Jayda Cheaves, Associate Gregory Wright Plead Guilty To Illegal Gun Possession In Jamaica
American businesswoman and social media star Jayda Cheaves and her associate Gregory Wright have both pleaded guilty to separate counts of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition in Jamaica.
The pair must pay fines of approximately $5,300 USD each and have managed to avoid the jail time imposed on two popular Dancehall artists, who also pleaded guilty to the same charges over the last year.
When they appeared in the island’s Western Regional Gun Court this morning, Cheaves and Wright were each sentenced to pay $500,000 Jamaican dollars (approximately 3,300 USD) or 12 months in jail for the gun charge, and $300,000 Jamaican dollars (approximately 2,000 USD) or 12 months in jail for the ammunition charge, according to Dadrian Gordon, an entertainment reporter at Television Jamaica.
Jayda’s attorney Michael Hemmings told Radio Jamaica that she will be paying the fine before departing the island later today.
Cheaves and Wright, both 24, were charged on Monday after two black cases, each containing a 9mm pistol, and 15 rounds total were found in their luggage as they were preparing to depart the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, aboard a private jet.
A release from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) said the US citizens admitted to owning the firearms, which were not declared when they arrived on the island via the jet last week to celebrate Jayda’s 24th birthday. “These weapons are licensed to the persons in question in their home countries, but not in Jamaica,” a senior Police source said on Monday.
They were both charged and then released on station bail on Monday afternoon.
In an Instagram Story post on Monday evening, Jayda told her followers to “Act Normal” before adding, “I’m good for now yall.”
Cheaves, who is also known as Jayda Wayda, is the mother of rapper Lil Baby’s son.
Dancehall artists Tommy Lee Sparta and Laden are both currently serving three and four years behind bars after they pleaded guilty to the possession of illegal guns and ammunition, which were found during police traffic stops. Sparta’s illegal gun has since been linked to two murders, however his attorney denied the singer’s involvement in any acts of violence or murder.
Upcoming deejay Rytikal is currently out on bail pending a conclusion to his trial on similar charges.
In 2019, a 22-year-old American visitor was arrested before departure at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston with 14 rounds of ammunition. According to the Gleaner, he pled guilty and was fined $500,000.