Man Pleads Not Guilty To Firearm Possession, MDMA, Ketamine & Cocaine Importation
Alric Lindsay 
(stock photo- not a photo of suspected cocaine)
By Alric Lindsay
Leon St. Michael Hydes appeared in the Grand Court via video link today before Hon. Justice Richards during the October 2, 2026, mentions session, where he pled not guilty to all allegations.
The Indictment Charges
The allegations against Hydes stem from an incident on May 29, 2026. Hydes firmly denied all five counts brought against him by the Crown:
- Count 1 (Firearm Possession): Unlawful possession of a 9mm Luger pistol and a corresponding 9mm magazine.
- Count 2 (Ammunition Possession): Unlawful possession of an assortment of ammunition, including thirty-five 9mm cartridges.
- Count 3 (Importation of Cocaine): Importation of 10.2 kilograms of cocaine into the Cayman Islands.
- Count 4 (Importation of MDMA): Importation of 14.23 ounces of MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy).
- Count 5 (Importation of Ketamine): Importation of 0.97 ounces of ketamine.
Severed Legal Representation & Upcoming Trial
During the same hearing, attorney Gregg Walcolm noted that Deshawn Bailey, a co-defendant of Hydes, formally applied for new legal counsel. Following an application for Walcolm to come off the record for Bailey, it was confirmed that attorney Katie Williams will step in to take over Bailey’s defence.
For Hydes, defence counsel Candia James-Malcolm suggested that the matter proceed by way of a judge-alone trial, bypassing a standard jury selection. Justice Richards noted the application and scheduled a Case Management Hearing (CMH) for January 28, 2027.
The comprehensive trial is slated to commence on March 22, 2027. Hydes has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance.
