Shootout Behind Miami Gardens Nightclub Caught On Video

Man Fatally Shot Outside Club

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Police are searching for the people who were caught on tape participating in a shootout behind a Miami Gardens nightclub that resulted in a man’s death. 

Miami Gardens police said the shooting occurred at about 4 a.m. Wednesday outside the Breezes Lounge at 230 NW 183rd St.

Watch: Video

 

Surveillance video showed two men running through the parking lot, shooting at each other, before a third man ran up and began firing. Police said one of the men was shot and killed.

Miami Gardens police said there had been a fight inside the club earlier in the night, and that led to the shooting.

One of the men was filmed by a security camera at the club’s back door. He is bald and has a beard.

Police have not released the identity of the man who was killed.

Met, this man dead and is such a damn shame..everybody glad seh him dead..all him do a go round and rob single mothers…Him tell u bout a link, u gi him ur money and him dissapear..however Him dead and I have not heard one person say anything good about this guy…Smady muss can seh something good..

TELEPHONIC SWORN STATEMENT6OF7IAN JOHNSON8__________District Court Reporting, Inc.216 Southeast Sixth Street14Fort Lauderdale, Florida 333011516Date:Tuesday – November 9, 20101718Time:2:19 p.m. – 4:09 p.m.1920Taken By:Michele Cameron,Court Reporter and Notary Public21In and for The State of Floridaat Large.22232425SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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21APPEARANCES:2LAW OFFICES OF DAVID P. ROWE, J.D., PH.DBY: DAVID P. ROWE, J.D., PH.D, ESQUIRE3110 East Broward Boulevard17th Floor4Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301Appearing on behalf of Robert Anderson.56ALSO PRESENT7Danielle ShellyOwen Atkinson, Justice of the Peace, telephonically89E X A M I N A T I O N10PAGE11DIRECT EXAMINATIONBY: MR. ROWE81213141516E X H I B I T S17No. 1Statement by Mr. Johnson918No. 2Letter Dated 10-7-10 to Mr. Bridgewater 56From Mr. Rowe19202122232425SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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31Sworn statement of IAN JOHNSON, a witness2herein, for the purpose of discovery and for use as evidence3in the above-entitled cause, before Michele Cameron, Shorthand4Reporter and Notary Public in and for the State of5Florida at Large, at 216Southeast Sixth Street, City of6Fort Lauderdale, County of Broward, State of Florida, on7November 9, 2010, commencing on or about 2:19 o’clock p.m.8Whereupon:9THE COURT REPORTER: My name is Michele10Cameron, the Court Reporter.11We are here in Re: The political asylum12of Mr. Ian Johnson.13I’m going to be asking you a series of14questions and if you can give me the15responses.16What is your name, please?17MR. ATKINSON: Owen Atkinson.18THE COURT REPORTER: Do you know Mr. Ian19Johnson?20MR. ATKINSON: Very well, and it’s21somebody I have known for a long time; 10, 1522years.23THE COURT REPORTER: What kind of24identification did Mr. Johnson provide you,25if any?SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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41MR. ATKINSON: I didn’t hear that2question.3THE COURT REPORTER: Can tell me what4kind of identification Mr. Johnson provide to5you?6MR. ATKINSON: He didn’t produce any ID,7I know him very well.8THE COURT REPORTER: For the purpose of9the record, can you have Mr. Johnson provide10you some identification?11MR. ATKINSON: If I can have Mr. Johnson12provide me with identification?13THE COURT REPORTER: Yes, please.14MR. ATKINSON: Okay, yes.15THE COURT REPORTER: If you can tell me16what kind of identification he is producing,17please.18MR. ATKINSON: I didn’t get that.19THE COURT REPORTER: If you can please20tell me what kind of identification Mr.21Johnson is producing.22MR. ATKINSON: I did not hear that.23THE COURT REPORTER: If you can please24tell me what kind of identification Mr.25Johnson is producing.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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51MR. ATKINSON: Okay. His passport.2THE COURT REPORTER: What type of3passport?4MR. ATKINSON: His passport, and the5number is 812911.6THE COURT REPORTER: What nationality7that passport is, please?8MR. ATKINSON: Yes, ma’am, Jamaican.9THE COURT REPORTER: Are you going to be10remaining with Mr. Johnson for the entire11statement?12MR. ATKINSON: I didn’t get that one.13THE COURT REPORTER: Are you going to be14remaining with Mr. Johnson for the entire15statement?16MR. ATKINSON: Yes, I will be.17THE COURT REPORTER: Are you aware that18any misrepresentation of any of the previous19questions I have asked you is a criminal20offense in the State of Florida?21MR. ATKINSON: Yes, I am.22THE COURT REPORTER: I am a23representative of the Chief Justice of the24Supreme Court of Florida.25MR. ATKINSON: Yes.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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61THE COURT REPORTER: If you can please2swear Mr. Johnson in.3MR. ATKINSON: Okay.4THE WITNESS: It’s Ian, I-A-N; middle5name Oliver, O-L-I-V-E-R; last name Johnson,6J-O-H-N-S-O-N.7THE COURT REPORTER: I’m going to swear8Mr. Johnson in.9MR. ATKINSON: Okay.10THE COURT REPORTER: Raise your right11hand, please.12THE WITNESS: Okay, I am, yes.13Whereupon:14IAN JOHNSON15a witness herein, being of lawful age and being first16duly sworn in the above-entitled cause, testified under17oath as follows:18THE WITNESS: Yes.19THE COURT REPORTER: Mr. Atkinson?20MR. ATKINSON: Yes.21THE COURT REPORTER: Did Mr. Johnson22raise his hand to accept the oath?23MR. ATKINSON: Yes.24THE COURT REPORTER: Okay. We’ll25proceed with the statement, then.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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71MR. ROWE: Thank you very much,2Mr. Atkinson.3MR. ATKINSON: Yes.4MR. ROWE: Mr. Ian Johnson, are you5there?6MR. ATKINSON: I didn’t hear you.7MR. ROWE: Mr. Ian Johnson, are you8there?9MR. ATKINSON: What are you asking?10MR. ROWE: I want to speak to Mr. Ian11Johnson, at this time.12THE WITNESS: This is Mr. Johnson, yes.13MR. ROWE: My name is David Rowe, I am14an attorney.15I wish to start examining Mr. Ian16Johnson.17MR. ATKINSON: I’m Owen Atkinson, the18Justice of the Peace.19MR. ROWE: I understand that,20Mr. Atkinson.21Can I speak to Mr. Ian Johnson?22MR. ATKINSON: What?23MR. ROWE: Can I speak to Mr. Ian24Johnson?25MR. ATKINSON: You want to speak to Mr.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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81Johnson?2MR. ROWE: That is correct.3MR. ATKINSON: Hold on.4THE WITNESS: Mr. Johnson speaking,5here.6MR. ROWE: Is this Mr. Johnson?7THE WITNESS: Yes, this is Ian Johnson.8DIRECT EXAMINATION9BY MR. ROWE:10QMr. Johnson, have you provided me with a11statement which is approximately nine pages long?12AYes.13QNow, in connection with that statement,14have you hired me as your attorney?15AYes, I have. Yes, I have, definitely.16QAre you currently of sound mind?17AYou are breaking up on me.18QAre you currently –19ACan you ask the question again?20QAre you currently of sound mind?21AYes, I am. Yes, I am.22QHave you imbibed any alcoholic or23narcotic substances today?24ANever drank, never smoked my entire25life.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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91QIs there any reason why you would not be2able to give me an accurate statement, today?3ANo reason, at all. No reason, at all.4QAre you giving this statement of your5own free will?6ACould you say that again?7QAre you giving this statement of your8own free will?9AYes, I am. Yes, I am.10QIs there anybody who has forced you or11intimidated you into giving this statement?12ADefinitely not. Definitely not.13QOkay. Do you understand that any14misstatement of fact made under the circumstances of15this Sworn Statement constitutes the crime of perjury16in the State of Florida?17AYes, I do.18QOkay. I’m going to ask you a number of19questions that are based on the statement that you20provided to me by e-mail, which I’m going to mark as21Exhibit A to this statement.22AOkay.23(Whereupon, the document referred to was24marked as Exhibit Number A for25Identification.)SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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101BY MR. ROWE:2QWhen did you meet James Robertson?3AShortly before the election before 1992.4Hello?5QYes.6AThat was shortly before 1992.7QIn what capacity did you meet him?8AIn what capacity did I what?9QDid you meet him?10AOh, okay.11I was introduced to him by members of12the party locally, here in Saint Thomas, as a business13man and a very strong JLP supporter.14QWhen you say that you were introduced to15him by members of the party, what party do you mean?16AThe Jamaican Labour Party.17QAre you a member of the Jamaican Labour18Party?19ANot officially, but I am. I am a strong20supporter, but not officially a member, but a strong21supporter.22QSo you are a strong supporter of the23Jamaica Labour Party; is that correct?24AI’m a strong supporter of the Jamaica25Labour Party.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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111QI understand.2Do you attend Jamaica Labour Party3meetings, from time to time?4AYes, sir. Yes.5QWhere do you attend these meetings or6where have you attended these meetings?7ARepeat the question?8QWhere do you attend those meetings or9where have you attended those meetings?10AWhere do I have meetings?11QNo.12Where do you attend Jamaica Labour Party13meetings or where have you attended these meetings?14AOkay. I’ve attended several local party15meetings and gatherings over the last eight years,16here in Saint Thomas.17QAre those Jamaica Labour Party meetings?18AYes. Definitely, yes.19QIn your statement, you say that20Mr. Robertson’s style of politics was a far cry from21what most people in Saint Thomas have ever seen22before.23What do you mean by that?24AOkay. Okay, I was a part of the25executive team of Dorothy Lightbourne, now the presentSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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121Jamaica Labour Party Attorney General of Jamaica. I2was part of her executive team, and she was the3candidate that represented Saint Thomas before James4Robertson arrived here in Saint Thomas. So I was a5part of her team, which was a very quiet election,6literally no violence, because the candidate, herself,7was a totally different person from the person that8came up this year, which is James Robertson.9QHow are they different?10AWell, during her campaign, there was11literally no violence, there was no – there was no act12on her behalf in terms of violence against the13opponent, which is the People’s National Party. It14was a very quiet — She was a very quiet person, not15involved in violence, which was a totally different16thing when James Robertson came, as he was directly,17against PNP supporters, committing violence and18different crimes and intimidation against these19people.20QCould you just repeat the answer that21you just gave?22APardon me?23QI’m sorry, could you repeat the answer24that you just gave?25AI was a part of Dorothy Lightbourne’sSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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131campaign. She’s the present Attorney General of2Jamaica and a member of the Jamaica Labour Party, the3executive campaign where she had run in this4constituency, and there was literally no violence; she5didn’t advocate that kind of thing, at all.6It wasn’t until James Robertson came7here years after she left to represent the same8constituency that she represented years ago and it was9a totally different situation when he came, because he10advocated violence on the opponent, on his own people,11death, murders were committed, guns were secured,12things were happening that were not happening before.13QNow, how do you know that James14Robertson was responsible for the guns that were15distributed and the murder that was committed?16AI have been told by the same very people17who have committed these specific crimes.18QYou were personally told –19AInformed directly of how they20transported it, things that were ordered, that kind of21thing, by the people that did the crimes.22QWhat did those people have to do with23James Robertson?24AThey were in what I would call in25Jamaican terms, his “henchmen” or “shooters”. TheseSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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141were his people, the “henchmen” or “shooters”, as2they’re called, here in Jamaica.3QSo you’re alleging that James Robertson4has henchmen and/or shooters who commit murders for5him?6ADefinitely.7QHow can you be sure of that?8AI am 100 percent sure because it’s the9same people who run these things of who I have10mentioned in the statement that I gave to you that are11the same people that did these crimes and then related12these crimes to me.13All of these crimes I have, myself,14passed over to the police, some of these same people -15because it’s the same people who have committed these16crimes and told it to me, and I have been working with17the police for a number years and I have given a lot18of this information directly to them, themselves.19QCan you give me the names of any of the20individuals or the nicknames of any of the individuals21who told you about murders and other crimes authorized22or sanctioned by James Robertson?23AI have two people; one goes by the name24of Germane Jones.25The other is a man, I don’t have hisSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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151full