not that kind of person. He’s not a violent person; I can’t even explain. He is a calm person, a responsible person, and a mannered person. He’s not a drunkard, like, going to drink outside or socialize with people like that. He was the best son I ever have.”
Muschamp says her son isn’t a violent person and believes he may have been pushed to his breaking point. She claims her former husband, Rubio, had a history of aggression, and suggests that Daniel may have been triggered during the heated exchange that turned deadly.
Erminia Muschamp
“With me living with him, I know he was that person that used to hit me, used to be violent with me. But with kids, like with the years that passed, I can’t say about that. I don’t really know what kind of person he’d become after. When you’re living with somebody and then separate, it’s two different things. I can’t really say anything about Rubio’s life now.”
Police are yet to determine if self-defense can be applied to this incident.
ASP Stacy Smith
“Self-defence certainly arises on the facts; however, for self-defence to be successfully sustained, proportionality is the question. The office of the director of public prosecution will give directions as to what charges are to be levied under the circumstances. I can confirm that samples were taken from persons present and statements were recorded.”
The tragic death left a lasting impact on the entire family as they grieve the loss of Rubio and process the actions of Daniel Salazar. Erminia is hoping that no matter what the outcome, justice will prevail, and her family can overcome their heartbreak.
Erminia Muschamp
“I trust in God, and I believe in God. I pray for the best for my son because he has a daughter that will be graduating on Wednesday, and that’s what he says, ‘Mom, my daughter, my daughter.’ I said, ‘Son, just have to wait and wait for the best and hope that justice will be served,’ and I said, you know, something triggered Daniel to react like that, and he told me he was hit twice before I react and he was tired; he just came in from work maybe like 5 or 10 minutes before, according to what I understand. And you know in this sun hot coming in from work tired, and someone attacks you, you don’t think; you just react.”
At this time, the family remains torn and confused, but is leaning on each other for support as they grapple with the reality of the situation. Britney Gordon for News Five.
Police have no records of prior altercations between Daniel and Rubio Salazar.
2025.5.25 Orange Walk Town man attacked downtown on Saturday night
An Orange Walk man was found on the pavement and bleeding from the head on Queen Victoria Avenue in front of Friendship Restaurant sometime before 8 Saturday night. The man has been identified as 59-year-old Abel Valdez of Stadium Street, Orange Walk Town.
Initial investigations indicate that Valdez was hit to the head with a blunt object by an individual unknown to him. He was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital for treatment.
Police are investigating.
A 14-year-old Belizean student who was reported missing last Thursday has surfaced in a video shared on social media, where she claims she ran away due to alleged sexual harassment at home.
Jiely Vásquez, who went missing from Santa Cruz Village in the Benque Viejo area, appears in the video explaining that she left her home because she no longer felt safe. In the emotional message directed to her mother, she accuses her mother’s boyfriend of sexually harassing her and says she could no longer stay in the house under those conditions.
“I ran away because I didn’t feel safe anymore. I couldn’t take the harassment,” Jiely said in the video, adding that she is alive and well, but refuses to return to the environment she fled.
Her claims have sparked public outrage and calls for immediate action from child protection services and the Belize Police Department. So far, officials have not confirmed if they have located her or taken steps to verify the allegations, but many are urging the Ministry of Human Development to intervene quickly.
Anyone with information about Jiely Vásquez’s location is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 922 or visit the nearest police station.
2025.5.22 21 Belizeans deported from U.S. on charter flight
Sometime after 11 this morning, an Airbus 320 jet from the United States arrived at the Philip Goldson International Airport in Ladyville carrying some 150 passengers, but not ordinary ones.
Most were on their way to Peru or Chile in South America but 21 were Belizeans, brought home for various immigration violations, per a U.S. Embassy Belize official.
The group are to be processed at the Queen Street Police Station and released except for one or two who are wanted by police.
The Embassy official indicated most of these individuals were found to have crossed illegally into the U.S. or had overstayed their welcome on official documents and thus had run afoul of the law.
The charter flight was for efficiency purposes as deportees usually return via commercial flights.
More of these flights can be expected as the U.S. tightens immigration checks per domestic policy but Belize has cooperated by being willing to take back its own citizens, though not others.
