US Ambassador lauds Gov’t, Police for extradition of Guyanese fugitive

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann-Lynch has lauded the Guyana Government and law enforcement officials for their efforts in arresting and extraditing alleged murderer, Troy Thomas to the US this week.

“This past week US-Guyana security collaboration made history as we worked together,” the Diplomat said at a welcome reception held at her Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) residence on Friday evening.

Thomas was extradited to the US on Wednesday, the first Guyanese to be sent back to face charges and according to the Ambassador, the first extradition to the US in well over a decade.

“We will continue to partner with Guyana on the security front,” she noted.

Thomas who is accused of gunning down a young man, Keith Frank outside a house party in 2011 in NY, was arraigned on Thursday before Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth C. Holder on an indictment charging him with second-degree murder.

Justice Holder remanded Thomas to prison and set his return date for June 13, 2019. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

Ann-Lynch told those gathered including Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, other Ministers of Government and members of the Opposition, that the Embassy will also continue partnerships in the area of governance to strengthen public and private institutions to become more transparent and accountable.

With the production of oil expected to begin in the coming months, the diplomat also pledged to continue partnerships to encourage trade and investment into the local economy.

The US Embassy, Georgetown also said goodbye to Deputy Chief of Mission, Terry Steers-Gonzalez.

In brief remarks, Steers-Gonzalez who spent most of his three years here under the stewardship of former US Ambassador Perry Holloway, said he is honoured to have spent time in this country while it sets off on the path of major development.