Popular social media content creator Natokie Cana Anthony has been fined $3 500, which must be paid in three months, for having prohibited imports – occult-related items.
The sentence was handed down on Tuesday by Magistrate Christine Phulchere in the First District Court. Anthony was convicted on May 14, 2024, after a full trial. The charges of possession of unlawful goods and prohibited imports stemmed from a joint operation conducted by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force on September 12, 2022, which resulted in the seizure of two crystal balls, a Ouija board, a Holy Bible – Heritage Edition, a Wiccan Bible, an Angel Witch Book, and a Book of Shadows, all of which are classified as prohibited imports under local laws.
During sentencing on Tuesday, Magistrate Phulchere said that while she had no intention of sending Anthony to jail, he had to be punished for breaking the law, and a fine was deemed an appropriate penalty.
Prosecutor Inspector Andre Etienne, noting that this case was the first of its kind, agreed on the appropriateness of a fine. He added that based on Anthony’s pre-sentence report, his income from bartending, social media content creation, and operating a tattoo shop, he could afford a monetary penalty, the maximum of which is $5 000 under Section 118 of the Customs Act.
Given the opportunity to respond to the prosecutor’s submissions, Anthony explained that he was currently only getting income from his content creation, and even that amount fluctuated.
“That’s the only source of income I have for now,” he told Magistrate Phulchere.
“It’s not as much as it was before. I’m not saying if there is a fine I’m not able to pay, but the impression the probation officer gave, I don’t get that anymore.”
Anthony, who had no prior criminal record, described himself as a law-abiding citizen and social media influencer who encourages people to do good.
“I don’t do any illegal activity. I’m a family man. I don’t know how I got myself in this type of situation,” he stated in his defence.
However, Magistrate Phulchere pointed out to Anthony that he did break the law by having the prohibited articles. At the same time, she acknowledged his prior clean record and the positive remarks in his pre-sentence report, which praised his character and contributions to the community.
Considering those factors, she imposed the fine for the charge of possession of prohibited imports. Anthony has until June 25, 2025, to pay the fine, or he will face a six-month prison sentence.
The prohibited items are to be destroyed, by order of the court.
On the charge of possession of unlawful goods, he was cautioned, reprimanded, and discharged.