name, he is now deceased, that goes by the alias2name of “John Gotti”.3QWhat was the name of the first person4that you said was involved in the murders?5AWhat was the name of who?6QThe first person who was involved in the7killing.8AYou’re kind of breaking up, I didn’t get9that question. I want to get the question right.10QThere were two people that you named who11were involved in killing; one was called “John Gotti”12and one was called “Germane Jones”?13AGermane Jones. Yes, he is alive.14QOkay.15APardon me?16QYou have given both of these names,17Germane Jones and John Gotti, to the police?18AYes, yes. Well, years ago, John Gotti19because he – Jones was one of the persons that20received, during the last general election, two21firearms and I can say for sure that John Gotti has22committed at least two murders and went – and one –23QThe individual known as “John Gotti”, I24assume that’s a nickname; is that correct?25APardon me?SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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161QI assume “John Gotti” is a nickname?2AYes, it is. Yes, it is a nickname.3Yes.4QYou say he received two guns, is that5what you said?6ATwo guns were issued.7QWho issued the guns to him?8AOkay. I can say for certain, 1009percent sure, that James Robertson had given the10members of the Jamaica Labour Party, in the Grantspen11area of Saint Thomas, two guns during the last general12election.13QWhat type of guns were they?14AOne was an SK assault rifle and one was15a Glock .40 semi automatic pistol.16QHave you ever seen these guns?17AI have never seen them, but they were18relayed to me by the person who received them, and19they did relate to me how and by what means they had20gotten these two firearms.21QWere you ever asked to kill anybody by22James Robertson?23APardon me?24QWere you ever asked to kill anybody by25James Robertson?SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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171AOn two occasions, yes. On two2occasions.3QSo James Robertson asked you,4personally, to kill individuals?5AHe asked me to kill on two occasions.6QDid he give you a gun to kill the7individuals with?8ANo, he did not. No, he did not.9QWhy did he think that you would kill10anybody? Have you ever killed anybody before?11ANo. I think it was mainly because of12desperation, because he had actually asked the guys13that he actually provided these guns to to commit14these crimes, and they had refused – for some reason,15they had refused. I think mainly because the person16that he wanted to be killed more than anyone else was17a guy by the name of Petrol Cecil Riley who was, in18fact, the cousin of at least two of the guys he had19actually asked to commit the crimes.20QSo James Robertson asked you to kill21Petrol Cecil Riley; is that correct?22ADefinitely, yes, sir.23QWhat did you tell him?24APardon me?25QWhat did you tell us him when he askedSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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181you to kill Petrol Cecil Riley?2AI did not answer at the time when he had3asked me, because I was more astonished.4What he had actually said to me is can I5arrange for it to be done, because he is frustrated6with the situation he is in because the very same men7that he had provided the guns with and money, too, and8asked to do so and he was very anxious to have this9done. He could not figure out why in the world they10wouldn’t have it done.11He had failed to recognize the fact that12the these men were actually related to the man he13wanted to kill, which was Petrol Cecil Riley.14QNow, do you remember approximately what15date Mr. Robertson asked you to kill Cecil Riley,16otherwise known as “Petrol”, approximately what date?17AIt was sometime in 2008, early 2008. I18don’t have quite the date, but it’s something I can19get for you, because I had actually went to a very20crowded motor vehicle dealer here in Jamaica that21specific day and I met James Robertson there; he was22on official government business, at the same location.23QWhat location did you meet him at?24AMotorsales of Jamaica Limited.25QWhere did you meet him?SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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191AA Mitsubishi car dealer.2QWhere is that, physically?3AIn Kingston, Jamaica.4QSo you met Mr. Robertson at the5Motorsales car dealership?6AYes.7QWhat address was that?8APardon me?9QWhat address did you meet him at?10AIt’s in Kingston on South Camp Road in11Jamaica; Kingston, Jamaica.12QWhere at the Motorsales dealership did13you meet him?14AI was actually talking to my sales rep,15because I had went there the very same day to pick up16a motor vehicle I had bought earlier on in the week.17QWhat is –18AHe came there, it was a chance19encounter. It was a chance encounter that we met20there.21QWhere in the dealership did you meet22James Robertson?23AIn the sales office. We met in the24sales office. It was an open office with just25cubicles, talking to the sales rep. It was a big,SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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201open office where everyone was out in the open.2QAnd Mr. Robertson asked you in the sales3office to kill Cecil Riley, otherwise known as4″Petrol”; is that correct?5AYes, yes. He had beckoned to me to step6aside and we walked a few feet away from the sales rep7that I was talking to and he started to relay what he8wanted done and what was happening, and that’s how it9took place and where it took place.10QTo the extent that you can, tell us11exactly what it was that James Robertson asked you to12do.13AI was listening to what his complaints14were, at first. He had asked me –15QNo, no, hold on. Stop.16Mr. Johnson, I am asking you some very17specific questions, all right?18AOkay.19MR. ROWE: Off the record.20(Whereupon, a discussion was had off the21record, after which, the proceedings22continued as follows23MR. ROWE: Please read back the last24question.25(Whereupon, the previous questionSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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211propounded by Mr. Rowe was read back by2the Court Reporter as above reported.)3THE WITNESS: Specifically asked me to4arrange to kill Petrol Cecil Riley.5BY MR. ROWE:6QNow, did he ever ask you to kill anybody7else?8AHe did ask me after, but not before that9date.10QDid he ever ask you, prior to that, to11kill anybody?12ANever prior to that first date at13Motorsales, never.14QDid he ever ask you to kill anybody15after that?16AYes, he did.17QWhen was the second time he asked you to18kill somebody?19AYou want me to lay out the second time?20QYes. When did he ask you to kill21somebody the second time?22AOkay. The second time he did it was23after the second attempt on my life, he came to my24home. He asked me specifically – he wrote two names25on a piece of paper; one was Kayon Treasure Cambell –SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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221QHold on, let’s start again and go a2little more slowly.3AOkay. The second he asked me to commit4murder was two weeks after the last attempt on my5life, the third attempt on my life, which was June of6last year.7QThat’s 2009, June of 2009?8AJune of 2009, yes.9QOkay. What did he do, at that time?10AHe came to my house and wrote two names11on a piece of paper. He pointed to the names, to the12name on top, which is Treasure Kayon Cambell;13″Treasure” is his alias and “Kayon Cambell” is his14real name.15QFrom now on, when you are giving us16names, give us the alias and then give us the real17name and spell the names for us.18Now, spell Treasure.19AThe first name he wrote – he wrote two20names on the piece of paper. The first name was21Treasure, T-R-E-A-S-U-R-E, alias; Kayon, K-A-Y-O-N,22first name; Cambell, C-A-M-B-E-L-L –23QAll right.24A– last name.25The other name was a man I only know bySOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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231his alias, Guns, G-U-N-S, from Seaport, Saint Thomas.2QOkay.3ASeaport, Saint Thomas.4QIn June of 2009 when he asked you to5kill Treasure and Guns, did you –6ANo, he had asked — He pointed to7Treasure’s name, which was the first name on the piece8of paper, and said to me that this name I should not9pay attention to, but he pointed directly at Gun’s10name and said to me that if I killed this man for him,11all my problems that have been happening, the three12attempts on my life and everything else that took13place in my life would go away immediately.14QOkay. Now, Petrol, what happened to15Petrol, to the extent that you know?16ACould you say that again?17QDo you know whether Cecil Riley, Petrol,18is still alive?19ANo, he is now dead.20QDo you know how he happened to be21killed?22AHe was shot and killed by three men at23about 3:00 p.m. in 2008.24QDo you know anything about how he was25killed? Do you know anything about how he was killedSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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241or who was responsible for his death?2AWell, yes. James Robertson had aligned3himself with a gentlemen by the name of Michael4Bennett; “Carter” is his alias, real name is Michael5Bennett, a well-known Jamaica Labour Party shooter6from the 1980’s, and this is the same Michael Carter7Bennett who had allegedly killed Jamaica’s first – who8he allegedly killed – he was the person that killed9the first politician ever to be killed in an election10in Jamaica.11QIs that Mr. McGan?12AThis man was killed in the 1980’s.13QWho are you saying that Mr. Bennett14killed, Mr. McGan?15AYes. Yes, he did. He was the one that16killed Roy McGan, the politician back in the 1980’s,17here.18QYou’re saying that Bennett killed McGan.19What does that have to do with the death20of Cecil Riley?21AJames Robertson had contracted a very22popular bridge contract to Mr. Bennett.23Mr. Riley, however, thought that he was24the one that was supposed to receive this contract,25and because of that reason Mr. Riley had tried andSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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251sent hitmen out to kill Mr. Bennett, a plot that was2known by the Jamaica police and heard of by several3citizens of Yallahs, Saint Thomas.4The whole incident blew apart after an5attempt was made to kill Mr. Bennett had failed and6that had developed a serious rift between Mr. Bennett7and Mr. Riley.8James Robertson took full advantage of9that and aligned himself, up to this very day and is10still a very close friend of Mr. Bennett, and it was11both of them that plotted and James was the main money12person that paid the young men to kill Petrol Cecil13Riley.14QAre you saying that James Robertson paid15somebody to have Cecil Riley killed?16ADefinitely. Yes, definitely.17QWho did James Robertson pay to have18Cecil Riley killed?19AThe two men that were directly involved20in the killing, one is now diseased, a man that goes21by the alias of “Butter”, he was killed by the police22in a shootout about a year after.23And one of them is now incarcerated and24went on a parade for the same murder of Petrol Cecil25Riley but was not pointed out.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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261QWhat is that person’s name?2AHe is incarcerated on different matters,3yes.4QWhat is that person’s name?5AHis name is Mark, he goes by the alias6of “Shotty Mark”.7Q”Shotty Mark”?8AYes.9QHow did you know this?10AWell, this is something that was known11by the police and citizens here in Saint Thomas.12The mother of Shotty Mark is someone13very close to me, someone I know well. She, herself,14had relayed this to me.15And, as a matter of fact, I directly had16passed information to the police that Butter, the one17that was dead, told me three days after the incident18that he was a part of the hit team.19I relayed this message to the20Superintendent of Police in Morant Bay. I did it21directly, myself.22QDid Butter advise you who paid him to do23the hit?24APardon me?25QDid Butter advise you who paid him to doSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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271the hit?2AYes, he did.3QWho was that person?4AJames Robertson.5QDid there come a time that your mother6was killed?7ACan you repeat that question?8QDid there come a time that your mother9was killed?10AYes. My mother was killed shortly after11the death of Petrol Cecil Riley. She died in June.12QWho killed your mother?13APetrol was — My mother was shot and14killed by three armed men.15QIn June of what year?16A2008.17QWhat was your mother’s complete name?18AHyacinth, H-Y-A-C-I-N-T-H; middle name,19Merl, M-E-R-L; last name Johnson, J-O-H-N-S-O-N.20QDo you know the names of the murderers21of your mother?22AIf I know the names of the men that did23the shooting, the killing?24QYes.25AWell, the police had informed me thatSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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281they – up to this day, they haven’t told me directly2who, specifically, the three shooters were. They have3people they have suspicions of, and these people are4people aligned to the Jamaica Labour Party, some of5who are still close to James Robertson, including the6alleged driver, a man that goes by the name of7″Flick”, alias, Flick, F-L-I-C-K.8QDo you know what Flick’s real name is?9APardon me?10QDo you know what Flick’s real name is?11AOh, I don’t know.12Pardon me?13QYou don’t know what Flick’s real name14is?15ANo, I don’t. No.16QWhere was your mother when she was