Keron Bruce charged for causing embarrassment to journalist, gets 100k bail
Popular photographer Keron Bruce who is alleged to be the person behind the animated character ‘Mudwata,’ was on Friday placed on $100,000 bail for using a computer to cause embarrassment to journalist Leroy Smith.
The 35-year-old of Soesdyke Back Road, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond/Grove Magistrate’s Courts.
The charge stated that on January 25, 2021, at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, Bruce used a computer system to disseminate information about Leroy Smith called Big Smith, knowing same to be false. The information published, according to the charge, subjected Mr. Smith to public ridicule, contempt, hatred and embarrassment.
Bruce pleaded not guilty to the charge which falls under the Cybercrime Act.
Bruce who is being represented by attorney-at-law Bernard Dasilva was released on $100,000 bail and instructed to make his next court appearance on April 29, 2022, for report and disclosure.
Bruce was arrested on January 28, 2022, just three days after, the BIG Smith News Watch made a public call with a reward of ONE MILLION DOLLARS for any information leading to the identity of the players behind the ‘Mudwata’ and ‘Guyana Uncut’ Characters.
He was arrested following information BIG Smith News Watch received from persons who came forward with creditable information after the $1 Million dollar reward was announced. Bruce was arrested at his East Bank Demerara home after the police secured a court order to search his home.
Following his arrest, several devices belonging to him were seized and in analyzing them, the police found videos and voice recordings for several contents that were packaged and uploaded to Social Media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, and recently Tik-Tok. The Police also recovered a voice-changing device.
