Jail for man who laundered almost $500,000

Editor's note: This story was amended on February 18 to correct a factual error.

A 61-year-old man was today jailed for three years after he admitted laundering almost half a million dollars.

George Howard Mouchette laundered the money over a four-year period, between June 1, 2006 and March 31, 2010.

The money was moved through Western Union and BFN.

Police became suspicious of his activity and monitored his Butterfield Bank account.

The court heard he had no job at the time despite there being large amounts of money in his account. The total sum involved was around $482,000.

Mouchette, of Sandy’s, pleaded guilty to two separate counts of money laundering.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said: “The evidence is that this money was laundered over a period of time to more than one country, particularly the United States and Jamaica.”

He continued: “In all the circumstances, I am of the view that these offences call for an immediate custodial sentence. The question is how long.”

Mr Warner can only sentence a defendant to up to five years in his court.

The court heard Mouchette is a drug addict and has been for years.

“He has said that his drug dependency drove him to commit these offences in that he was paid to launder this money for individuals for payment that he used to buy drugs.”

Mr Warner sentenced Mouchette to three years for count one, laundering $444, 000 and two years for count two, laundering $37,000.