A man and a woman were yesterday charged with defrauding several companies of thousands of dollars over the course of a year and a half.
Monique Bethel, 32, of Gun Hill Road, and Kenyan Williams, 34, whose address was not given, were charged with seven counts of fraud.
It is alleged that the pair defrauded Bahamas Wholesale Agencies, on East West Highway, of goods in the amount of 2,698.54; Thompson Trading Company, on Shirley Street, of goods valued at $974.20; Island Wholesale, on Marathon Road, of goods valued at $1,559.28, and Caribbean Bottling Company, on Sir Milo Butler Highway, of goods valued at $1,402.50.
They were also charged with defrauding Nassau Blocks, on Gladstone Road, of $3,000; Premier Importers, on St. Albans Drive, of $2,500, and Lightbourne Marine Limited, on East Bay Street, of $5,795.
It is further alleged that Williams and Bethel attempted to defraud Premier Importers of an additional $6,500.
They pleaded not guilty to each count.
The crimes are alleged to have taken place between January 8, 2013 and May 6, 2014.
Williams was also changed with other fraud related charges along with Shauvez Bain, 25, of Pinewood. Bain is eight months pregnant.
It is alleged that Bain and Williams conspired to commit fraud between January 8, 2013 and December 2, 2013.
It is further alleged that Williams forged a Commonwealth of the Bahamas indenture conveyance for Christine Rolle between October 31, 2011 and November 1, 2011.
Williams is also charged by himself for defrauding Christine Rolle of $100,000 in cash.
Bain is charged with abetting Williams obtaining that $100,000.
Prosecutor Claudette McKenzie did not object to bail for Bethel or Bain.
Bethel was granted bail in the amount of $13,000 with two sureties and Bain was granted bail in the amount of $10,000 with three sureties.
Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans ordered that both women be outfitted with ankle bracelets despite the objections of their attorneys.
Bain's attorney Keith Seymour asked the magistrate to reconsider given his client's condition.
He also asked the magistrate to rely on the "humanistic element" of the circumstances.
Vogt-Evans said the ankle bracelet would not interfere with the hospital machines when Bain is delivering her baby. She noted that Bain is not the first pregnant woman to be outfitted with an ankle bracelet.
She said she has to give the same treatment to women as she gives to men.
"It is the same rule," she said.
As for Williams, McKenzie said he is charged with similar offences in another court. She added that he is also under investigation for another case.
McKenzie said Williams is a flight risk as there were also several warrants of arrest issued for him before police took him into custody.
Williams' attorney Stanley Rolle denied that his client was facing other charges. He said the matter was disposed of and Williams should not be judged by that.
As it relates to Williams being a flight risk, Rolle said he has five children and has obligations to his family.
He noted that the court could take away his passport and order reporting conditions to reduce the chance of Williams absconding.
However, McKenzie insisted that Williams has ongoing matters.
Vogt-Evans said if she were to grant Williams bail, she would place him on house arrest.
She said she would further review that matter during a bail hearing on June 13 at 1 p.m. She said the prosecutor would ascertain exactly what charges Williams is facing in another court.
The trial will begin on July 25. Vogt-Evans said Bain would be excused if she is hospitalized at the time.

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