MONTEGO BAY, St James — After more than two decades, Desmond Wilson’s attempt to secure a Jamaican passport under a false identity finally caught up with him.

He pleaded guilty to making a false declaration when he appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday, resulting in the imposition of a $300,000 fine.

According to court documents, Wilson went to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) on February 6, 2002, and applied for a Jamaican passport under the name Brian Les Wilson. The application was approved, and the passport was issued, establishing a second identity that went undetected for more than 20 years.

The scheme fell apart when Wilson later submitted a new passport application using his real name. The discrepancy triggered an investigation by immigration authorities, who discovered the dual identity.

He was summoned for an interview and subsequently charged.

In court Wednesday, presiding judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton questioned why Wilson, who had no prior criminal record, felt the need to use a false name.

His attorney, Henry McCurdy, explained that during that time, visa refusals were common and, as a result, some individuals attempted to improve their chances by applying for passports under different names. McCurdy added that Wilson never used the passport he obtained through the false declaration.

Taking into account Wilson’s early guilty plea, judge Fairclough-Hylton imposed a $300,000 fine or, in default, 30 days in prison.