St. James motorcycle thieves get probation as government defends US migrant transfer deal

Two men described as known thieves have avoided prison after pleading guilty to stealing motorcycles from Irwin Police Station in St. James, with a parish court judge placing them on probation instead of sending them to custody.

O'Neil Dennis and Jason Stevenson admitted taking two motorcycles from the facility. When they appeared before Judge Anatisha Fairclough Hilton in the St. James Parish Court on Wednesday, she sentenced each to two years' probation and ordered them to work with probation officers.

"For the next two years, you will be working with the probation officers to become better citizens," Fairclough Hilton told the men. "I do that because I understand that both of you never had an easy upbringing, especially you, Mr. Stevenson. There comes a point in life when you put your past behind you and work towards a better future."

The decision followed social inquiry reports that portrayed both defendants unfavourably. Dennis has repeatedly been linked to larceny despite warnings from community members, while Stevenson was described as a known thief and negative influence. Residents claimed break-ins and other criminal activity increased after Dennis returned to the area. The report also noted Stevenson has an uncle regarded as a seasoned thief.

Police discovered the theft around 7:00 a.m. on October 3, 2025, when officers found motorcycles stored at the station missing. One bike was recovered the next day from a man who said he had recently purchased it from Dennis. Police spotted Dennis at his home on November 12 and tried to apprehend him, but he fled. He was arrested on April 7 and reportedly told investigators under caution that he obtained the motorcycle from Stevenson. Stevenson voluntarily reported to the police station on April 15 and allegedly admitted that he and Dennis removed the motorcycles from the compound, with Dennis pushing the bikes out while he assisted. A third motorcycle Stevenson said was his, and which had previously been seized by police, was also removed, though no charge was laid in relation to that vehicle.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has doubled down on the government's claim that third country nationals headed to Jamaica under a United States transfer arrangement are not deportees. In a social media post, Holness said Jamaica is not accepting foreign deportees under the memorandum of understanding on third country national transfers.

"The only deportees that Jamaica accepts are Jamaican citizens returning to their homeland under established agreements between both the countries," Holness said.

The controversy follows National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang's confirmation that Jamaica concluded an agreement with the US to facilitate transfer of a limited number of third country nationals, while insisting those individuals should not be classified as deportees. At Wednesday's post-Cabinet briefing, Chang disclosed that Jamaica would accept no more than 25 third country nationals at two-week intervals and would suspend transfers if more than 10 individuals remained on the island at any time. He said the arrangement applies to people who have exhausted legal avenues to remain in the United States but whose home countries are unwilling or unable to accept them.

"They are not deportees. They are third country nationals. They are persons who are in the US who have exhausted all legal means to remain there and for one reason or another, their home country will not receive them," Chang said.

Amnesty International has described third country removals as a policy under which the United States sends people it wants removed from its territory to countries other than their own, fueling debate over who Jamaica has agreed to receive. The London-based organisation argues the policy raises concerns about due process and the treatment of migrants in destination countries.

Addressing the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Chang said individuals covered by the agreement would not be permanently settled in Jamaica and would remain only while arrangements were made for onward movement, including return to their country of origin or another appropriate destination.

"The persons contemplated under this framework are nationals of countries other than Jamaica who would transit through Jamaica under a controlled process while arrangements are being made for their onward movement including return to their countries of origin or another appropriate destination," he said.

Chang maintained Jamaica retains full discretion over who is accepted, with each case considered individually and identity, medical, and criminal history records provided before any transfer.

A disabled man is in police custody after he was reportedly held with an illegal firearm inside Shoppers Fair Supermarket on Old Hope Road in Kingston on Wednesday. Deans Stewart, 41, of Mona Commons in Kingston 6, has been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of unauthorised ammunition.

Investigators said that around 12:30 p.m., Stewart, an amputee in a wheelchair, was shopping in the store when he was observed with a weapon. Police found a semi-automatic pistol with a magazine containing five rounds of ammunition tucked between his legs. He was taken to the Halfway Tree Police Station and charged. Police said Stewart is well known in the community and is frequently seen soliciting money from members of the public.