This morning at about 11:00, police charged Lionel Peter Castillo, 33, popularly known as “Cas,” who is employed as an investigator for the office of the Ombudsman, Paul Rodriguez, with extorting $1,500 from Kelvin Reneau, 31, an ex-prisoner of the Kolbe Foundation.
After being detained over the weekend, Castillo, a resident of #629 Oleander Street, appeared today in front of Magistrate Dorothy Flowers in Court #2 and was charged with a single count of extortion.
According to the police, on August 10, last week Friday, Castillo, while at Old Belize Cultural and Historical Center at Mile 5 on the Western Highway, acting as an employee of the Ombudsman’s office, obtained $1,500 (15-$100 notes) from Reneau, who has been out on parole since July 27 of this year, only two weeks ago.
Castillo pleaded not guilty to the charge and was offered bail of $2,000 plus one surety of the same amount, which he met.
Today, Castillo, instructed his attorney, Dickie Bradley, to speak on his behalf.
Bradley told us that his client is not happy with the way the Police Department has been handling the case, especially the manner in which the police’s press release was written.
The police report said that, “Following an intricate investigation, police on Saturday arrested and charged 33-year-old Lionel Castillo for the crime of extortion. The arrest followed an intensive investigation into a report by a former inmate of the Kolbe Foundation who reported to police that Castillo had been requesting monies for purportedly assisting the complainant in his early release from prison on parole. According to complainant, Castillo has been demanding and had received monies and wanted more. Prison officials became aware of the interaction and immediately contacted the police. The police then embarked upon an operation, whereas said complainant handed over to Castillo an additional amount of cash. Upon leaving, Castillo was searched and found in possession of the sum of money used in the operation…”
According to Bradley, Castillo believes that he is being set up, but Bradley did not elaborate as to why the police would “set up” his client.
In court, Bradley requested a quick trial.
Bradley says the charge levied against his client is questionable because he cannot understand why the complainant, Reneau, is alleging that Castillo has been requesting further cash from him when he was already out on parole.
Castillo had applied for a few days leave last Wednesday, we understand, and it was granted, so at the time of the alleged incident he was on leave from the office of the Ombudsman, but according to Bradley, as of today, Castillo will be suspended from his job until the conclusion of his case.
Castillo, as the “Ombudsboy,” did the legwork for the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s authority enabled Castillo unhindered access to the courts and the prison.
Bradley said that Castillo was at the Old Belize, but he was out celebrating his daughter’s birthday.
Kelvin Reneau was tracked down today at the Hattieville Prison, but he also refrained from commenting on the matter. He is on parole, and has been working at the prison since his release.
Castillo’s case was adjourned for September 11. We could not access the Ombudsman, Paul Rodriguez, for a comment at this time.