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Housewife on $950,000 bail for obtaining money by false pretense, other charges
Accused Odessa McDonald at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court
Kaieteur News – A 33-year-old housewife was on Tuesday released on $950,000 bail for obtaining money by false pretense, two counts of forgery, and two counts of uttering forged documents.
Odessa McDonald appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore.
It is alleged that McDonald, between April 1 and May 22, 2025 at South Road, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $13 million dollars from Kevon Bess and Orlando Prince by falsely pretending that she was in the position to sell a parcel of land located at 2404 Block 3, Plantation Providence East Bank Demerara (EBD).
It is also alleged that on June 6, 2025 at Croal Street, Georgetown, she, with intent to defraud, forged a certain document that is one Guyana national identification card, to be in favor of Sharmain Alexis Patterson issued by the Guyana Election Commission.
On the same day at the said address, McDonald also forged a certain document to Kevon Bess, that is to say one Guyana national identification card, reported to be the name of Sharmain Alexis Patterson issued by the Guyana Election Commission.
On June 6, 2025, at Croal Street, Georgetown, McDonald, with intent to defraud, forged a certain document that is one Republic of Guyana Passport, to be in favor of Sharmain Alexis Patterson issued by the Central Immigration and Passport Office.
She also allegedly forged a certain document to Kevon Bess, that is to say one Republic of Guyana Passport, to be in favor of Sharmain Alexis Patterson issued by the Central Immigration and Passport Office.
McDonald pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The prosecution objected to bail stating that the accused is a flight risk and has misled law enforcement. They noted that the offence is one of a serious nature and can lead to human trafficking and terrorism. The prosecution said it was concerned with the accused interfering with the investigation and intimidating the victim. It also argued that once bail is granted, there is a possibility that the accused may continue forging documents.
Meanwhile, McDonald was represented by attorney Meshonn Persaud. The attorney told the court that her client is willing to lodge her passport and is willing to report to the station if necessary.
Persaud requested bail on the ground that her client is currently pregnant. She said while in police custody, her client was bleeding profusely. She said when she raised the observation with the police, they reportedly said ‘McDonald has a mouth of her own and she can say if something is wrong with her.’
Magistrate Azore after hearing the arguments, granted McDonald $150,000 for the obtaining money by false pretense, $150,000 for each of the uttering a forged document, and $250,000 each for forgery charge.
The matter was adjourned until July 16, 2025.
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