2025.5.20 Belize City Man Accused of Drug Possession and Trying to Bribe Police
Twenty-five-year-old Dray Mossiah, a painter from Cleghorn Street, is now facing two criminal charges after a late-night police search turned up suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia in his home. Police say they executed a search warrant at Mossiah’s residence around eleven p.m. on Monday. Inside, they reportedly found a small bag of white powder, along with straws believed to have cocaine residue. But things took a turn when Mossiah allegedly tried to bribe one of the officers with a hundred and forty dollars in cash, asking to be let go without charges. That move landed him a second charge, attempting to corrupt a police officer. Mossiah appeared in court this morning without a lawyer and initially pleaded guilty. But after hearing the details, he seemed unsure and told the magistrate, quote, no drugs were found in the straw, end quote. The court entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and advised him to seek legal counsel. The magistrate noted that as a first-time offender for these particular charges, Mossiah could face fines between a hundred and two hundred dollars per count. However, it turns out he still owes over nine thousand, five hundred dollars from a 2021 drug conviction. Before he could post bail today, he was ordered to pay five hundred dollars toward that outstanding fine. Mossiah managed to make the payment just before four p.m. and was granted bail. He’s due back in court on July fifteenth and must make another payment toward his old fine by June.
2025.5.19 Serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving Belmopan teacher prompt call for police intervention
Serious allegations have been made against a female primary school teacher in Belmopan, accused of sexually pursuing a Standard Six student. According to a complaint from the student’s parent, explicit images and videos purportedly sent by the teacher were discovered on the child’s cellphone, shared via messaging apps.
The teacher has been suspended since March; however, parents and concerned community members are voicing frustration over what they describe as a lack of action. They say that the school authorities have not reported the incident to police or relevant child protection agencies, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of the student involved.
The parent who discovered the material has urged the Belize Police Department and the Department of Human Services to intervene promptly to investigate the matter and protect the child. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about sexual misconduct and the importance of swift and transparent investigations in safeguarding vulnerable students.
2025.5.19 Arrest Made in Murder of Belize City Mason
Police have made a breakthrough in the murder case of sixty-one-year-old Carlos Avelar, a mason from Belize City whose shocking death earlier this month left the community in mourning. Avelar was gunned down on the night of May first while walking along Coney Drive. Witnesses say two men on a motorcycle pulled up around 8:15 p.m. and opened fire, hitting him multiple times before speeding off. The brutal attack sparked outrage and calls for justice. Now, police have arrested twenty-two-year-old Jamal Brackett in connection with the killing. Authorities say they are still searching for a second suspect. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith shared that the investigation is ongoing, and more updates will follow as the case develops.
A Sandhill couple who appeared confused about how to plead in court after being charged with possession of 35 grams of cannabis were granted bail on Thursday following an unusual arraignment.
43-year-old Sheldon Rhaburn, an employee of LTH Battery, and his 33-year-old common-law wife, Keisha Borland, unemployed, appeared before a Magistrate in Court #8 late Thursday evening, jointly charged with possession of a controlled drug.
During the proceedings, Borland initially pleaded not guilty while Rhaburn pleaded guilty. However, the sitting Magistrate noticed Rhaburn using hand gestures in an apparent attempt to coach Borland into changing her plea. The Magistrate warned Rhaburn against influencing her, even threatening contempt of court. Borland eventually changed her plea to guilty.
Despite both initially claiming responsibility for the marijuana, the situation took a turn when the prosecutor read the facts of the case. Borland then stated she had no knowledge of the drugs, and Rhaburn told the court the cannabis did not belong to them, alleging their yard is often used as a stash spot by others.
Given the inconsistent statements, the Magistrate entered equivocal pleas on their behalf and offered each of them bail in the sum of $1,000 plus one surety of the same amount. The couple met bail and are scheduled to return to court on July 15, 2025.
By law, individuals are allowed to possess up to 10 grams of cannabis without facing criminal charges. The 35 grams allegedly found in the couple’s possession exceeds the legal limit by 25 grams.
2025.5.16 Two Belize City men remanded for Zinedine Pinelo’s murder
Two Belize City residents are behind bars at the Belize Central Prison after being charged with the murder of a San Pedro fisherman who was gunned down during a visit to the city last week.
Dashay Dashque Williams, 28, of Neal’s Pen Road, and Kaylen Jaylen McFoy, 19, of Hunters Lane, were arraigned this morning in Court #2 of the Belize City Magistrate’s Court for the murder of 26-year-old Zinedine Pinelo, a boat captain from San Pedro Town.
Pinelo was fatally shot around 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025, on Hunters Lane, where he and another man had gone to meet a friend. According to police reports, several individuals approached them, and one opened fire. Pinelo was hit multiple times and died at the scene, while the other man escaped uninjured.
During their arraignment, Williams, who had just been brought in from the Belize Central Prison where he was detained under a recent State of Emergency operation, informed the court that he has a bullet lodged in his body from a previous shooting and had been denied medical attention. He told the Senior Magistrate he had been in pain and requested urgent treatment. The court ordered that Williams be taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) for medical evaluation before being returned to prison.
