Ex-FBI agent faces gun-possession trial

FBI Agent Richardson Clyde Roller and Mercy Shirley Mwendwa at Mombasa Court. (Photo: Kelvin Karani/Standard)

A former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent was Monday charged in Mombasa, alongside his wife, with illegal possession of firearms.

Richard Clyde Rollier (left) and his Kenyan wife Mercy Shirley Mwendwa, who were arrested on Saturday, were charged with possession of two stun guns without lawful authority.

They denied the charges when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi and were released on a Sh500,000 bond with a similar surety.

The two were arrested while at their home in Nyali, Mombasa, according to police records.

The magistrate directed the American to deposit his passport with the court and report to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) once a month.

"Considering your citizenship, you shall deposit your passport with the court and report to the ATPU once per month," directed Ms Shitubi.

Prosecutor Sarah Ogweno opposed bail, saying the American was likely to leave the court's jurisdiction if freed pending trial.

"If the accused is granted bail, he should report to the CID offices in Mombasa and go to the ATPU," said Ms Ogweno.

According to the police reports, the American was arrested for the second time in a month over the alleged importation of banned goods.

The retired FBI agent, who came to Kenya 11 years ago, has been under police investigation for possession of explosives.