The Supreme Court’s No. 5A courtroom will reconvene on March 31st for the continued trial of Dwayne Omar Clarke, a used car dealership operator facing serious financial crime allegations. The defendant stands accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scheme that allegedly diverted over $42,000 from an unsuspecting customer through both theft and subsequent money laundering operations.
Court documents reveal two distinct sets of charges against the Warrens Crescent, St Michael resident. The first alleges Clarke stole $18,000 belonging to Joy-Ann Mapp between August 2019 and July 2021. These funds were reportedly proceeds from a Republic Bank Limited cheque originally issued to MD Auto Sales. The second charge involves an additional $24,500 allegedly stolen from the same victim on February 4th via another Republic Bank cheque, this time made payable to Clarke personally.
Notably, Clarke has entered not guilty pleas to all charges, maintaining his innocence against allegations that he knowingly possessed criminal proceeds and had reasonable grounds to suspect their illicit origins. In an unusual courtroom arrangement, the defendant is representing himself without legal counsel.
The prosecution team comprises three experienced state attorneys: Principal State Counsel Romario Straker, alongside State Counsel Maya Kellman and Eleazar Williams. Justice Christopher Birch presides over the complex financial crime case, which continues to develop as both sides prepare their arguments for the late March court session.