Teen Facing 4 Months In Prison In The Cayman Islands 4 Breaking COVID Rules

[BUtterfield 8 41,818]

Skylar Mack, an 18-year-old woman from Georgia, is facing a four-month prison sentence in the Cayman Islands for violating the territory's COVID-19 quarantine protocols for visitors.

Mack's family appealed to President Donald Trump for help. On Tuesday, a State Department spokesperson told BuzzFeed News that officials are "aware of reports of the detention of a US citizen in the Cayman Islands" but had no further comment due to privacy considerations.

Mack flew to Grand Cayman on Nov. 27 to visit her boyfriend, Vanjae Ramgeet, a 24-year-old resident who was participating in a Jet Ski competition, their attorney, Jonathon Hughes, told BuzzFeed News. She tested negative for COVID-19 on arrival, according to a Cayman Islands Government press release.

As per the Caribbean nation's regulations, Mack was required to self-isolate for 14 days at a residential address upon her arrival. She was fitted with a geofencing wristband and issued a cellphone to monitor her movements during the isolation period, Hughes said. She also signed a document that forbade her from removing her wristband and leaving her residence during the 14-day period.

But two days after she arrived, Mack removed her geofencing bracelet and left her residence to watch Ramgeet compete at the crowded Jet Ski event.

She also interacted with people at the event for more than seven hours, the Cayman Compass reported. Police were called after event organizers were notified that she was in breach of her isolation requirements. She was not wearing a mask or her wristband, police said.

Hughes said that when questioned, Mack accepted she had violated the regulations by leaving her residence without permission. She and Ramgeet were then transported to a government quarantine facility.

On Dec. 4, Mack was charged with leaving her home during the mandatory 14-day quarantine, and Ramgeet was charged with aiding and abetting her.

They both pleaded guilty to the charges later that day, and they were each sentenced to 40 hours of community service and a $2,600 fine.

However, the country's public prosecutor said their sentences were "unduly lenient" and appealed to the Grand Court to impose prison sentences for the couple.

"These offenses should have been met with far more stringent measures,” the Cayman Islands director of public prosecutions, Patrick Moran, said during the appeal hearing last week. "When it comes to a matter of deterrence, the sentence imposed [is] likely to have little to no effect on other like-minded individuals."

Hughes argued that a prison sentence was too harsh for a first-time offense by an 18-year-old who had already pleaded guilty. He also said that Mack had lost a significant portion of her savings by paying the full fine and that she had received hate mail and death threats.

Ramgeet was also stripped of his prize money and award at the Jet Ski event, and he was banned from riding in the first few races of the next season, the Compass reported.

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[Midnightrush891 727]

Whatever she ends up getting she deserves. 

[ssslyboy 3,273]

Ironically, those cops aren’t wearing masks. 

[LilMonst3r 5,681]

Damn in the carrabean they dont play. Sucks the boyfriend was stripped of his prize money but I guess he is part of the reason why she broke the rules, he plead guilty. 

[Bradley 60,159]

4 minutes ago, Midnightrush891 said:

Whatever she ends up getting she deserves. 

How do you know 4 months is the exact right amount? Genuinely curious.

[Midnightrush891 727]

1 minute ago, Bradley said:

How do you know 4 months is the exact right amount? Genuinely curious.

I don’t, that’s why I said whatever she ends up getting. If it’s more or less that’s up to their government, but I feel it’s deserved. 

[Esteban 2,300]

So I guess Vanjae is single now? 

[js4754394o9823 6,882]

5 minutes ago, Midnightrush891 said:

Whatever she ends up getting she deserves. 

No one should go to PRISON especially not a CHILD

What's wrong with you?

[Dominic 11,922]

4 months? 💀

They're just trying to make an example out of her. It won't be that long, if at all, I guarantee. 

Edit: its now been reduced to 2 months 

[GreenDiamond 6,286]

its what she deserves

[Sorcerer92 837]

Glad this spoiled girl is getting punished. It makes me sick how many Americans think they can get away with breaking the rules in other countries. Now if only we could start throwing the degenerates that break the rules here in the states, maybe this thing could get under control. Bravo Cayman Islands. Bravo! 

[Anderson123 42,693]

4 months of prison ? Damn I feel like it's a little harsh for someone who tested negative. I think it'd have been right if she was positive and violated quarantine, putting more people in danger. I know this virus is a serious thing but I don't know, for an 18 year old with no past charges and who pleaded guilty? I guess the girl is going to learn not to ever do something like that again.

[Sorcerer92 837]

17 minutes ago, kukuryku666 said:

No one should go to PRISON especially not a CHILD

What's wrong with you?

An 18 year old is a legal adult not a child. 

[TaylorSwift 162,438]

27 minutes ago, BUtterfield 8 said:

She signed a document that forbade her from removing her wristband and leaving her residence during the 14-day period.

She signed it so she knew the consequences. 

[Midnightrush891 727]

14 minutes ago, kukuryku666 said:

No one should go to PRISON especially not a CHILD

What's wrong with you?

18 is not a child, did you read the article?