Three Haitians held in Spanish Town plead guilty to overstaying, released for time served

The three Haitians who were held in Angels, Spanish Town, St Catherine and later found to have overstayed their time in Jamaica have been ordered released from custody due to time served.

Fedia Lizzare, Nancy Lizzare, and Liberal Schnieder on Friday pleaded guilty in the parish court and were each sentenced by Acting Senior Parish Court Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle to 10 days in prison.

However, given that they were in custody for the sentenced period, the two women and a man were ordered released.

Attorney-at-law Abina Morris told the court that her clients arrived in Jamaica legally, however they were desirous of travelling to Brazil.

Morris said that they submitted their passports to the Brazilian Embassy to secure visas to gain legal access to that country.

"Time had ran out on my clients before they got through and they were subsequently held for overstayed," Morris said.

The court heard that they arrived in Jamaica on May 18,2025 and were scheduled to depart on August 17.

On August 26, the police, acting on intelligence, arrested the three in Angels in Spanish Town.

They were handed over to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) for processing and were charged by the police for overstaying.

- Rasbert Turner

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