shot17dead?18AShe sitting in a business place situated19in Yallahs Square –20QMr. Johnson, hold on.21You need to go a little bit more slowly22so we can take your statement.23(Whereupon, a discussion was had off the24record, after which, the proceedings25continued as followsSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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291BY MR. ROWE:2QWhere was your mother when she was shot3dead?4AShe was shot and killed in a business5place, which is a mini-mart in Yallahs.6QWhat is a mini-mart?7AA mini supermarket, like a corner shop8that they call it in the United States; a mini-mart,9convenience store, a convenience store.10QAt about what time in the day was she11shot?12AAbout 7:00 p.m.13QYou’re saying that three gunmen shot14her?15AYes, yes.16QNow, are you aware of who sent the three17gunmen to shoot her?18AIf I was aware of what?19QBased on your statement given to me,20were you aware of the three gunmen that were sent to21shoot her?22AWell, the police told me at first, after23the incident, that they, themselves, had went to her24before she was killed to warn her that they had25credible information that her life was in danger. SheSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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301did not ever relay any of this to me, it was the2police that told me, it was after she was killed, that3they did go to her earlier on in the day to warn her4that they had gotten credible information that she was5going to be killed.6QOkay. But who was responsible for the7killing?8APeople aligned with James Robertson, the9supporters aligned with James Robertson.10QHow can you be sure of that?11AThe police, themselves, had information12but did not have enough evidence to prosecute some of13the people that they told me, themselves, were14involved.15QDo you think that James Robertson should16be punished for your mother’s death?17AWell, I can tell you for sure that he18knew she was going to be killed. He had given them19the green light for it to go ahead, all because of the20fact that he was trying to cover the fact that he was21involved, and these same men had relayed to him the22plans before they did it. They told him what was23going to be done and he knew very well, before she24died, that it was going to take place.25QNow, when you say that he gave the greenSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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311light, what do you mean by that?2ASpecifically, he knew, they told him,3and in an effort to cover his deeds and in the4process, he directly ordered the death of Petrol Cecil5Riley, he had given them the green light to go ahead.6So, in fact, my mother had died because7of a reprisal.8What actually happened was James9Robertson had tried to point the whole thing in my10direction, and in doing so, had no choice but to go11along with these men and gave them the green light to12commit this murder.13QYour statement refers to Inspector14Carlos Bell; is that correct?15AYes, yes.16QWhat does he have to do with James17Robertson?18AInspector Carlos Bell was the person in19charge of crimes in the Parish of Saint Thomas. He20was alleged by James Robertson to be an opponent,21which is a member of the People’s National Party. He22was a cop that dedicated himself to root out these23criminals that were aligned to James Robertson.24James Robertson thought he could say it25was more of a political thing, more than a cop tryingSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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321to do his job. James Robertson had tried on several2occasions to have this man transferred or fired from3the Jamaica police force.4Mr. Bell, at one point, came to me and5told me that the Commissioner of Police in Jamaica6called him to inform him that there were allegations7about him involved in criminal activities. It was8specifically pointed out to Mr. Bell that James9Robertson was his accuser.10I met with James Robertson two days11after Mr. Bell came to me with the statement and I12specifically asked James Robertson what was happening.13He told me that Mr. Bell did not have14even half a clue as to what was really happening or15what he had said about him, because not only did he16say Mr. Bell was a criminal, he also told the17Commissioner of Police that Mr. Bell was the biggest18drug dealer this side of the country.19All along, when he was making the20statement, he was smiling and specifically told me21that he told the Commissioner of Police that James22Robertson was also a drug dealer; something that23Mr. Bell did not relay to me, only that he was24involved in criminal activity. But James was the one25who specifically told me that he not only told theSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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331commissioner that Mr. Bell is a criminal, but he was2also the biggest drug dealer this side of the country.3QMr. Bell told you that James Robertson4was the biggest drug dealer in the country; is that5correct?6ANo. James told me that he told the7commissioner that Mr. Bell was the biggest –8QI see, I’m sorry.9Now, in your statement, you refer to a10relationship between John Gotti, the alleged hitman,11and Gary Foster, that John Gotti was supposed to shoot12Gary Foster; is that correct?13AYes, that is correct.14QHow do you know that?15AJohn Gotti had mentioned to me directly16that he had gotten a contract from James Robertson to17kill Gary Foster.18QWho was Gary Foster?19AGary Foster is a PNP supporter, a United20States citizen, a PNP supporter here in Saint Thomas -21or Whithorses, in Saint Thomas.22QSo you’re saying that Mr. Robertson put23out a contract to kill Mr. Gary Foster, a United24States citizen, who was –25AYes, yes.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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341Q– living in Whithorses?2AYes, it is. Yes, he is.3I did notify Mr. Foster in writing about4this and I did inform the Morant Bay Police of this.5An attempt was made weeks after I told6Mr. Foster and the Morant Bay Police, by me, of two7men armed with firearms walking toward Mr. Foster and8a group of his supporters at about 8:00 p.m. one9night.10The people, which were his supporters,11saw these two men walking towards them, didn’t know12these men from this area and said they had prior13information from myself about Mr. Foster and rushed14him inside his house.15QApproximately when did that occur?16APardon me?17QApproximately when did that occur?18AThe specific date, it was sometime19during the last general election.20QYou say that there’s currently a –21AAfter the last general election, yes.22QWhat year would that be, in your23opinion?24A2007, 2008, around there. 2007, 2008,25the last general election, here in Jamaica. Yes, ISOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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351think it was 2008. In 2008, because Petrol Cecil2Riley died shortly after the Jamaica Labour Party came3into power, so it had to be in 2008.4QYou said there is a $3,000,000.00 bounty5on your head.6What do you mean by that?7AI was informed, again by the police on8more than one occasion, that there were contracts – at9least — I was informed by the police, here in Saint10Thomas, on at least three occasions that my life was11in danger.12QWho informed you of that, which police13officer?14AMorant Bay Police.15QWhich police officer told you that?16AIt was the Superintendent of Police, the17Superintendent of Police. One was — They transferred18these men very often.19QNo, what was are the names –20AIt was about three or four –21QCould you give me the name of any police22officer that told you that there is a $3,000,000.0023contract on your head?24AOkay. I was informed by the Morant Bay25Police. It was a team of about four or five seniorSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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361police officers that attended that meeting to warn me2about the contract.3QCould you give me their names,4Mr. Johnson?5AOne of them was a Mr. Jonathan Morrison.6I can’t remember the names of all of the7other people, because some of them were from Kingston,8from higher divisions, so I can’t remember some of the9names.10But Mr. Morrison was the Superintendent11of Police, at that time.12QMr. Jonathan Morrison?13AYes.14And I also was told that information on15a different occasion from a different Superintendent16of Police –17QWhat is that superintendent’s name?18A– Nesbeth.19QWhat is that superintendent’s name?20APardon me?21QWhat is that superintendent’s name?22ASuperintendent Jonathan Morrison, and23also Superintendent Marlon, M-A-R-L-O-N, Nesbeth,24N-E-S-B-E-T-H.25QSpell “Jonathan Morrison”, please.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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371AJ-O-N-A-T-H-O-N, Morrison,2M-O-R-R-I-S-O-N.3QWho is it that was supposed to have4placed the $3,000,000.00 bounty on your head?5AJames Robertson.6QIf the police knew that James Robertson7had put a $3,000,000.00 bounty on your head, do you8know whether or not he was interviewed or arrested?9AWhether or not he was what?10QDo you know whether or not Mr.11Robertson was interviewed or arrested?12ANo.13QWhen you say a $3,000,000.00 bounty, do14you mean that Mr. Robertson was prepared to pay15$3,000,000.00 to anybody who would kill you?16AExactly. Exactly.17QIs that 3,000,000 –18AIt was 3,000,000 to as high as198,000,000, because the police were informing me of one20figure and people on the street were telling me a21different figure, that it ranged from 3,000,000 to as22high as $8,000,000.00.23QWho would pay the money to kill you, if24you were killed? Who was supposed to pay the money if25you were killed?SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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381AThe person allegedly to be paying that2money is James Robertson.3QNow, as far as you’re aware, is4conspiracy to murder a crime in Jamaica?5APardon me?6QAs far as you’re aware, is conspiracy to7murder a crime in Jamaica?8ARepeat that?9QAs far as you’re aware, is conspiracy to10murder a crime in Jamaica?11AIs murder what?12QIs it a crime in Jamaica?13AYes, it is. Yes, it is.14QWhy didn’t you ask the police to arrest15Mr. Robertson?16AI, myself, had went, over the last two17years, to every senior member of the Jamaica Police18Force to report James Robertson’s invitation in my19mother’s death, the death of Petrol Cecil Riley, and20even a gentleman that was killed three months ago. I21had reported every single thing I have known about22these murders to the Jamaica police, as high as the23Commissioner.24QWhat is the name of the gentleman that25was murdered three months ago?SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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391AMichael Brown.2QDoes Michael Brown also have an alias?3AYes. His alias is “Gold”, G-O-L-D.4QWho killed Michael Brown?5AMichael Brown was killed by two men,6approximately 6:00 p.m. on a Saturday evening, about7three months ago in Yallahs Square.8QWho killed him?9AHe was killed by two men aligned to10James Robertson; a fact that I, myself, had gotten11information about this crime. I had gotten this12information about this crime approximately three13and-a-half weeks before it took place. It came to me14by means of one of the young men that was supposed to15be taking part in the murder, itself.16I not only went to the Morant Bay Police17to report this matter, I represented to matter to the18United States Embassy in Kingston that Mr. Brown was19going to be killed. I informed both the Morant Bay20Police and the United States Embassy on the very same21day. I told them who James had ordered to commit the22crimes, who it was coming from. I told them every23single person that was involved in this crime, both24the United States Embassy and the Jamaica police.25Mr. Brown was picked up based on mySOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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401information, taken to the Morant Bay Police Station,2and was informed by the Morant Bay Police that his3life was in danger and that the member of Parliament,4James Robertson, had a contract on his head.5He told the Morant Bay Police –6QHold on.7When you say, “had a contract on his8head,” would you be specific as to what you exactly9mean?10AJames Robertson had paid some men to11have him killed.12QOkay. So you’re saying that James13Robertson paid for individuals to kill Mr. Brown?14ADefinitely, yes. Yes, sir.15QAnd you’ve told that to the United16States Embassy and to the police commissioner?17AYes. No, to the Saint Thomas police,18which is where I live, and where Mr. Brown also lives.19QThis murder occurred in 2010?20AYes.21QWhat month of 2010?22AWe’re now in November.23I think this took place in — I think it24took place sometime in August or early September.25QYour statement refers to DeputySOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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411Commissioner Glenford Hinds.2What does he have to do with this3matter?4AWell, it’s someone my mother knew very5well. He was an inspector and someone I knew very6well from when I was a younger man.7I went to him on several occasions to8report all I knew about James Robertson, including the9passing of guns, murder, and everything else that I10knew of him. I relayed this message to him and told11him everything at great length, what had been taking12place over the last year and-a-half or two.13He had relayed to me, on more than one14occasion, that the Jamaica police have a file and they15knew of a lot of things about James