Mastermind tells court he acted alone, seeks to admit guilt in gas station bombing

Five months after the deadly explosion at the Mobil gas station, the alleged mastermind, Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo told the court on Monday that he wishes to admit responsibility and claimed that he acted alone and the others charged were not involved in the tragedy.

When the matter was called before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, attorney Shellon Boyce, who is representing Poedemo, informed the court that she had visited her client and certain disclosures were made during their interview.

Boyce told the court she subsequently reached out to prosecutor Mandel Moore to explore the possibility of taking the matter in a different direction based on Poedemo statements.

Monday was set for the commencement of paper committal proceedings against Poedemo and three of the others accused; Alenxander Bettencourt, Johnny Boodram, and Krystal La Cruz. A total of seven persons were charged in relation to the matter. However, the three others are before another court in a different magisterial district.

Through a translator, Poedemo was asked by the magistrate what he intended to do regarding the charges. He responded that he would leave the decision to the magistrate and his attorney but stated that several of the persons charged in connection with the incident were not involved and that he alone was responsible.

When asked directly by the magistrate whether he was willing to speak and cooperate, Poedemo said he had already explained everything to his lawyer and wished to continue in that manner. He added that he wanted the matter concluded as quickly as possible so that those he described as innocent could be freed.

Pressed further on his intentions, Poedemo told the court he wanted to admit to everything. He stated that he was involved in the incident, that he received the bomb from an individual and that he personally placed it at the gas station.

He reiterated that the other accused were not involved and that he was solely responsible for the entire incident.

In light of the statements, Magistrate McGusty indicated that the prosecutor would have to consult with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before the matter could proceed.

Prosecutor Moore told the court he would require a formal proposal from Boyce to present to the DPP’s chambers, noting that the process could take approximately two weeks. The matter was subsequently adjourned to April 20 for a report.

Poedemo, Bettencourt, Boodram and La Cruz were charged jointly for the attack.

The other three accused—Wayne Correia, Ramesh Pramdeo, and Jennifer Rodriguez—are facing separate charges in other magisterial districts.

The October 26, 2025 attack had resulted in the death of seven-year-old Soraya Bourne.