Firewoman gets bail after charged for using fake profile to defame senior fire officials

A 29-year-old firefighter, Latoya Chu, faced seven cybercrime charges when she appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday.

The charges relate to alleged incidents that took place between February 23 and February 26, 2024.

Chu, who is a mother of three young children aged nine, eight, and one, pleaded not guilty to the accusations. Despite not having legal representation, she was granted bail totalling $350,000.

The charges allege that Chu used a computer system to circulate false and damaging information about several senior members of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).

The individuals named in the charges include Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dwayne Scotland, four female firefighters, and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

The Police prosecutor stated that Chu is believed to have operated a fake Facebook profile through which she posted defamatory comments aimed at the complainants.

These posts were eventually flagged, bringing the matter to the attention of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which then initiated an investigation.

Following her arrest, Chu’s mobile phone was seized, and an analysis of the device purportedly confirmed that she had created the fake profile responsible for the posts.

When questioned by authorities, Chu reportedly chose to remain silent.

The prosecutor did not oppose bail, and Chu was granted bail at $50,000 per charge, with a total of $350,000 required.

Her next court appearance is scheduled for November 18, 2024.