‘Sauceboss’ in hot water - Kemar Highcon faces up to five years in prison for grand theft auto

Dancehall artiste Kemar Highcon faces up to five years in prison if he is convicted of grand theft auto, an offence for which he has been been arrested in Florida, USA.

The artiste, whose given name is Kemar Woodfine, a United States citizen, was arrested on May 5.

The police report, obtained by THE STAR, indicates that the artiste, popularly known as the 'Sauceboss', was found driving a red, two-door 2014 BMW on West Atlantic Boulevard. Checks by the police revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen. He was detained without incident, the police said. There was no indication of him being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the report said.

"The defendant was the sole occupant of the vehicle and in actual, physical control of the vehicle at the time of the incident. The defendant was read his Miranda Rights to which he waived his rights and agreed to speak with police," a section of the report read.

However, it is not clear what the artiste told the cops as the section of report that reflects the Sauceboss' comments has been redacted. Immediately following the redacted section, the police report said Kemar Highcon "knowingly obtained the vehicle an attempt to temporarily or permanently deprive the victim of her property".

Speaking with THE STAR, attorney-at-law Oliver Smith, who practises in the United States, said grand theft auto is a felony in Florida as opposed to being a misdemeanour.

"It being a felony crime it carries more exposure," said Smith.

In Florida, conviction of a first-degree felony, which is the most serious, can result in up to 30 years imprisonment if there is a conviction. Second-degree felonies can result in up to a 15-year prison term, and third-degree felonies can result in a term of up to five years in prison.

Sammis Law, a criminal defence legal firm in Florida, said on its website that grand theft auto is a third degree felony, regardless of the value of the stolen vehicle.

Smith said that the deejay is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Kemar Highcon, whose given name is Kemar Woodfine, was catapulted into fame with the hit track So Saucy in 2018. He subsequently followed up with tunes such as Talk Bout and Doukie Bounce which made him a household name.