Robertson in terms16of crimes he had committed, but no one is ever willing17to come forward to either testify against him, so that18is the sole reason why he was never, ever prosecuted.19But he did admit to me, when I relayed20all my problems and everything that I knew of him,21that the Jamaica police had information on him but22there was never anyone willing enough to testify23against him.24QDo you know why that is?25AWell, he is basically saying to me thatSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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421not only is the police in Jamaica afraid of political2reprisal, but the citizens, themselves, are very much3afraid of James Robertson and what could be done to4them if they should ever come forth and do such5things.6QYou indicated to me that you were7present with Mr. Robertson and Mr. Seawright on one8occasion; is that correct?9AYes, I was.10QExplain the circumstances of that11meeting to me.12AOkay. Mr. James Robertson was called by13then Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mark Shields, to14say that they have evidence or intelligence showing15that he is perpetrating crimes against me.16QWhat year was this?17AThis is in January of 2009. I was18actually in Miami. I made this call to Mr. Shields –19QAt that time, were you residing in the20United States?21AWell, I was actually fleeing for my22life, at the time. Because at that time, my mother23was already killed and there were at least two24attempts already made on my life, at the time.25QSo you had a discussion or you had aSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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431meeting with Mr. –2AYes. I was called to a meeting at3Jamaica House by Mr. James Robertson in regards to the4call he had gotten from the Deputy Commissioner of5Police.6I went to the meeting and he informed me7specifically that he did receive a call from the8Deputy Commissioner of Police outlying all the crimes9that he is committing and instigating against me.10He also mentioned to me that he knew11that ever since returning to Jamaica, I have been12importing some stuff, appliances and cosmetics for my13supermarket here in Jamaica, and he and the14Commissioner of Customs, Danville Walker, are very15close friends and he could get Mr. Danville Walker to16do a lot of things. He did not specifically say what,17but I took it as he knew that he could get18Mr. Danville Walker to stop my shipments from coming19into Jamaica, that’s basically what he was trying to20say, because Mr. Danville Walker’s name had nothing to21do with what I was called to that meeting for.22QWho else was present at that meeting?23APardon me?24QWho else was present at that meeting?25AMr. Seawright, which is now the ChairmanSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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441of the Jamaica Labour Party.2QWhat is Mr. Seawright’s first name?3AI can’t remember his first name. I4can’t remember his first name, but I was introduced to5him by James Robertson that specific day at a meeting.6He came into the office. As a matter of fact, he was7working directly for Mr. Robertson at that specific8time. He was never — He was not the Chairman, he was9not the Chairman, but a member of the Jamaica Labour10Party at that specific time. He was present in James11Robertson’s office, and that’s how I met him. He was12working directly for his office, because I had asked13him to make several phone calls. He was sitting there14briefly in the meeting, at one point.15QSo what was Mr. Seawright’s role at the16meeting?17APardon me?18QWhat was Mr. Seawright’s role at the19meeting?20AWell, he was there briefly. He had21listened in on the meeting for about five minutes. I22don’t specifically know or for what reason he was23there, except to say that he was specifically working24for Mr. Robertson as Secretary – for what – because he25was there again doing a different task, another task,SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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451at the moment. He was there doing several different2things, at the time.3QSo he was there when the discussion4occurred about the attempts – the conversation between5Mr. Robertson and Mr. Mark Shields?6AWell, when I went to that meeting, he7was back and forth in the office. He wasn’t directly8sitting in on the meeting, but he was back and forth9during the conversations with Robertson and myself.10He had not sat directly and was never a part of the11meeting, but was in occasionally during the one hour12or so I was sitting there talking to him.13QNow, you indicated to a Homeland14Security agent –15AYes.16Q– from what I understand, that you were17present at that meeting with Mr. Robertson where there18was a discussion between Mr. Robertson and yourself19about Olint; is that correct?20AYes, sir. Yes.21QWhat do you know about this?22What transpired at that meeting?23About when did that meeting occur?24AI can’t exactly remember, except to say25it was before the general election of 2008. I wouldSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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461say approximately six or so months before,2approximately.3QWhat was the purpose of the meeting?4AOh, well, we had went there to talk5about a contract that was in issue in our area,6upcoming work contract and general campaign7strategies.8QGo ahead.9AYes. We talked about basically10contracts and the following activities, these were the11basis of the conversations we had that day.12QHow did Olint come up?13AOkay. He had specifically asked me if I14had invested in Olint.15I said to him that every single time I16taken out money to invest in Olint, I never had any17money with in them, at all.18He specifically told me that Olint is19something I should trust, something I can have20confidence in, because he, himself, is someone very21close to the man on top of Olint, Mr. David Smith, and22also relayed to me that he had millions in Olint.23QWhere did he say he got the millions24from?25AWell, did he not say. He did not say.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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471He said two things to me that day, one2of which I did turn over to the United States Embassy3in Jamaica.4He did mention to me that he had5millions in Olint.6That information I did not turn over to7the US Government, but I told the US Government he did8say to me, during that same meeting, that on a good9week, he makes as much as 250,000 US dollars.10He did not, however, elaborate how he11made this money, but I specifically had relayed that12to the United States Embassy, that he did mention to13me during that meeting that on a good week -14specifically, word for word: “On a good week, I make15as much as 250,000 US dollars.”16QOkay. Now, in terms of your personal17requests, what is it that you want to have happen?18AWell, I am indeed seeking political19asylum –20QHold on, stop.21A– basically because I don’t feel safe22here anymore. I have tried to get help from the23Jamaican Government. I even went as far as writing a24letter to the Prime Minister and taking it to him25directly, myself, approximately two weeks ago.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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481QDid you have a meeting with the Prime2Minister?3APardon me?4QDid you have a meeting with the Prime5Minister?6AIt wasn’t a meeting, I just took the7letter to him. I spoke to him for about two minutes,8introducing myself.9There were two other people that worked10for the Prime Minister, one of which was his11secretary, and I did not say the things that I wanted12to say in their presence, so all I did was I gave him13the letter.14He opened the letter, read the two first15lines and then said to me, “It’s a long letter,” he16would have to take it and read it later.17I said to him, “It’s okay.” I18understood, because he had a long line of people19waiting outside to speak to him, and he put it back in20the envelope and said – specifically asked me if I had21a contact number, and I showed him on top all of my22numbers, e-mail address and everything, and this is23going three weeks now and I still haven’t heard24anything.25QYou would like political asylum?SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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491ADefinitely, sir.2QNow, do you believe that your life is in3danger?4AMost definitely; there were three5attempts on my life.6The police acknowledge the first attempt7and were not able to protect me. They had8intelligence that it was going to take place, and it9was only after I was ambushed two times during a1012-mile drive from my supermarket to my home in11Yallahs, I was ambushed by several gunmen, several12shots were fired.13I escaped and I left 200 meters down the14road; there was a second group of men waiting. I did15escape again, called the police shortly after to16notify them and was told then, by the police, that17there was supposed to be a police patrol along the18route, the 12-mile drive to myself, but at the last19minute, they had received an emergency call which they20had to respond to, so that is why the security detail21that was there to protect me had disappeared at the22last moment.23I was informed directly by the police,24themselves –25QWhen did that occur?SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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501A– they did have intelligence.2And the last occasion, the last attempt3upon my life –4QHold on.5When did the first attempt on your life6occur?7AThis occurred — Hold on.8It was in 2008. I don’t have the9specific date, but I was attacked while driving home10from my supermarket, after closing my supermarket. As11a matter of fact, the Superintendent of Police at the12time had sent three police officers to my supermarket.13They came, they were acting very14suspicious, taking security measures, but did not15inform me that there would be an attempt on my life.16I was told by them after the incident17took place that it was protocol and they could not18have relayed that information to me.19QSo there have been two attempts on your20life in the last two years; is that correct?21AThree. Three.22QWhen did the third attempt occur?23AThe second one happened at my24supermarket, six months after the first one took25place. I was there about 3:00. I was leaving mySOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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511supermarket, and as soon as I stepped outside, a young2man walked across to me, and less than 10 feet away3from me he fired eight shots, four of which hit one of4my customers; he was shot four times.5I managed to escape.6QWhat was the name of that customer?7AI will have to get his name. I don’t8quite remember his name, but he’s a customer, one of9my customers. He received four shots. He did10survive, though.11All of these are documented cases.12QYou can provide that individual’s name13on a later date?14AYes, I sure can. I sure can. I can15provide all the dates and everything that took place,16because they’re all recorded by the Saint Thomas17police.18The last incident took place last year19in June.20QIs that 2009?21AYes, sir.22At about 9:00 p.m., I was home with all23my workers. I had stopped attending my businesses24because of fear, especially after the second time,25when one of my customers was shot.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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521So for safety reasons, my customers and2my employees advised me not to go to any of my3business, so my life has been restricted. I was, at4one point, hiding on the north coast from hotel to5hotel.6As a matter of fact, I had went to Miami7to purchase a home and to acquire a Visa to allow8myself and family to go away to live in the United9States and hide.10And I, in fact, came back to Jamaica in11May of 2009 for a visit to the US Embassy. I was12called for a meeting for the Visa Hearing, and it was13less than two weeks after arriving here in Jamaica14that the last attempt on my life took place.15I was attacked by two armed men with16assault riffles at my home approximately 9:00 p.m. I17was injured during that incident.18QHow were you injured?19AI was shot during the incident.20QShot where?21AMy arm, my thigh and a bullet fragments22to my head.23QWhere were you treated?24APrincess Margeret Hospital in Saint25Thomas.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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531QDo you know the date of that incident?2APardon me?3QDo you know the date of that incident?4AI can produced that date, also. I can5produce that. There’s so many traumatic things that6happened, but I can produce you with all these7documents to substantiate.8QWho do you think was responsible for9that incident?10AThe man charged and now presently in11Court is Treasure Kayon Cambell, described as James12Robertson’s right-hand man, and still presently, to13this day, has been given several major contracts, road14contracts, by James Robertson. He is still very close15to James Robertson and is presently still facing the16Court on a charge of conspiracy to murder on my case,17the indent that took place at my house.18QSo the individual, Treasure, who had19been charged with conspiracy of murder, has been given20contracts by James Robertson?21AYes. They’re still very close, very22close. And, as a matter of fact, all three attempts23on my life, the man known as “Rameesh Rick Simpson”,24the very same man that James Robertson had went to25rescue in a shootout with the police, here in Jamaica.