A judge slapped four Jamaican women with various immigration charges when they appeared in court in the Bahamas on Tuesday.
The women -Shamara Shantell Francis, 26, Affrikkca Ezinma Walters, 22, Stepheny Alkila Wright, 38 and Nerdeen Curdela Pryce-King, 32, were charged with illegally engaging in gainful occupation.
No work permit
The police report that on July 13, the women were found at the lounge employed as entertainers without being granted a work permit.
They all pleaded guilty and were fined the maximum of US$3000 each or in default, serve six months in prison.
Additionally, Walters and Pryce-King were charged with overstaying their visitor’s status.
They both pleaded guilty and were fined US$3000 each or in default serve six months in prison.
Ordered deported
The other women were also ordered deported on payment of the fine or completion of their custodial sentence.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
The judge also charged Lincoln Leon Capron, the Bahamian owner of the club – Liquid Lounge, with employing the women without being granted a work permit by the Director of Immigration in accordance with Section 30 of the Immigration Act.
Capron was also charged with harboring an undocumented migrant .
It is alleged that on July 13, Capron was accused of deliberately intending to evade apprehension by the Immigration Department and knowingly harboured two people – Walters and Pryce-King at Liquid Lounge
However, he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The matter was adjourned for trial until August 10.
