San Pedro Businessman Charged with Employing Undocumented Workers

Tonight, a San Pedro businessman faces multiple charges after being accused of employing undocumented workers at his bar. 38-year-old Nelson Raynaldo Gomez, owner of VIP Bar in the Emerald area of San Pedro Town, was arraigned in Belize City Magistrate’s Court today on 14 counts of employing a person not in possession of an employment permit. Gomez, who was represented by attorney, David McKoy, pleaded not guilty to all charges. The allegations stem from an incident on Saturday, March 15, when police and immigration personnel conducted a raid at his VIP Bar. Due to the unavailability of a magistrate in San Pedro, he was arraigned in Belize City. However, his case will be transferred back to San Pedro Magistrate’s Court, where he is scheduled to reappear on May 14, 2025. Meanwhile, the 14 Honduran women were arraigned in San Pedro Magistrate’s Court yesterday. They faced charges including failure to produce a visitor’s permit upon demand. All 14 women pleaded guilty and were each fined $1,000 plus a $5 court fee, payable immediately, or face six months imprisonment. As they were unable to pay the fines, they are now detained at the Belize Central Prison awaiting deportation to Honduras.