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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541QYes.2AThere was a famous case where James3Robertson went to rescue this man, Rameesh Rick4Simpson, here in Jamaica.5This man is implicated by the police6here in Jamaica in every single attempt on my life7that is made to date.8As recently as five months ago, I was9called to a meeting by the Morant Bay Police to say10they yet, again, uncovered a plot to have me killed.11The main perpetrator of this plot was revealed to me12by the police five months ago to be the nephew of13Rameesh Rick Simpson, the known James Robertson14shooter, and I was warned that my life was in danger.15There was a $300,000.00 contract out.16QWhen you say that there’s a $300,000.0017contract, what do you mean?18AThis young man was paid $300,000.00.19The money was actually coming down through James20Robertson to Rameesh Simpson, who was under tremendous21heat from the Saint Thomas police for various murders22and other crimes, so he had passed the contract to his23nephew.24His nephew, at the time, was wanted by25the police for attempted murder. He had shot at someSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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551cops earlier on in the year, and they told me2specifically that he was the one that got – this3contract was coming down directly from the member of4Parliament.5QWhat is the name of the member of6Parliament?7AJames Robertson.8I was given two versions by two9different groups of police; one is the Yallahs police,10where I live. They told me a different version, that11the money was paid but there was also additional money12spent to buy a gun to commit the crime.13QWhat type of gun was that?14AIt was 9 millimeter.15QWho spent the money for that gun?16AJames Robertson.17I was told by the Yallahs police that18the money was issued through a contract on the Yallahs19Bridge.20James Robertson had given the same man,21Rameesh Rick Simpson, the contract and then asked and22then told him that $300,000.00 from that money was to23be used to have me killed. So he had specifically24given this man a large contract and then told him that25a fraction of the contract he had received wasSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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561supposed to be used to have me killed.2This was all relayed to me by the Saint3Thomas police.4Besides the three attempts on my life as5little as five months ago, there was information from6the police that there was yet another attempt.7QYou’re aware of a letter that I sent to8the Honorable Pamela Bridgewater, US Ambassador to9Jamaica, on October 7th, “Re: Political Asylum of Ian10Johnson”; did you authorize that letter?11AYes. Yes, I did.12MR. ROWE: I’m going to mark that letter13as Exhibit B.14(Whereupon, the document referred to was15marked as Exhibit Number B for16Identification.)17BY MR. ROWE:18QNow, you believe that unless you move to19the United States, you will be killed; is that20correct?21AMost definitely.22QAnd you think that you will be killed –23AMainly because — The reason, as a24matter of fact –25QHold on, Mr. Johnson.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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571Do you believe that if you do not move2to the United States that you will be killed?3AMost definitely.4QWho do you think is responsible for5either trying to kill you or arranging through others6to kill you?7AJames Robertson.8QWhat position does James Robertson have,9to your knowledge, in the Jamaican Government?10AJames Robertson is a member of11Parliament for Western Saint Thomas and is presently12the Minister, Cabinet Minister, and the Minister of13Mining and Energy.14QNow, all of the things that you’ve told15me and Ms. Cameron, the licensed Court Reporter, what16you have told us today, under oath, in front of the17Justice of the Peace, Mr. Atkinson –18AYes.19Q– have you made all of these facts20available to the Jamaican police in the past?21AMost definitely.22QAnd you have made those facts also23available to the Prime Minister through a letter that24you gave him?25ADefinitely, yes, sir.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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581QWhat is the Prime Minister’s name?2ABruce Golden.3QYou have also mentioned a number of4other officials that you have brought the information5to their attention in Jamaica?6AYes, I did bring this information to7Jamaica for justice: Deputy Commissioner of Police,8mark Shields; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Glenford9Hinds; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Les Green.10QOkay.11AI have made all of these people aware on12several meetings.13QNow, do you have specific instructions14or specific information that you asked to request15political asylum.16Now, do you have any other specific17instructions with what is to be done with the Sworn18Statement that you have given to me, today?19AI would like this statement to the20relayed to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the21FBI, the authorities investigating Olint, the US22Embassy in Jamaica, Homeland Security and the23authorities investigating Christopher Dudus Coke.24QIs there any connection between James25Robertson and Christopher Coke?SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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591AThere most definitely is.2QWhat is that connection?3ANot only are they from the same4political party, but James Robertson was trying very5hard to be the member of Parliament for that specific6area, West Kingston, and so he has formed a7partnership with Christopher Dudus Coke.8QWhen you say, “a partnership”, what type9of partnership, a business partnership?10AWell, not specifically a business11partnership, I would say. He has made it in as a12strong man.13QWho has –14APardon me?15QWhat is the connection between16Christopher Coke and James Robertson?17AWell, as far as I know, they’re close18friends. There are a lot of rumors, nothing I can19substantiate, but specifically, I can say to you that20they are very close friends and James had several21meetings with this man that I know of based on people22who are very close to Mr. Coke, himself, that I knew23very well and I still know, and there are several24things that I can also say would concretely lead me to25believe they are very close friends.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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601QWhat are those things that you can say2concretely?3AMost specifically, I can tell you that4during a very publicized case which involved the5Jamaica Labour Party here recently in Jamaica, where6Mr. Coke was facing extraditement to the United7States. James Robertson had specifically went to a8second country.9QWhat was the second country?10AVenezuela, to seek refuge for Mr. Coke.11This is information that I also had12passed to the US authorities, here in Jamaica.13QHe sought to have Mr. Coke transferred14to Venezuela rather than the United States, why?15AYes, sir.16QWhy is that?17AIt was an attempt to have him take18refuge to prevent him from facing extraditement to the19United States.20The information I got was Mr. Coke had21reneged on the whole thing solely because of the fact22that he wanted to take much more people than was told23that he could take to Venezuela, and so the whole24issue fell apart. He was told that he could take as25much as five people along with himself, and he wantedSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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611to take as much as four times that amount.2QSo that deal fell apart?3AYes.4QI will submit your statement –5AI must also tell you, Mr. Rowe, that6besides the fact that my life is in danger, I have7passed several sensitive information to the Jamaican8police, some of which I even passed to the Prime9Minister in the letter I gave to him, and I think that10several of these information have gotten back to James11Robertson.12I am, in fact, here, right now, very13much scared of the police, themselves, because several14things that I have said to them have gotten back to15James Robertson; who, in fact, even as much as two16weeks ago went to my father to let him know that17several statements that I have made against him is18known to him.19QWhat else did he say to your father?20APardon me?21QWhat else did he say to your father?22AHe specifically told him that he had23went to high places and low places, and I have made24several statements about him, and these statements25include the same statements I have given you, murderSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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621and all those things, perpetrated against me and the2citizens here in Saint Thomas, also.3QI will comply with your instructions.4Let me ask you: Have you ever met me5before?6ANever. I have never met you before,7sir.8QPrior to hiring me as your attorney,9have we have spoken on the phone before?10ANever, I have never spoken to you11before.12QHave you ever met Ms. Cameron before?13ANever met Ms. Cameron before.14QAnd you’ve agreed to pay me a fair15attorney’s fee?16AYes, I have.17QAnd you’ve agreed to pay Ms. Cameron the18costs associated with generating a verbatim transcript19of these proceedings?20AYes, I do.21QPrior to concluding this statement, is22there anything else that you want to say or is there23anything that I have haven’t asked you that you wish24to communicate –25ACould you repeat that one?SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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631QPrior to concluding this statement, is2there anything else that you want to communicate to3the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the FBI, the4authorities who are investigating Olint, the US5Embassy, Homeland Security or the authorities6investigating Christopher Dudus Coke?7AYes. I would like to take part to have8justice done. I would like to take part, I would like9to be involved, and I will come and I will testify10truthfully as to everything that I have said here,11today, about James Robertson in Court if needed. I12will be present and I would love to take part and13participate in anything that helps to bring this man14to justice.15QYou have been a United States resident;16is that correct?17AYes, I have been. I have been a United18States resident for 20 years.19QAnd you voluntarily gave up your green20card?21AYes, I did, six years ago, voluntarily22gave up my green card for a Visa six years ago.23QDo you currently have your A Number, at24this time?25ANo. No, I don’t. No, I don’t.SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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641QDo you have any children?2AYes, I do. I have three children;3seven-year-old Breann Johnson that lives here with me4in Jamaica.5QWhat is her citizenship?6APardon me?7QWhat is her citizenship?8AShe is seven years old.9QWhat is her citizenship?10APardon me?11QWhat is her citizenship?12AJamaican. Jamaican.13QAre all your children Jamaican citizens?14ANo. I have two children, Ian Johnson,15Junior, a United States citizen.16I have Raven Simone Johnson, 18 years17old, who is also a United States citizen.18QDo you think that Ian and Raven’s lives19are also in danger?20AI would not say Ian and Raven, they live21both in Miami and Orlando.22But I can say for sure my wife, my23father, which still has a United States Visa, and my24seven-year-old daughter; I think our lives are very25much in danger, also. Their life is very much inSOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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651danger, also.2QYou have children that are US citizens.3Do you give them financial support?4AYes, I do.5As a matter of fact, Ian is living – Ian6Junior is living at the home I bought in Miami last7year. He is a caretaker and he is presently living8there, right now.9MR. ROWE: That concludes this10statement.11THE COURT REPORTER: Mr. Atkinson, I12want to confirm that you were present during13the entire statement.14MR. ATKINSON: Yes, I am. Thank you.15(Whereupon, the proceedings were16concluded at 4:09 p.m.)171819202122232425SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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66123CERTIFICATE OF OATH45STATE OF FLORIDA )6COUNTY OF BROWARD )78I, Michele Cameron, the undersigned9authority, certify that IAN JOHNSON, personally10appeared before me and was duly sworn.11WITNESS my hand and official seal12this 9th day of November, 2010.131415_______________________________MICHELE CAMERON16NOTARY PUBLIC, STATE OF FLORIDASOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.17PO BOX 350044FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 3333518Commission No.: DD744804Expiration Date: 12-27-1119202122232425SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550
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67123CERTIFICATE4STATE OF FLORIDA )5COUNTY OF BROWARD )67I, MICHELE CAMERON, certify that I was8authorized to and did stenographically report the9foregoing deposition and that the transcript is a true10record of the testimony given by the witness.11I further certify that I am not a relative,12employee, attorney or counsel of any of the parties,13nor am I a relative or employee of any of the14parties’ attorney or counsel connected with the action,15nor am I financially interested in the action.16WITNESS my hand in the City of Fort Lauderdale,17County of Broward, State of Florida, this 9th day of18November, 2010.19____________________________20MICHELE CAMERON2122232425SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT REPORTING, INC.954-767-0550

