Erica Thomas seeks to clear her name

Erica Thomas through her lawyer, is seeking to clear her name after police issued a press statement publicly indicating she was arrested for money laundering.
Thomas’ lawyer, Jan Peltier said her client has been cleared of wrongdoing, since no charges were filed and the money police said was “seized” from her, has been returned to her.
According to Peltier, “Erica Thomas checked in for her LIAT flight on her own.  She had in her possession US $2000 and ECD $1750.”
She said, “Sometime after Lev Josiah checked in for the same LIAT flight.  At the security check point, he was found to have in his possession over US $20,000 and some EC currency.  When he was questioned, he told the police that some of it belonged to Erica Thomas. Erica was then removed from the departure and taken to Langford’s Police Station for questioning.”
Peltier told OBSERVER media her client accounted for her money and this was verified when the police investigated.
“After being questioned by the police, during which time Erica was able to account for the monies that were in her possession, she was released unconditionally,” the lawyer said.
A statement from police on Wednesday indicated Lev Josiah of Paynters was charged for making a false declaration, under The Customs (Control and Management) Act of 2013.
Josiah was intercepted  at the airport by Airport Security, on March 31 with US $18,696 and EC $785 in his possession. The cash was seized and he was later charged.
He appeared in the All Saints Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and was offered bail in the sum of $6,000. A cash deposit of $2,000 was required along with two Antiguan sureties.
He is also required to report to the Parham Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday between 6 am and 6 pm. He is to return to court on June 13. If he is convicted, he can be fined $50,000 or more, or serve five years in prison.