Due to the nature of the offense, bail was denied, and both men were remanded to prison until their next court appearance scheduled for July 2, 2025.
Twenty-six-year-old Lincoln Myvett, was remanded to the Belize Central Prison on Monday following an alleged burglary at La Popular Bakery, but his court appearance took a concerning turn due to his apparent mental health issues.
Myvett, a resident of Pinks Alley, is accused of breaking into the bakery at the corner of Logwood and Sarstoon Streets around 3:35 a.m. on Thursday, May 8. According to police, the bakery’s glass window and metal shutters were damaged, and Myvett was found inside the building by Special Patrol Unit officers. Nothing was reported stolen.
In court, Magistrate Ludlow Black declined to proceed with Myvett’s arraignment after observing his unresponsiveness and disoriented demeanor. His aunt, Shanna Tillett, told the court that Myvett has struggled mentally since his mother’s death over eight years ago and was due for medication this week.
As a result, Magistrate Black ordered Myvett to be remanded to the Belize Central Prison pending a psychiatric evaluation. However, during the intake process at the Kolbe Foundation facility on Tuesday, Myvett allegedly attempted to climb a fence, prompting prison authorities to fire warning shots. He was quickly subdued, but a prison guard was reportedly injured during the incident, according to Prison CEO Virgilio Murillo.
Myvett will remain in custody until June 27, 2025, as authorities assess his mental health condition.
A 39-year-old fisherman is indebted to the court after pleading guilty to two drug-related offenses involving crack pipes.
Jonathan Raymond Coye appeared unrepresented before a Senior Magistrate in Court #2, where he was charged with two counts of possession of utensils used in connection with the smoking of a controlled drug.
The charges stem from an incident on Monday, May 5, 2025, when Coye was found with two pipes commonly used to smoke crack cocaine. One was a 3.5-inch metal pipe containing black wire mesh; the other, a 2.5-inch silver and black pipe with no mesh. Coye quickly pleaded guilty but corrected the record, stating one pipe measured 2.2 inches, not 2.5.
For his guilty plea, he was handed two non-custodial fines of $200 each, plus $5 in court costs per charge, totaling $410. Coye must pay the full amount by August 29, 2025, or face two months’ imprisonment on each count by default.
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A double murder near the Crooked Tree junction has shocked the nation, leaving a well-known couple dead inside their SUV. Police are investigating a potential financial dispute as a possible motive for the crime.
The victims, identified as 37-year-old Felix Martinez, an analyst manager, and his common-law wife, 40-year-old Adelita Gillett, a pharmaceutical manager, were found in a black Chevrolet Equinox SUV parked near Mile 30/31 on the Philip Goldson Highway. The discovery was made around 5:50 p.m. on Monday after police received reports of the vehicle.
Officers arrived to find the SUV with four bullet holes on the driver’s side window. Martinez was slumped in the driver’s seat, while Gillett was reclined in the passenger seat. Both had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
A witness driving in the opposite direction noticed the parked vehicle and stopped to investigate. After spotting the bullet holes and the motionless occupants, the individual contacted the authorities.
Investigators have since processed the scene, recovering several expended shells. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams shared a statement this morning, confirming that a suspect is in custody. The individual is being questioned about a financial dispute with the victims, which police are exploring as a potential motive.
In his statement, the Commissioner emphasized that there is no indication the victims were involved in criminal activities. He urged anyone with information to come forward, stating, “The Belize Police Department hereby urges the public to please share with us any information you may have that could assist us in solving these latest murders and bringing closure to the family.”
The couple, residents of Burrell Boom, leave behind a young child. Gillett was a respected pharmacist, and Martinez was known for his passion for sports. Their tragic deaths have left the nation in mourning as investigations continue.
2025.1.20 The murders of Felix Martinez and Adelita Gillett may be related to robbery, police sources now say.
The couple’s bodies were found inside a red Chevrolet Equinox at the junction of the Crooked Tree Causeway Road and Philip Goldson Highway earlier this evening.
Both had been shot and early theories suggested that one had shot the other and then themselves. However, further investigation has revealed a different motive – that they had been robbed, shot and left for dead.
Police investigations continue.
2025.1.20 Couple found dead in vehicle near Crooked Tree junction
A pair of residents of Burrell Boom, Belize District, met a tragic end this evening after being found dead inside their vehicle.
The bodies of Felix Martinez and Adelita Gillett were found inside a red Chevrolet Equinox near the Crooked Tree junction on the Philip Goldson Highway around 6 p.m.
Police continue to process the scene and family members are present and have identified the victims.
Preliminary reports suggest that the couple shared a home in the village.
Police investigations continue.
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