He was the Robin Hood- like ganja-for- guns gangster who wielded bloody and fearsome power in Jamaica, authorities say. But the rise of drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke may have had its start with a business snub from the eldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley.
Last week, Coke was finally brought to the United States to face weapons charges that could jail him for life, ending weeks of murderous riots that claimed 76 lives when police tried to arrest him.
In the early 1990s, as Coke allegedly took the reins of the family business in the Jamaican slums of Tivoli Gardens, there was one deal that ignited his rage, according to “Born Fi’ Dead” author Laurie Gunst. Ziggy Marley, Bob’s now-41-year-old son, was building a studio almost on the border of Coke’s territory, trying to provide aspiring musicians with a community base.
“Ziggy didn’t give the construction work to Dudus and his posse, so the Tivoli don was taking his revenge,” Gunst wrote. A series of killings cowed Marley, just as it expanded Dudus’ territory and consolidated his rule.
Coke’s rise in the underworld was swift — and deadly, authorities say.
His father, Lester — known as “Jim Brown” — was the architect of the Jamaican crime dynasty, twisted from a quiet, soccer-loving boy into a “bad, bad man” after surviving a shooting in his teens, a childhood friend told The Gleaner newspaper. “That’s when everything changed.”
The elder man fashioned his “Shower Posse” — so-named for spraying victims with bullets — into a drug-dealing conglomerate that employed his three sons. The youngest was Christopher, who earned his nickname “Dudus” — pronounced DUD-us — because he wore an African-style shirt favored by Jamaican World War II hero and Cabinet minister Dudley Thompson.
“It’s basically a family thing — gangster royalty,” said a law-enforcement source familiar with the Coke clan.
The gang rose to prominence on fear and intimidation, gaining a reputation for killing at the slightest offense.
US investigators believe the Shower Posse was responsible for approximately 1,400 drug-related slayings in the United States during the 1980s drug wars.
DUDUS, born Michael Christopher Coke in 1969, “had a brother named Jah T, who was sort of slated to take over but he was subsequently murdered in a shootout,” the source said. “There was another brother, Chris Royal. He also died in a shootout.”
Their sister was also gunned down. The father was still in charge in 1992 when the United States indicted him on conspiracy charges and he was arrested in Jamaica.
The day before he was set to be extradited, “his jail cell went up in flames and he died,” said the law-enforcement source. The violent mystery was never solved and no one was ever charged.
With no one else to take over, Dudus grabbed control of the family business — and soon became one of the world’s most dangerous drug lords, according to the Justice Department.
And, like the American gangsters of the ’20s and ’30s, he operated in the background, without flash or bling, forging loyalties, eliminating competitors and raking in millions.
Starting in 1994, the Shower Posse sold drugs by the ton, according to Coke’s indictment, unsealed in May. One investigator estimated that the gang smuggled at least 2,200 pounds of marijuana — and almost as much cocaine — into the United States.
The pot, a mix of ultra-potent Jamaican and Mexican varieties, also got shipped to markets around the world.
“It’s global,” said the investigator. “It’s pretty much anywhere you find Jamaican communities — the UK, Canada and the United States.”
The gang was open to creative payment plans — cash was good, of course, but it also accepted guns, electronics and even clothing as ” ‘tribute’ payments, in recognition of [Coke’s] leadership and assistance,” the indictment says.
For sneaking the product into the United States, Dudus preferred that his “mules” be female.
One Jamaican woman traveled to New York as a tourist, to buy clothes to sell back home — and was ordered by Dudus to carry cocaine hidden in her body.
“If the girls refuse to do so, then their businesses will be threatened and the clothing they sell and the money they earn will be stolen,” the woman told investigators.
All this information was gleaned from years of investigative work, which included phone taps that recorded Dudus arranging shipments of drugs and handguns.
But Coke isn’t just an alleged kingpin — he’s a folk hero in the slums of Kingston, where citizens revere him for providing handouts to the poorest of the poor, neighborhood security and jobs through his legitimate businesses, including a music-event company.
He’s also credited with helping to keep law and order by using his clout to punish crooks in an area where the government has little presence.
“He lives in a poor area, and because of his sale of cocaine, he basically plays the Robin Hood role,” Jamaican-born lawyer David Rowe, a University of Miami adjunct professor, told CNN
“After God, then Dudus,” one resident scrawled on a sign during the bloody manhunt for Coke. “Jesus died for us, so we will die for Dudus,” another sign declared.
It’s no accident that this jovial, stocky 42-year-old kingpin — called “the president” and “the general” by his admirers — sounds and acts much like “Dapper Don” John Gotti. Like the late mob don, Dudus appears the devoted father and community patriarch — as kindhearted to his neighbors as he is deadly to rivals, ruling a global empire from a sprawling white mansion with purple roof and awnings, nestled amid squalor.
That two-story hilltop compound is where Coke plotted his political cover, supporting the prime minister’s Labor Party and getting back millions in government grants for his firms after swinging the election for Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding by delivering the slum vote.
It’s also where Coke and his Shower Posse schemed to swamp New York with huge quantities of marijuana and cocaine, some sold in exchange for high-caliber American weapons used on the island to eliminate threats to Coke’s fiefdom, law-enforcement sources said.
“To an outsider, it might look like, ‘Damn, these guys are mean!’ But being from Jamaica, you see it growing up. You see it all your life,” one native arrested in New York told author Gunst. “I think maybe Hollywood had a part in the ‘rude boy’ thing, with the movies they put out, like certain Westerns. Jamaicans act out a lot of that stuff, want to be tough like outlaws.”
BECAUSE of Dudus’ po litical clout and sup port, Jamaican authorities waffled for months about whether to extradite Coke. But Prime Minister Golding finally gave into US pressure last month. His men headed to Dudus’ compound — and straight into a nightmare.
The slums rebelled. Re sisters piled junk cars onto roads, rigging them with homemade bombs or electric wires. Gang sters shot up police stations. Civilians flooded the streets.
“They don’t know, if he’s extradited, who will be there for them,” Professor Rowe said. “There are mothers wondering, ‘Who’s going to buy my child lunch?’ or ‘If I get sick, who’s going to pay my hospital bills?’ ”
Police responded with brutal abandon, killing more than 70 people — some of whom were dragged into the streets and shot dead, their bodies left to rot, locals said.
Helana Pinnes, an elderly resident of Tivoli Gardens, said she saw army forces shoot two young men at a house across the street.
“They take them out of that house. They take them out and kill them,” she told the Guardian of London. “There wasn’t a shootout with anybody.”
Another witness, Timothy Macintosh, said soldiers fired at unarmed residents. “Most of these people that died, they didn’t fight,” he said.
After five days of the siege, the United States warned Americans not to travel to Jamaica — potentially a crippling blow to the nation’s economy — and the government gave up its search for the elusive drug lord.
On Wednesday, police finally prevailed.
Dudus had donned a comical, curly wig and was riding with a pal, the Rev. Al Miller, in a section of Kingston when the vehicle was pulled over at a checkpoint and he was arrested.
Coke claimed he was on his way to the US Embassy to surrender. On Friday, he pleaded not guilty in Manhattan Federal Court. He faces life in prison.
Once in the United States — hauled here by the DEA in a Learjet — Dudus claimed regret at the lives lost in the fighting during the search for him.

