Publisher of The Punch Ivan Johnson and two female companions yesterday pleaded not guilty to making a false declaration to a United States officer at Lynden Pindling International Airport on Monday. Johnson 58, of Graycliff, West Hill Street; Mickell Gomez, 20, of Farrington Road and Christina Toote, 21, of Star Estates, Prince Charles Drive, were charged before Magistrate Guillemina Archer in a Nassau Street court.

They were also charged with failing to declare $13,795 in U.S. currency, according to the United States of America and The Bahamas Pre-clearance Act. Johnson was celebrating his birthday the day he was arrested. He was taken into custody around 5:15 p.m. at the pre-clearance section of LPIA along with the two women, according to police. Johnson and his co-accused pleaded not guilty to the second charge as well and elected to have their case heard before the Magistrates Court. Prosecutor Ricardo Adderley did not object to bail. 

Attorney John Bostwick Jr. represented Johnson, Gomez and Toote, who all had their police bail revoked by Magistrate Archer. They were granted $7,000 bail each with one surety. The case is set for December 2.

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