Caribbean National Weekly

American teen faces charges for disturbing JetBlue flight in Barbados

By Micaiah Morgan··2 min read
American teen faces charges for disturbing JetBlue flight in Barbados
Key Points(4)
  • <span style="font-weight: 400;">A 16-year-old American will face charges in a magistrate court in Barbados on Thursday following his plea of not guilty to behaving in a manner that interfered with the duties of a crew member.
  • They also requested that he refrain from posting anything related to the matter on social media.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Bellot's legal team, led by King Counsel Michael Lashley, argued against the stringent conditions proposed by the prosecution.
  • </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Lashley emphasized that Bellot was not known to any court, his passport was already in police possession, and one day of reporting coupled with the curfew should be sufficient.
  • </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Lashley further highlighted that Bellot had traveled to Barbados with a church group and was a choirboy who performed there.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">After hearing the arguments, the magistrate inquired about any potential mental health issues.

A 16-year-old American will face charges in a magistrate court in Barbados on Thursday following his plea of not guilty to behaving in a manner that interfered with the duties of a crew member.

The incident took place last Wednesday when the teenager allegedly uttered the words, "bomb the plane," while aboard a JetBlue flight.

Bail granted


Shiloh Cecil Bellot was granted bail in the amount of BDS$10,000 after appearing before Magistrate Douglas Frederick at the District 'B' Magistrates' Court.

Although the prosecution did not object to granting bail, considering the teenager's ties to Barbados, they requested that Bellot surrender his passport and travel documents to the court.

JetBlue
JetBlue Airways' first Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
(Photo via Insider)

The latest news from Barbados & The Caribbean

Read more articles about Barbados from Caribbean National Weekly

Surrendering passport and reporting conditions

Additionally, the prosecution asked for him to report to a police station at least twice a week and abide by a daily curfew from 6 pm to 6 am. They also requested that he refrain from posting anything related to the matter on social media.

Bellot's legal team, led by King Counsel Michael Lashley, argued against the stringent conditions proposed by the prosecution.

Lashley emphasized that Bellot was not known to any court, his passport was already in police possession, and one day of reporting coupled with the curfew should be sufficient.

Lashley further highlighted that Bellot had traveled to Barbados with a church group and was a choirboy who performed there.

After hearing the arguments, the magistrate inquired about any potential mental health issues. Bellot's parents, who were present in court, responded that there were none.

Last week, the Chief Executive Officer of Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), Hadley Bourne, and the Commissioner of Police, Richard Boyce, remained tight-lipped about the incident that led to the grounding of JetBlue flight B662.

Bourne referred to an "incident of a security-sensitive nature on one of our departing aircraft" and stated that the airport immediately implemented its security protocols.

Commissioner Boyce confirmed that the police received a report of a security breach at the airport and responded accordingly with trained personnel from his department.

 

More on Caribbean travel 


Related Stories

St. Vincent announces emergency measures to offset rising global prices

St. Vincent announces emergency measures to offset rising global prices

Bahamas imposes travel ban on visitors from three African countries over Ebola concerns

Bahamas imposes travel ban on visitors from three African countries over Ebola concerns

CARICOM foreign ministers condemn intensified US measures against Cuba

CARICOM foreign ministers condemn intensified US measures against Cuba

St. Lucia PM cautious on restoring death penalty amid growing public calls

St. Lucia PM cautious on restoring death penalty amid growing public calls