Tourist assaults police officer

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Brian Keith Gibbs, 39-year-old tourist who was visiting Belize on a Carnival Cruise Line from New York, was convicted of assaulting a police officer during his vacation in Belize. It is alleged that there was a misunderstanding that turned physical at Terminal One at the Fort Street Tourism Village. Gibbs is accused of behaving disorderly and pushing the police officer, Special Constable Alford Castillo.
On Friday, August 30, 2019, Gibbs appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts-Anderson where he initially pleaded guilty but asked the magistrate what he was facing if he pleaded guilty. She explained that no specific guarantee of a fine versus jail time could be given but that there are factors she must take into consideration in passing her sentence. Gibbs told her that he has respect for the law especially being that he works as a security guard back in the US. He admitted that he was caught in a heated moment and that things escalated. He begged the court for leniency and luckily, he was imposed a non-custodial sentence. The magistrate took into consideration that Gibbs is a first time offender who showed remorse for his action. He was fined $500 and was taken to an A.T.M. where he withdrew the cash to pay the fine.