Port of Spain; The first person in Trinidad and Tobago to be charged under the Trafficking in Persons Act of 2011 is a police constable. PC Valentino Eastman allegedly brought three Colombian women into the country and harbored them for the purpose of prostitution, was denied bail after appearing in court charged with 10 human-trafficking charges.
Eastman 52, of Julien Village, Princes Town who was last assigned to the Mon Repos Police Station, was arrested after the women were detained and handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit which launched an investigation into allegations made by the women. He appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington in the San Fernando First Court.
Prosecutor Ramnath Phillip brought to the attention of the magistrate Section 34 of the act which says matters must be heard in camera, and the identities of the victims and their families are to be kept confidential and any breach may lead to a $1000,000 fine therefore the court room had to be cleared of members of the public as well as press when Eastman appeared.
It was established that Eastman was a flight risk having access to leaving the country without the use if his passport, also it was felt he might interfere with prosecution witnesses. He was not called upon to plead and was charged by PC Ramlogan, he was denied bail. The matter was adjourned to April 15. Eastman's attorney will be applying to a judge in the High Court for bail. One of the charges carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison for a serving member of the protective services.
