United States national Jason James Grogg who a few weeks ago was arrested along with his family on gun and ammunition-related offenses is again before the court.
Grogg pleaded guilty to all the charges and was slapped with a forthwith fine of $25,000 by Magistrate Michael Laudat. The fine was paid and he was released.
However, Thursday, May 4, 2023, Grogg was at the Douglas Charles airport waiting to board a flight to Barbados and was arrested by Customs officials who alleged that he was wanted for questioning in connection with “false declaration to customs.”
He appeared before Magistrate Michael Laudat on five indicatable and three summary customs matters but was told by the Magistrate that since he had heard the facts on the gun and ammunition matters and the facts were similar he is obliged to “recuse himself from the matter for any possible likelihood of bias.”
“I have heard the facts in your first matter and since the question of bias may creep in, I have to be very careful and must recuse myself from this matter and send it before another Magistrate,” he said.
He also explained to Grogg, that if all the matters were of an indicatable nature he would have been able to deal with them since he would not be the final judge on the matter.
Smiling, Grogg nodded and acknowledged that he understood. Magistrate Laudat also explained to him that if they were the customs and criminal charges were brought together then he would have been able to deal with them but since they have been brought separately then he must send the customs matter before a different Magistrate.
Grogg is charged with several counts of false declaration to customs. The charges were not read to him and he remains in custody to return to court on May 9, 2023.