Fake lawyer representing inmates to join clients in prison

Fake lawyer representing inmates to join clients in prison
Warnika Russell (center), 25, of Zion Boulevard, is escorted into court on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. (FILE PHOTO)

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A woman who forged a Bahamas Bar Association identification to fraudulently represent and visit inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) will now join them as a resident of the facility on Fox Hill Road for the next 15 months.

Warnika Russell, 25, of Zion Boulevard, was charged with two counts of evading the requirements of the law by having and uttering a forged Bahamas Bar Association identification that authorized her to access the BDOCS to visit inmates as their attorney, “knowing the same not to be genuine”.

She was also charged with two counts of possession of Indian Hemp marijuana with intent to supply to another.

The charges stemmed from incidents on February 12.

Russell appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes.

She pleaded guilty to all charges.

The judge sentenced her to 13 months for drug possession in contravention of the Dangerous Drugs Act and 15 months for fraud.

About Royston Jones Jr.

Royston Jones Jr. is a senior digital reporter and occasional TV news anchor at Eyewitness News. Since joining Eyewitness News as a digital reporter in 2018, he has done both digital and broadcast reporting, notably providing the electoral analysis for Eyewitness News’ inaugural election night coverage, “Decision Now 2021”.