Laden Will Not Appeal Illegal Possession of Firearm Conviction

Dancehall entertainer Laden has not instructed his lawyers to appeal his five-and-a-half-year sentence.

The “Time To Shine” deejay, real name whose given name is Okeefe Aarons, had pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession in ammunition. He will, however, serve only four years, as he received 18 months for the illegal possession of ammunition charge, and four years for the illegal possession of firearm charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Laden was sentenced Wednesday (December 16) in the Black River parish court in St. Elizabeth before Justice Evon Brown.

The entertainer is represented by Thomas Levene and Jodi Taylor.

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer, Levene said he has not indicated any interest for an appeal, “Based on discussions with him after court, he has accepted the sentence, but we don’t know what may happen after,” he said. “In practical terms, Laden may apply for parole after one year”.

Last week, Laden was fined $2,000 for failing to obey the police. A charge for breaching the Disaster Risk Management Act for being on the streets after the then 9:00 pm islandwide curfew was dropped.

The artiste has been in police lock-up since his arrest in October, pleaded guilty to charges of illegal possession of firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, and failing to stop on the request of the police in relation to an incident in October where he was spotted breaching the national curfew set to limit the spread of COVID-19.

According to the police report, about 10:40 pm on October 28, lawmen were in Cheapside, St Elizabeth, when they signalled the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz motor car to stop.

The driver initially complied, but sped off when the police approached. A chase ensued and during the chase an object was seen being thrown from the sunroof of the car.

When the police caught up with the vehicle the occupants were arrested and taken back to the site where the object was witnessed being thrown from the car. The area was searched, and a pistol recovered.