Convicted pedophile performing in Cayman?

(CMR) Several persons have reached out to CMR expressing concerns that a convicted sex offender will be the host of a concert in the Cayman Islands next month. Flyers that were in circulation showed that he is on the ticket to perform with Jamaican artiste Spice at her Tape Measure show on October 21.

Actor Lacell Parnell, popularly known as ‘Girlie' or ‘Mr. Handsome' was convicted for several sexual offenses in the United States in 2009.

He was found guilty of forcible touching, sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, and aggravated harassment in the second degree. The charges were in relation to a 13-year-old boy. He appealed the convictions but was unsuccessful.

Parnell, in a 2021 interview with The Star, said that he was innocent of the charges, which led to him being listed as a sex offender in the USA and later deported to Jamaica.

“If I was guilty of those charges, I wouldn't be talking to you today. I would have spent years in prison. When I came back to Jamaica, it didn't take me long to obtain a visa and go to England. And when you do that, they go and search every corner for information on you,” he told The Star.

The actor told The Star that he was the subject of much ridicule following his deportation to Jamaica.

“I remember when it first came out, people I know who would have hail me in a good manner stopped. Even people who I worked with in theatre never wanted to work with me when things flare up, but when the dust settled, everybody wanted to work with me,” Parnell said.

The actor said he feels hurt that the claims that landed him on the list of registered sex offenders in the USA are constantly used to judge him.

“I am a human being and I am not going to make no one make me go under a stone and crawl up. Sometimes silent means consent. None of us as humans are perfect. We all make our mistakes and have our feelings, but I am not going to make what you say determine my life, or my career, or determine my happiness,” he said.

In a recent Facebook live video, dancehall artiste Mr. Vegas questioned fellow dancehall artiste Spice's decision to perform at an event where Parnell will be the host. The event is being put on by Start di Fun Ent.