KINGSTON, Jamaica – A pastor who pleaded guilty to defrauding a member of his congregation of a motor vehicle and a drum set was remanded in custody Tuesday.
Omar Johnson, 34, otherwise called Preacher, of Stony Hill, St Andrew, pleaded guilty to fraudulent conversion when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Allegations are that between September 2014 and November 2014, the accused was with the complainant when she purchased a motor vehicle and gave it to the him to drive.
It is alleged that the accused man transferred his name to the title of the vehicle and sold it in Constant Spring, without the knowledge of the complainant.
It is also alleged that he was given J$60,000 to purchase a drum set which he converted to his own use.
When the matter was mentioned on Tuesday, Jonhson’s attorney Jonathan Williams told the court that the motor vehicle was given to his client as a gift.
Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey told Williams that if his client was willing to come clean they could talk.
The complainant told the court that she was frustrated.
Pusey told the court that the matter was ready for trial.
However, in an attempt to avoid a trial, Williams told the court that his client wanted to make things right.
“I currently have J$80,000,” Williams said.
Pusey told the clergyman that he should not have been before the court.
“Allegations should not arise if you are a honest christian man. You are a man of God,” she said.
“Agreed this is very touchy,” the attorney said.
Seeking to make restitution, Williams reiterated that he had a fraction of the money.
“He intends to pay back everything, J$535,000, six per cent interest before sentencing,” he added.
In an effort to secure bail for his client, Williams told the court that based on his instructions, his client was asking for bail so that he could gather all the monies.
“I can see why we are here. He changed his plea to get bail. Him a sweet mouth,” said Pusey.
“My client is in a sticky situation, he cannot come up with a lump sum,” the attorney replied.
“This is a court of law not a ‘ginalship’,” the magistrate chided.
The J$80,000 was paid over in court and sentencing was set for June 16.
Racquel Porter
