MONTEGO BAY, St James — The legal troubles continue to mount for a St James man already accused in an impersonation scam involving Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS). Now, Kevin Graham faces a fresh charge — this time for allegedly stealing electricity.

Graham appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday to answer to the new charge of abstracting electricity.

The accusation stems from a May 15 incident in which a JPS security specialist visited Graham’s property and reportedly discovered six twisted wires and a “pothead” device — indicators commonly associated with illegal electricity connections. Suspecting theft, the specialist alerted the police who quickly removed the service wire from the JPS pole outside the residence.

During Wednesday’s hearing, the court was informed that both the arresting officer’s statement and a functionality certificate related to photographs taken at the scene were still outstanding. As a result, Graham’s bail was extended and he was ordered to reappear in court July 30.

This latest development comes as Graham and co-accused Peta-Gay Barnes-Jamieson are already battling charges stemming from a March 27 incident involving an alleged impersonation scam. The two are jointly charged with breaches of the Trademark Act and uttering a forged document. Both are being represented by attorney-at-law Charles Sinclair.

The allegations are that about midday on March 27, police received reports that a man was moving through communities posing as a JPS contractor. He was reportedly collecting payments from residents while driving a car — registered to Barnes-Jamieson — marked “JPS Emergency”.

Investigators say the ruse unravelled when Graham showed up at the police station to make enquiries, only to run into a legitimate JPS representative who immediately raised red flags. It was confirmed that neither Graham nor Barnes-Jamieson had any official ties to the utility company.

According to court documents police subsequently seized the vehicle and discovered two JPS-branded helmets along with a fake JPS contractor ID card. Further checks by JPS confirmed that the duo had never been authorised to use the company’s branding or conduct any business on its behalf.

Both Graham and Barnes-Jamieson are scheduled to return to court on July 30 for a case management hearing on the impersonation charges.