Guilty! Speedy Cash's Esmie Jones remanded in custody

By Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

MANAGER OF the Montego Bay based controversial Speedy cash partner Plan - Esmie Jones, pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody after being dragged before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday to answer several fraudulent charges involving millions of dollars. Mrs. Jones' court appearance yesterday came as a major surprise to thousands of people, as police had earlier set her court date for today. However, in keeping with their strategic move, the police switched the court dates to prevent any unforeseen mayhem in the city, as the court precincts were expected to be crammed beyond capacity. The Montego Bay Police did not say when she would next reappear in court. Police said on the weekend that Mrs. Jones could not account for more than $100 million, which was collected from members and placed in the partner coffers.

Last week, detectives from the Kingston-based Fraud Squad had collected about a dozen statements from members who say they have been bereft of their monies by the partner plan. Police confirmed yesterday that to date, only $6 million has been reported misappropriated, but were expecting the figure to climb significantly, as hundreds of persons have been converging at the station to give statements. Confusion reigned yesterday along the Howard Cooke Boulevard and the Alice Eldemire Drive, which connects the Montego Bay Police Station, as scores of bewildered partner members blocked the roads in their bid to give statements to the police. Detectives from the Area One and Kingston Fraud Squad had their hands full yesterday, as they collected large amounts of statements.

On Tuesday, several persons were seen on the streets issuing partially completed statements, which were prepared by the Montego Bay CIB for the relevant spaces to be filled in. These statements along with copies of receipts are to be submitted to the police, which will be tendered in court. But some unscrupulous persons were selling the statements and even bogus photo copied receipts. Crime chief for St. James, Detective Deputy Superintendent Roy Boyd said Tuesday that it was illegal for anyone to sell any printed documents, which they claim is coming from the police department. Mrs. Jones, about 63 years old, was picked up by the Montego Bay CIB while in Windsor district, St. Elizabeth, last Friday. The Speedy Cash Partner Plan gave birth late last November in Montego Bay and had promised quick huge returns on small investments. Since its inception, branches were established in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Falmouth, Trelawny and Brown's Town in St. Ann ­ all of which have now closed down. Last Thursday, members protested in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, after turning out in their thousands at the Strand Theatre to collect their monies, which was not forth coming. Strand Street became impassable to vehicular traffic throughout the day, while sections of St. James Street were blocked for a short period. On that same day, one cashier who was employed to the Speedy Cash Partner Plan was beaten by an angry mob along Barnett Street. Several other cashiers have since gone in hiding following threats on their lives. Last weekend, Mrs. Jones' husband had reported to the Montego Bay Police that he had received a telephone call, threatening to set their Farm Heights dwelling on fire. But while Mrs. Jones was in custody over the weekend, thieves broke into her Farm Heights Lot 182 residence and stole several items. The police were called in and on arrival, three men were held with some of the goods. They are Errol Simpson, of 8 Sunlight Terrace, Kingston 13, Caple Williams, 31, bus driver of Bay Road, Little London, Westmoreland and Kelao Che Akwanza Addae, 18 of Bouganvilla Avenue, Kingston. They are on bail pending the outcome of a court hearing.

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