A new defendant has been charged in the ongoing high-profile investigation into the death of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul in Dominica, bringing the total number of accused individuals to six, with multiple current and former law enforcement officers among those facing charges.
Jolie-Ana Naomi James, a resident of Lagon in Portsmouth, faces two criminal counts: perverting the course of justice and illegal possession of ammunition, according to an official statement from Fixton Henderson, Acting Assistant Superintendent and Police Public Relations Officer. Henderson confirmed that James is scheduled to make her first court appearance on the day of the latest update.
The investigation traces back to July 24, when Paul was first reported missing to authorities. Nearly three weeks later, on August 12, human remains believed to be Paul’s were discovered in the Capuchin area of Dominica, launching a full homicide probe that has rocked the local law enforcement community.
So far, the case has led to charges against a range of individuals, including sitting and former police officers. Most recently, serving police officer Joshua Hamlet was formally charged with Paul’s murder, marking the second time a current member of the island’s police force has faced a murder charge in connection with the teen’s death. Before Hamlet’s arrest, 23-year-old former officer Jean-Luc Langlais was already taken into custody and charged with homicide.
Two other defendants have already been remanded into custody following court hearings. Nyoka James, a 21-year-old resident of Marigot who is also charged in relation to Paul’s death, saw her bail application rejected by the court and was sent to Dominica State Prison to await trial. Sitting officer Rennick Stevens, a Portsmouth-based officer charged with perverting the course of justice over his alleged role in the case, is also being held at the same prison after being denied release ahead of trial.
Local law enforcement has not released additional details about the alleged connection between each defendant and Paul’s death, nor have they shared a possible motive for the killing. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to build a full case ahead of the upcoming court proceedings.