US senators enter fray over jailed Georgia teen
(CNS): Skylar Mack was in the US news once again over the Christmas break after the two sitting senators from Georgia called for her release from jail in the Cayman Islands. Mack and her her Caymanian boyfriend, Vangae Ramgeet, are both serving a two-month prison sentence for breaching local COVID-19 isolation rules. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, who are both Republican incumbents facing run-off senate elections on 5 January, sent a letter this weekend to the Acting Consul General of the US Embassy in Jamaica asking him to intervene.
The senators said they were supporting her request for release and understood the right of the Cayman Islands “to enact appropriate regulations to protect the safety of its residents during this trying time and to impose fair sentences against those who violate such restrictions”.
But they said Mack had admitted guilt, regretted her actions and paid what they said was a substantial fine, and had been incarcerated for over a week.
However, the senators were factually incorrect, as Mack has not paid a fine but had paid costs to cover her stay at the government quarantine facility after she breached the home-isolation rules.
Mack and Ramgeet have now served nearly two weeks of their two month sentence and are expected to stay in jail for another two weeks unless they are released early on compassionate or other grounds at the discretion of the prison director.
The senators also raised the allegation made by her family that Mack has received “numerous threats against her life following the publicity of her case”, even though it is the family that is largely responsible for maintaining the publicity.
Mack’s family has also asked the White House and Georgia’s governor to intervene. They have been doing the media rounds in the US making a number of false and misleading statements about the case.
Meanwhile, here in Cayman Ramgeet’s family has remained silent about the plight of their loved one, who also spent Christmas in jail. Ramgeet aided and abetted Mack when he went to collect her from the place where she was supposed to be in home isolation and took her to a Jet Ski event where he was competing. The local watersports star won the race but organisers have since taken back the trophy and prize money. He also faces a temporary ban by the watercraft association on competing.
See the full letter from the senators here.
In no way disagreeing with the punishment handed out , it does appear to be a little selective , I do recall reading of various individuals breaking lockdown rules even for such menial things as having their hair done and not been punished in anyway whatsoever, presumably because they where locals or had connections.
In a pretty hilarious turn of events it appears at this point that BOTH of these Senators lost their re-election bids last night.
Not sure the protestations of two former Senators will be of much use to Skylar
2021 is already looking up
I’m amazed at the hatred / anger at an 18 year old girl who the news did not report was tested negative 6 times before she went to the beach. Next not reported was that she socially distanced at the beach, warning them and they ignored her. Doesn’t exactly sound irresponsible of her part. But she was then selectively targeted. Those who ignored her at the beach weren’t charged nor I believe even tested.
I’m also totally amazed that anyone anywhere, including the police escorting her and her boyfriend, thinks not wearing a mask is sane and magically believes “Covid is not here” – and won’t be. In my country we have seen many cases where 1/2 the people at a regular size party of 50-100 got it from a single infected person. Meanwhile the Caymans on 3 Oct allowed Public gatherings [to be]extended to 500?
Please note that on one cruise ship where it occurred it was found 17 days after the passengers were disembarked. Also note Covid was reported to be found on currency for at least 4 days and 9 days on stainless steel and plastic. And on floors and on shoes…
The Cayman government are fools as the Cayman’s total as of 31 Dec is reported as 338 COVID cases Cayman was 338 and of those, 294 had recovered, and there were 42 active cases. Not noted are the 2 missing – they were reported deaths. Also not reported is those who went undetected(asymptomatic) but were giving it to others. These are the seeds of Covid going into Cayman. Can one believe these numbers with a disease that is asymptomatic with the young and like flu in the healthy. How could I or anyone.
The belief that “it’s not here”- and won’t be – if we just quarantine the visitors is magical thinking. But, it also reflects sadistic hate. No thanks.
Caymanians have run down and killed pedestrians on bicycles and never served a day in prison.
Pretty good deal there.
She was informed of the law, she intentionally broke the law. She must pay the consequences. I understand her family argument. Especially given that Mac got nothing for a horrible crime. But, she did break the law with intention. So so sad, too bad.