“I take this decision, for I now believe it to be in the best interest of my family, the community of western Kingston, and in particular the people of Tivoli Gardens and, above all, Jamaica,” he said

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/drug_lord_brutal_rise_LDn1aR3kSTCsJQIiNZUL2H/0#ixzz0s3qXfOPa

Elonia and David Reynolds fled crack-flooded Miami Gardens soon after the murder of their daughter. They were afraid– but not of the drug dealers perched on every corner. It was their own rage that scared them, explains Elonia now: “I felt that I would see young boys on the street and run my car over them. My feeling was, Why are you able to be alive and not my child?”

As Riptide previously reported, the bloody standoff that has paralyzed Jamaica, as reputed drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke resists extradition to the United States, has local roots. In the 80s and 90s, Coke’s ultraviolent Shower Posse, then helmed by his father Lester Lloyd Coke, terrified cocaine hub South Florida with the gang’s trademark mass shootings.
Hilda LaToy Reynolds, killed by stray gunfire eighteen years ago as she celebrated her seventeenth birthday on a Miami-Dade dance floor, was one of an estimated 1400 people killed by the Shower Posse in the United States during that era.
“I think about LaToy every day,” Elonia– a gravely soft-spoken, strong-boned professional nurse– tells Riptide in her comfortable Pembroke Pines living room as her husband, also a nurse, sleeps off a night shift in the bedroom. “People say you get over it as time passes. How could I ever get over it?”
Near 4 a.m. on August 15, 1992, aspiring teacher LaToy was at Taste of the Islands, a Caribbean restaurant/nightclub at 20316 NW Second Ave, when gunmen opened fire on the crowded dance floor. They were apparently gunning for a single target, a rival gangbanger, but the shooting left five dead, including LaToy, and seventeen wounded.
One of shooter’s guns clicked empty as he pointed it at LaToy’s sister Natalie, says Elonia, which is “the only reason we didn’t have two caskets.”
The slaughter was the deadliest in state history and pure Shower Posse– the crew that was also implicated in similar mass shootings in crackhouses, in a packed Fireman’s Benevolent Hall, in a warehouse in a shootout with cops, and on a soccer pitch where a professional player was left dead.
LaToy’s murder tore apart her close-knit, conservative family, immigrants from South Jamaica. Her sister Natalie blamed herself since she had convinced honor student Hilda to go to the club for one dance: “She just couldn’t even spell her name right for about a year afterwards,” says Elonia.
The streets solved the murder, she says. While nobody was tried for the Taste of the Islands shootings, all of the players suspected by detectives were eventually either locked up for other crimes or murdered.
The Shower Posse was finally crippled by a RICO prosecution, and Elonia is no longer tempted to use her coupe as a revenge-seeking tank. But she’s watched with disgust as “Dudus” Coke has made himself a folk hero in her native country, just as his father Lester Lloyd did– by plying impoverished Jamaicans with cheap hand-outs of food and cash.
When a photo of ‘Dudus’ flashes on CNN, Elonia, a firm believer in the death penalty, sees the gangster who stole her daughter’s life. “Anybody who has anything to do with the drug trade has blood on their hands,” she says. “This boy [“Dudus”] needs to be put on the next boat over here, to face all of the horrors that he wrought.”
CLICK YASSO  ( Original Article)

