Only a few days before the start of the New Year, a former US soldier who was prosecuted after an illegal handgun was discovered in his car during a traffic stop in Jamaica was given a $500,000 bond.
Tamil Chin, a resident of Jamaica, appeared in St. Catherine Parish Court last week to answer accusations of unlawfully possessing ammunition and a prohibited firearm.
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Chin was required to turn up his travel documents and appear in person at the police twice a week as part of his bail requirements.
According to reports, on December 8, while conducting operations in a particular area of the parish, law enforcement officers from the St. Catherine South Police Division pulled over a car that Chin was driving.
The car and its belongings, including a black bag, were searched, and a 9mm handgun with a magazine holding 11 sounds of ammunition was discovered and taken into custody.
Chin was then taken into custody and given charges.
Chin’s lawyer stated in court during the bail request that his client was unaware that the firearm had been in his possession before the event.
The attorney explained that his client had just received an honorable discharge from the US army following two tours of duty in Afghanistan.
Chin also has post-traumatic stress disorder, according to his lawyer.
Senior Parish Judge Desiree Alleyne granted bail to Chin after she was shown evidence indicating he was born in Jamaica, including his birth certificate and an old Jamaican passport.
In order to be discussed on January 26, 2024, the case has been moved to the Home Circuit Court’s Gun Court Division in downtown Kingston.
