A 36-year-old man, who was the subject of a widespread police manhunt linked to a string of alleged threats shared in a viral video across social media platforms, has been taken into custody and formally charged with the criminal offense of malicious communication.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) confirmed that the suspect, Clent Richardson, a national of Saint Lucia who was deported back to his home country from the United States in March 2023, was apprehended on Saturday, September 19. The arrest came after a weeks-long investigation into the context and origins of the threatening video that spread widely online.
Following his arrest, Richardson was officially charged on Monday, September 21, under Saint Lucia’s Computer Misuse Act for the malicious communication violation. He made his first court appearance before the First District Court the very next day, where the judge granted him release on $500 cash bail.
As part of the strict conditions attached to his bail, Richardson is banned from sharing any content on social media that expresses public frustration. He is also required to check in in person at the island’s Central Police Station every Tuesday before 6 p.m. for the duration of his pre-trial release. The legal case has been adjourned for further proceedings, with the next court date scheduled for November 5, 2026.
In the wake of the arrest, the RSLPF has issued a public reminder that all content shared to social media platforms can carry serious legal ramifications for users. Law enforcement officials noted that while all residents hold a constitutional right to freedom of expression, that right comes with the responsibility to use digital devices and online platforms in a lawful, respectful manner.
Police are also calling on all members of the public to think carefully before creating, uploading, forwarding or sharing any online content, especially material that could be deemed threatening, menacing, misleading, or designed to cause unnecessary emotional distress or widespread public alarm.