Monday 4th May 2026 – Turks and Caicos Islands
Four Border Force officers have been formally charged and brought before the Magistrate’s Court in connection with a widely circulated assault video that sparked public outrage and concern last year May.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Mr. Jolyon Hatmin today were Kirkford Gardiner 40, Kenyatta Grant 35, Asante Jones 30, and Sherchito Rigby.
The four accused, all adults, are jointly charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 11 of the Offences Against the Person Act.
According to the official charge sheet, it is alleged that on May 1, 2025, on Providenciales, the four men unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm on Guillermo Jose Ortega Rodriguez.
The matter stems from a video that circulated widely on social media shortly after the alleged incident, showing a gang assault attack on a lone male. The footage resurfaced again over the weekend, drawing renewed attention after News break that the four was criminally charged and published by Eagle Legal News.
All four defendants were represented in court by a team of attorneys including Mr Oliver Smith KC, Mrs. Lara Maroof – Misick, Mrs. Kimone Tennant – Jolly, and Mr. Ashwood Forbes, who appeared via video link due to his engagement in an ongoing criminal trial in the Supreme Court in Grand Turk. The court experienced some technical difficulties with the remote appearance but Mr. Ashwood Forbes had previously spoken to his client and the matter was able to proceed.
During the proceedings, of the accused indicated that he was prepared to proceed in the absence of his attorney, confirming that prior discussions had already taken place regarding the way forward.
The joint single charge were formally read, and the Chief Magistrate explained to the defendants’ their options. All four elected to have the matter tried in the Supreme Court, rather than the Magistrate’s Court.
The case marks the culmination of an investigation that has been ongoing for approximately one year. The accused officers had reportedly been suspended from duty during that period pending the outcome of the inquiries.
Each defendant was granted bail in the sum of $5,000.
The matter has been adjourned to the Supreme Court for a sufficiency hearing on July 3, 2026.
Eagle Legal News observed that the defendants were supported in court by colleagues from Border Force as well as family members.
The case now moves to the higher court, where the evidence — including the viral
footage — is expected to play a central role in the upcoming proceedings before a jury.
