(CMR) Wilson J. Mendoza (43) has made threats to kills a young man over an existing 45-year-old easement on Lissa Lane, West Bay. Protesters went to the location yesterday to show their support for former government minister Mike Adam and his family and were ceremoniously greeted by fully armed police officers.
Mendoza, a former resident of New Jersey, purchased the property several years ago and since then has been in an ongoing dispute with neighboring homeowners, Mike Adams. The controversy surrounds a right of way to their home that was registered in 1973 with the Lands & Survey Department.
Since purchasing the property Mendoza has allegedly been the “passive-aggressive aggressor”. He has been seen in various photos and video footage blocking access to the only entrance that the Adam family has used for the past 30+ years. He installed a gate that goes directly in front of the easement as well as used locks and now rocks to disrupt access.
Lands & Survey Department, Registrar of Lands had an oral hearing and made a decision in March 2019 finding in favor of the Adam family. However, Mendoza has not appealed the decision per the law. We have spoken to a lawyer who stated that this is not a matter for the court as the Registered Land Law has the legal remit.
“I watched your videos with the police stating that they need a court order. If they would only examine the existing decision with a legal eye they would see that it's the equivalent of a court decision. It's laid out the exact same format as court decisions. It names the applicants, respondents etc. The decision provides background information, the evidence and the legal test applied. It ends with a decision based on legal precedent. Why the police believe they require anything further is beyond understanding and they should have sought advice from The Legal Department.”
CMR understands that last week the Chief Surveyor, Michael Whiteman made two site visits to the land in question. Eyewitnesses have shared that he explained to both the police and Mendoza that they have no legal right to block the road. He has proved all parties with the documentation required. However, police continue to allow him to block the roadway, claiming they have no legal remit to prohibit him from doing so.
Independent sources have informed CMR that the police noted on Friday that they were prepared to deal with Mendoza and force him to remove the blockage. However, after Whiteman left Mendoza appeared to be able to change the outcome in his favor yet again.
In light of this Mendoza continues to block the road creating a real hazard. Yesterday, emergency services were unable to get their ambulance to the Adam home. Instead, they were forced to stop and pick up the rocks as police stood by watching protesters.
Mendoza has also been accused of moving property markers and tow lines – which is a legal offense. Further accusations include him knocking down the street sign that was named after Lissa Adam two years ago and damaging their garbage bin.
In an ironic twist, the easement existed and was registered before Mike and Lissa Adam moved into the neighborhood and years before Mendoza was even born. However, the matter was only finally revealed after almost three years of alleging tormenting the Adam family on Friday when Mendoza used large rocks to entirely restrict the narrow access point that he has determined they can use.
The Registrar failed to indicate the width of the easement when it was registered In 1973. However, CMR understands the minimum width of an easement is 12 feet, and that is what Mendoza has allowed over his property. The easements from the King Road entrance over 4B 10, 4B 4, 4B 9 is registered at 20 feet along Lissa Lane to Mendoza’s property.
Mendoza is enjoying the use of the same easement over someone else's property which no restrictions or complaints since he has resided there full time for about six months. Despite that, Mendoza has stated that he wants the Adam family to establish a new access point via additional property that they own. He has said numerous times that there is existing access but maps clearly show that is incorrect.
The matter has escalated to the point where Mendoza can be heard making threatens to Adam's son and a family friend where he taunts them to hit him and later states:
“I will put you 6 feet under”.
The full audio is shocking:
“what you F**** looking atâ€. Then he taunts them to touch him and ends up saying “I will put you 6 feet underâ€. Instigates the whole thing.
Calls them P**** multiple times and then runs to the police claiming they are threatening him!!! Proceeds to call them a F*** bastard all in front of a Jamaican police officer who replies “Mr. Mendoza I heard thatâ€.”
You can then hear him going to the police and claiming that they threatened him. According to eyewitnesses, Mendoza has become adept at playing the victim with authorities, in particular, the police who sent armed units to the location on Sunday to offer him protection after he claims he was threatened yet again.
Despite making threats in front of police Mendoza has enjoyed full access to his property and what appears to be favorable treatment from the RCIPS with no criminal prosecution in sight.
However, the court of public opinion has not been so favorable. Upwards of 30 persons were on location at 1:00 pm Sunday afternoon as part of a peaceful protest. Video footage of yesterday's protest has already seen over 12,400 in less than 24 hours. The neighbors rallied around the Adam family and men moved a huge boulder to block the entrance way to access. Local resident and professional boxer Charles Whittaker shared:
“We want to show him what it feels like to have your access way blocked and potentially not be able to get to your home so easily. I am outraged that people can come to the Cayman Islands and take advantage of our CaymanKind. We have to be prepared to take back with is ours and stand up and speak up for others. I am most disappointed in our local police officers.”
Many comments showed how dismayed people are at the lack of enforcement of property rights. Additionally, persons came forward indicating that Mendoza owed several construction workers money for work completed on his home. Once noted that he had promised them other jobs claiming he owed a construction company and refused to take their phone calls.
In other footage, his three young sons can be seen throwing rocks at the Adams home. In an odd twist, Mike Adam was taken to court last year over a common assault charge after being arrested by West Bay Police Officer Denby Groves. It was alleged that Adam raised his hand at Mendoza which Adam states was in self-defense. The court did not record any conviction against Adam.
Mendoza and his wife, Deaven Ann Mendoza (nee Santiago) are both from Trenton New Jersey. The wife's mother, Treaty Santiago (nee Pouchie), migrated to the United States from East End.
Mendoza has made claims that he is an “ex-military man”. However, extensive CMR research has found that he worked as a nurse's aide. He also shared property off State Street in New Jersey with his father Wilson Mendoza since the mid-1990's.
Despite all of this the Adam family has a ruling in their favor from Lands & Survey that was also delivered to the Mendoza family stating their objection to the easement was legally sound. However, they have not exercised their right to appeal the decision but instead are resolved to seemingly torment the Adam family.
The Adam family will be seeking additional legal advice on how to proceed with the matter in the coming week; whilst community activists Sandra Hill and Charles Whittaker are appealing to elected officials to step in and assist where possible with the handling of the matter.
Hill shared:
“Mike Adam has served this country for almost 40 years as a public servant. Then he served as a representative and minister of the people. I can only imagine if his neighbors are so bold to try this with him what they would do to you or me. It's absolutely horrible that they are so blatantly ignoring the law.”
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