Five men convicted on firearm-related charges have had their sentences significantly reduced by the Court of Appeal, following successful appeals arguing that a magistrate had improperly applied additional time to each sentence. According to Antigua.news, among those affected is well-known tattoo artist Ozsie Kelvin Russell, widely recognised by his nickname "Mongoose."
Russell had pleaded guilty to possessing an unlicensed 9mm Glock 80 pistol, ten rounds of ammunition, and a black suppressor. He was alleged to have attempted to discard the items from his bedroom window during an early morning police search. His sentence was reduced from three years and six months to one year, ten months, and twenty days.
Attorneys Wendel Alexander and Andrew Okola argued the appeals on behalf of the five men, successfully persuading the Court of Appeal that the magistrate had applied additional time to each sentence inappropriately.
A man identified as Challenger, convicted of possessing a .45mm Remington Rand pistol and seven rounds of matching ammunition, had his sentence cut from three years and eight months to one year and ten months.
Ricardo Howell, convicted in December 2024 of possessing a 9mm firearm and four rounds of ammunition, saw his sentence reduced from three years and two months to two years and two months. Jamal Prince, convicted in July 2025 for possessing a black and silver Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol, had his sentence lowered from three years and five months to two years and eleven months.
The most substantial reduction was granted to Jeson Cedeno, whose sentence was reduced to time already served. The Court of Appeal determined that Cedeno had been sentenced under firearm legislation that had not yet been amended at the time he committed his offence, meaning the harsher sentencing framework should never have been applied to him.
