Ms. Jean-Ann Panton was today (February 24, 2023) remanded in custody when she appeared in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston to answer charges for various breaches of the Larceny Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), the Forgery Act and, Cyber Crimes Act.
Justice Lorna Shelly Williams denied Panton bail, citing the gravity of the charges. Justice Williams set an interim date of April 19, 2023 for a bail application to be heard. Meanwhile, the matter will return to Court on June 15, 2023 for plea and case management.
Panton is a suspect in the joint investigation being led by the Financial Investigations Division (FID) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Fraud Squad into alleged fraudulent activities at Stocks & Securities Ltd. (SSL).
She was charged on February 17, 2023 and had her first court appearance on the same day. Prior to charges being laid, Panton was interviewed by investigators February 14 – 16 and, on January 20, 2023, searches were conducted on two premises in the Corporate Area connected to Ms. Panton.
The search operations were done in the presence of Panton and her attorney. This resulted in the seizure of documents and electronic devices to include telephones which, along with other evidence, continue to be thoroughly analysed.