KINGSTON, Jamaica— Chief Parish Judge Chester Crooks on Tuesday recommended that the Crown refer a case to the Financial Investigations Division (FID) after learning that a man is accused, and in one case pleaded guilty, of defrauding complainants of their money.

The accused, Shaun Palmer is charged with conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by means of false pretense, non-delivery of goods or service on contracted date and engaging in a transaction involving criminal property.

When Palmer’s case was called up in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, it was heard that he allegedly defrauded two people of an undisclosed sum of money. One of the complainant’s was present in court and explained that he had contracted Palmer to import some tools, and had wired him a sum of money to get the job done in September 2023. This service was not completed.

The court further learnt that in another case, Palmer pleaded guilty to similar charges, and is currently making restitution to that complainant.

When judge Crooks heard this, he made the recommendation to the Crown to have the case referred to FID to conduct an investigation into money laundering.

“Mr Palmer is flirting with habitual offender territory and at the very least you need to reach out to FID because there could be a money laundering aspect… in which case the State may have to go after his assets,” Judge Crooks said.

Palmer’s next court date is set for March 20, 2025. He was remanded into custody.