Jamaican drug king’s father found fertile ground in Miami

The father of Christopher `Dudus’ Coke — at the center of a deadly gun battle in Kingston — found a fertile ground in Miami in the 1980s for his criminal activities.
Bullets, bodies haunt Jamaica Jamaican leader under fire over violent siege By JENNIFER LEBOVICH AND TRENTON DANIEL

[email protected]

It was 1988 and Lester Lloyd Coke’s Shower Posse — a notorious Jamaican drug gang — was deep into gun and drug running. He was wanted in a South Florida courtroom to answer to murder and drug charges, but never made it to Miami to stand trial.

Now, two decades later, another Coke is accused of running the Shower Posse.
It’s Lester’s son, Christopher “Dudus” Coke, the man wanted for extradition by the U.S. on drug and weapons charges and the object of a manhunt that has touched off a bloody battle between Jamaican authorities and his supporters in Kingston. The government announced last week that the violence had claimed 73 lives.
“All of this old stuff is coming up again,” said Len Cartor, a former Miami-Dade police sergeant who worked in the department’s warrants bureau and arrested the father, also known as Jim Brown, in the 1980s.
Though the father has been dead for 18 years, there’s still a painting of him in Tivoli Gardens, where some of the fiercest fighting between government troops and gunmen loyal to Christopher Coke took place last week. It reads: “Legend Jim Brown, don of dons.”
The violence that erupted in Jamaica has its roots in 1980s Miami, when Jamaicans and Colombians were the soldiers in the cocaine wars, say those who worked to put them behind bars.
Under Lester Coke, the Shower Posse — so-named because it rained bullets down on rival gangs — was centered in Jamaica, but its tentacles reached far into the United States
“It seemed like Miami was their secondary base of operations,” said retired Miami-Dade police Sgt. Kevin Dougherty, who tracked Coke while working with MDPD’s Warrants Bureau.
Coke was well-known to Jamaican law enforcement and was an activist in the Jamaica Labour Party long before he was indicted in 1988 along with dozens of others by a federal grand jury.“It was a whole gun-running and drug-running operation going up and down the East Coast,” said Andrew Reich, an assistant U.S. attorney who handled the case. “Coke was one of the lead players.”
Then, as now, the gangs enjoyed backing from political parties on the island.
“Tivoli Gardens residents looked to Jim Brown for leadership,” said David Rowe, who represented Vivian Blake, a Shower Posse leader indicted with Coke. “He was a well-known and notorious enforcer and that reputation followed him. He was always hounded by federal authorities when he was here. Once they became aware of the activities of the Shower Posse, Jim Brown was always under some degree of scrutiny.’
Rowe, who never met father or son, said there appears to be a difference in leadership styles between the two men.
“The father was a little more abrasive, prominent individual,” said the Jamaican-born Rowe, an adjunct law professor at the University of Miami and an extradition expert. “The son is a better educated person, and he’s quiet.”
In the summer of 1985, a U.S. Marshals’ task force was searching for dangerous fugitives in the Miami area. The Jamaican government had put out wanted flyers for Lester Coke, sought in the “mass murder” of 12 in May 1985 in Kingston. He was also sought in two other shootings.
That July 17, Doughtery got a tip that led authorities to a house in the Norland neighborhood in northern Miami-Dade County. A morning drive by the house revealed that a 5’10, 240-pound man believed to be Coke was inside.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/31/1657484/cokes-dad-once-thrived-in-miami.html#ixzz0pbm8MPTR

By CURT ANDERSON (AP) – 15 minutes ago

MIAMI — Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton is facing charges that he attempted along with others to buy a large quantity of cocaine from an undercover law enforcement officer.

A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration affidavit says Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, traveled to Sarasota last week to make the purchase along with two others. The DEA was tipped off by a confidential informant who agreed to wear a recording device during the drug negotiation session.

Banton, 36, faces a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, which carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence. Banton was being held at Miami’s downtown detention center Monday pending transfer to Tampa, where the case is being prosecuted.

A bail hearing was set for Wednesday in Miami federal court. The attorney handling that for Banton didn’t immediately return an e-mail seeking comment.

According to the DEA affidavit, Banton contacted the confidential informant last Monday about a possible cocaine purchase. The next day, Banton and other men met with the informant at Sarasota’s La Tropicana de Havana restaurant, where the DEA and local police had set up surveillance.

Banton allegedly arrived at the meeting in his silver Land Rover with the license plate “Jah One,” according to the affidavit.

Eventually, the group went to a warehouse authorities had outfitted with audio and video recording devices to make the cocaine deal. An undercover police officer pulled out one brick of the 20-kilogram load, according to the DEA, and one of Banton’s associate’s sliced it open with a knife.

Banton, according to the affidavit, “instantly wiped the blade of that knife with his finger and placed that finger in his mouth in what appeared to be an attempt to taste the cocaine.” After two more meetings at local restaurants between the informant and Banton’s associates, authorities arrested the associates and then took Banton into custody Thursday in Miami.

The husky-voiced Banton has been a major star in his native Jamaica since the early 1990s with brash dancehall music and, more recently, a traditional reggae sound. His career has been stunted in the United States because of his attitude toward gays, including songs “Batty Rider” and “Boom Bye Bye” which glorify the shooting of gay men.

Associated Press writer Jennifer Kay in Miami contributed to this report.

DIS SOUN LIKE A SHOW TO HELL SMH