So true.
This just in: Blowhard Republican, China profiteer, David Perdue going into quarantine after exposure to the Trump/Republican Virus. Let’s see if he espouses freedom for his own sad self.
Sen. Perdue quarantining.
The punishment surpassed the crime.. 2 young idiaots breaking a law, fort time offenders, but hurt no ONE….or are no further threat to the community.Why should I be feeding them in prison.
Then we saw a previous offense, which sentencing came after that, not given the appropriate sentence. After having MANY chances to get his act together….Because the person is in high places…😭
Either the covid Law is Unjust or the whole system is corrupt.
you must be Skylar Grandma…speaking on issues you clearly don’t have the time or braincells to understand.
If they both committed a crime in the US, would there be the the same consideration given along with the cheerleading squad, or if there wasn’t elections coming up soon in the US would letters have been written?
They are both currently being held in the cleanest, least violent and best fed prisons in the Universe, yes they are remorseful and even though she they both acted entitled, it sounds like only one was raised humble enough to accept their responsibility in the situation and quietly do the time.
And you then targeted her, a possibly asymptomatic Covid person, and put here in your jail. FYI: the 5 minute and the nasal swab test don’t work. Elan Musk of Tesla fame took 4: 2 are positive and 2 were negative.
She effectively fired a loaded rifle into a crowd. Luckily she missed. She could (literally) have killed hundreds had she reintroduced the virus to Cayman.
the covid 19 virus has a 99.9997% survival rate for people under 40
But yet all those people know older people and they could’ve killed someone. Not to mention the fact that we all went through a very strict lock down to get where we’re at. We can enjoy our life right now, she could’ve ruined it all.
These two could ruin it all? What about the lax entry enforcement.?.
These two got off easy. A Jamaican National is doing 6 months in jail for a Barbados quarantine breach. Also 2 people from the UK are in jail awaiting a trial for breaching quarantine. These two should be thankful they were in Cayman. All over the world countries are holding people accountable for quarantine breaches, and none have had as light a sentence as Mack and Rangeet
https://caymanmarlroad.com/jcan-sentenced-to-six-months-for-breaking-quarantine-in-barbados/
Are Georgia republicans up in arms to free the two Hawaiian passengers who risked the United Airlines flight? No? This person intentionally risked as an entire country.
I am sure little Miss Skylar is not having a good time in prison.
But just imagine how much more unpleasant it would be for her in a GEORGIA prison, her home state.
We went through 2 months of semi-imprisonment in our own homes and crippled our tourism industry just to prevent the spread of this virus. Just so we could walk around maskless and hug our friends. And this ONE selfish person could have started a chain reaction that infected the whole island.
Not sure why this is actually news. People are being fined & given jail in other counties for violating quarantine also . It is now the new normal.
Sure. What no one could foresee was Cayman actually enforcing a law. Kind of came from left field. Still seems random though.
True dat. Cayman doesn’t routinely enforce the la….unless they’re running one of their fearsome “CLAMPDOWNS” ha ha
Do the crime then do the time.” She admitted her guilt”. …… that’s all well and good but u still broke the law. Just cause you admit you wrongdoing does not release you from paying for it. If I kill someone and apologize should I not go to Jail?
I have read and seen quite a few of the U.S. news reports. They all say that she has received two months in prison. What they never mention is that with good behaviour she will only serve 40% of that sentence. She will therefore serve 24 days. When she is released they will claim the “early” release as their victory.
I think prior to Skylar Mack’s departure the allegations of death threats being made against her should be fully investigated. If true, the persons should be prosecuted. If these allegations turn out to be false, to made up lies (which I suspect to be the case) in order to try to make Skylar look like a victim and to secure undeserved sympathy – then there should be a new trial, and another prosecution. I believe it is likely the Cayman Islands is being unjustly maligned by her family and our reputation damaged. She should provide evidence, or pay for being manipulative and lying.
Weren’t there fines for transmitting fake news during the pandemic? How about slapping some on her now.