Lawyers for three Bahamians in US cocaine scheme seeking plea deals

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

US defence attorneys representing three Bahamian men accused of playing key roles in a transnational cocaine trafficking scheme are seeking an additional adjournment of the pretrial conference to allow more time to review evidence and explore possible plea deals.

The defendants — Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis, former Royal Bahamas Defence Force Chief Petty Officer Darrin Roker, and Bahamian William Simeon — were previously granted a delay and are scheduled to appear in court tomorrow and again on June 9, 2025, for a status conference.

In a letter sent to US District Judge Gregory Woods yesterday, attorney Benjamin Silverman — who represents Ulrique Jean Baptiste, another defendant in the case — wrote on behalf of all parties, asking for more time to review discovery materials, engage in plea discussions, and continue investigating the case.

“I conferred with the government and other defence counsel, who all consent and I write to clarify that this was the request submitted earlier today by counsel for Mr Roker, even though that letter only referred to the defendants with June 9 conferences. Further, counsel for all defendants inform me that they consent to excluding time for an additional 60 days to allow time to review discovery and explore dispositions,” he said.

Curtis, Roker, and Simeon are among several Bahamians named in a federal indictment, alleging they exploited their official positions to enable the flow of drugs into the US. They were arrested in the US last year. 

Another Bahamian, Theodore Nathaniel Adderley, was initially named in the indictment, but it was later revealed that investigators had mistakenly identified him. The indictment has since been corrected to name Ulrique Jean Baptiste in his place.

The charges stem from a sweeping federal investigation alleging that traffickers moved tons of cocaine through The Bahamas into the United States since 2021, aided by corrupt Bahamian government officials, including senior police officers.

Comments

hrysippus says...

Good news, now perhaps we will find out the name of the high ranking politician who was named by one of the defendants as being involved in the corruption. Wouldn't it be great if we could place a bet on which politician it is with one of the local gambling dens? Which party members would have the better odds?

Posted 29 May 2025, 9:25 a.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

If a Bahamian official is involved. Call his or her name but just putting stuff out there with no names make no sense. A plea deal I believe means you are guilty as hell

Posted 29 May 2025, 12:49 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

"*A plea deal I believe means you are guilty as hell*"

That would be correct! The evidence must be so overwhelming there is no way you will argue "innocence" or "entrapment" with a snowball's chance in said place of succeeding

"*Putting stuff out there*" makes a whole bunch of sense, especially if its laid out in an indictment backed by heavy evidence. In fact "*putting stuff out there*" is a requirement to bring a case in court.

Not naming persons referred to in the evidence is also a standard practice, in PDiddys case for example, there's a witness testifying who is being shielded by the court for some reason that the court deems reasonable

Posted 29 May 2025, 4:37 p.m. Suggest removal

LastManStanding says...

Well not necessarily. Plea deals typically are given out when trying to get someone to talk and turn witness for the prosecution. "Snitch on your boys and prosecution will drop some of the charges/you'll get more lenient sentencing". That and/or the evidence is kind of shakey. Nobody gives a plea deal if the case is ironclad because heavier sentences look better for the prosecution.

Posted 30 May 2025, 9:45 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

That last part is a great point. The alternative is noone would accept if their chances of beating the charges looked great. But It is in the realm of possibilities that an innocent person could reason that theyd stand less chances of harm negotiating.

In this case?? They gat Curtis on video (and not the deep fake kind) negotiating use of govt planes for cocaine trafficking

Posted 31 May 2025, 4:12 a.m. Suggest removal

whatsup says...

Will we ever know who the high ranking politician is?

Posted 29 May 2025, 6:01 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

BY this time of next week, not only 'should' the schemer(s) name(s be known but who)s) them high ranking official(s) 'are', will require more than just a few for the 'Lord's Tabernacle Churchs' congregations, 'Sunday mornings recovery' services. -- left struggling with the, -- why them(s)? -- Amen! -- Yes?

Posted 29 May 2025, 10:31 p.m. Suggest removal

screwedbahamian says...

Whoever it may be allegedly, it's a person with unquestionably authority or influence for a high-ranking member of law enforcement to make such a seemingly guarantee, and the Cartel's confirmation. With the recent high-level meetings with movers and shakers in the USA on corruption in the region that the Name of this person would not have been sought or disclosed. If not sought or disclosed that says volumes of TRUSTWORTHINESS.

Posted 30 May 2025, 9:23 a.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

They know the name, they chose not to reveal it, likely because the evidence isnt as strong against them or theyd be getting tried too.... unless the opportunity to use the leverage is too great to pass up. This is why broke people, unethical people, dishonest people who are happy to accept rolex watches, plane rides, preferred seating at premier events, people with large debt, and people with drug or gambling addictions should never dawn the HOA. Too easily manipulated

Posted 31 May 2025, 4:18 a.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

Our culture is when making money, nothing is too dirty. We celebrate money, no matter how ot was made. We **love** money. That "*love*", I'd do anything to get it, is the root of all imaginable evil. And that is the mindset of the average Bahamian. I've heard "upstanding" people, people with influence say, "*if somebody offer me X to do Y, I'd take it*". Our political leaders depend on it. And try to make us believe its "normal".

Posted 31 May 2025, 4:20 a.m. Suggest removal

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