Belmopan Businesswoman Remanded for Firearm, Ammunition, and Drug Charges

The wife of businessman Joshua Moses Ashburn is now behind bars, joining her husband at the Belize Central Prison after being charged with four criminal offenses. Thirty-seven-year-old businesswoman Xochil Natalie Lopez, a resident of Belmopan, was arraigned late this evening, represented by Attorney Dale Cayetano. Lopez faced charges of keeping a prohibited firearm, keeping prohibited ammunition, and two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply. The charges stem from the discovery of a black Glock .40 caliber pistol, 24 live rounds of .40 ammunition, and over 8.9 kilograms of cannabis at her residence. Lopez pleaded not guilty to all charges. However, due to the nature of the offenses, the Senior Magistrate informed her that under Section 16 of the Crimes Control and Criminal Justice Act, bail could not be granted at the Magistrate level. As a result, Lopez was remanded into custody until January 20, 2024. She was advised that she could apply for bail at the High Court with her attorney’s assistance. Lopez’s husband, Joshua Ashburn, along with 20-year-old Keenan O’Connor and Mario Fernandez, was also charged earlier this week in connection with the same firearm, ammunition, and drug offenses. On Monday, November 25, Ashburn attempted to plead guilty to two counts of possession of controlled drugs, claiming he was guilty of possession but not with intent to supply. However, the Senior Magistrate rejected his guilty plea, explaining that the charge specifically required intent to supply. A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Fernandez, represented by Attorney Sharon Pitts-Robateau, stated that he was only present for work and was unaware of the drugs on the property. Both O’Connor and Fernandez pleaded not guilty to all charges. The four accused individuals are now scheduled to appear together for the first time on January 20, 2025. The case has drawn significant attention, as the charges carry severe penalties under Belizean law.