Jamaican entertainer and social media personality Pops YG has now been formally charged following an investigation into allegations involving a person under the age of 16.
The development marks a significant turn in a controversy that has been attracting attention across Jamaican social media for months.
Pops YG, whose real name is Ansel Fairclough, had been in police custody since October 26. His attorney, Donnovan Collins, confirmed the charge on Monday evening, November 2.
The charge was confirmed after a judge ordered the police to either charge Fairclough or release him by 6 p.m. that day.
Court Order Preceded Charge
The latest development followed an application filed by Collins at the Trelawny Parish Court.
Senior Parish Court Judge Vaughn Facey issued the order after the attorney raised concerns about the length of time his client had spent in police custody without being charged.
Collins argued that Fairclough had been detained beyond the 120 hours permitted under the Bail Act.
The attorney sought the court’s intervention through a habeas corpus application, which challenged the continued detention of his client.
The judge subsequently directed the police to make a decision by the specified deadline.
Collins later confirmed to The Gleaner that the police had complied with the order and charged Fairclough before the deadline expired.
Investigation Involved CISOCA Detectives
Fairclough’s latest arrest was carried out by detectives from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA).
The investigation centres on allegations that the entertainer engaged in sexual activity with a person under the age of 16.
His arrest followed an earlier period in which he was on pre-charge bail for a separate matter.
The earlier arrest occurred in September, when Fairclough was taken into custody at his Trelawny home alongside several other men during a TikTok livestream.
That investigation concerned suspected breaches of Jamaica’s Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act, commonly associated with lottery scamming.
The two matters are separate investigations and should not be confused.
How the Controversy First Reached Public Attention
The latest charge follows a controversy that had already generated considerable discussion online.
In August, Radamm reported on allegations involving Pops YG and several of his associates after videos and competing accounts began circulating on social media.
At the time, Fairclough maintained that former friends were attempting to damage his reputation following a breakdown in their relationships.
He also alleged that some of the individuals involved had been encouraged or paid by fellow social media personality RT Boss to make accusations against him.
Fairclough disputed claims about his own involvement and accused some of his associates of taking advantage of a female at the centre of the controversy.
Radamm had not independently verified those claims when the original report was published.
The subsequent police investigation and charge represent a significant development beyond the earlier social media dispute.
Court Appearance Date Still Being Finalised
Although the charge has now been confirmed, details surrounding Fairclough’s first court appearance were not immediately available.
Collins told The Gleaner that arrangements were still being finalised for his client’s court date.
The case now moves beyond the competing accounts that initially dominated social media, with the formal judicial process expected to provide the next significant developments.
It is important to distinguish between being charged and being convicted. The charge represents a formal allegation, and Fairclough’s guilt has not been established by a court.
Radamm will continue to follow the matter as further verified information becomes available.
