health

As a former Royal Bahamas Defence Force officer waits to be sentenced in a US federal court, one issue is now front and centre: his health.

Darrin Roker, 57, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. He faces a possible sentence of up to 20 years. Ahead of sentencing on January 21, his attorney has asked the court for leniency, citing Roker’s advanced prostate cancer and requesting supervised release and a return to the Bahamas.

A recent filing ahead of his sentencing describes Roker as “terminally ill”, according to the Tribune.

The filing states: “The progress of his disease will leave him in need of the care his wife and family can provide. He will suffer extreme pain, needing medication. He will likely be bedridden. He will be impacted psychologically. He has no family in the United States to visit him in prison.”

That request has led to the question: Can illness change a prison sentence?

The short answer is yes, but only in limited ways.

In the US justice system, illness does not erase a crime. A guilty plea still stands. The conviction remains on record.

Accountability does not disappear because someone is sick.

What health can affect is how a sentence is served.

At sentencing, judges are allowed to consider medical conditions alongside other factors, including:

• whether the prison system can properly treat the illness
• the cost and burden of care
• the person’s risk to public safety
• cooperation with authorities

In cases involving serious or terminal illness, a judge may decide that continued incarceration is impractical or excessively harsh. That discretion is part of the law.

But leniency does not mean freedom.

Supervised release often comes with strict rules, monitoring, and limits on movement. For non-citizens, deportation after sentencing may still be required, especially when the offence is classified as an aggravated felony under US immigration law.

Roker’s case has been moving through the courts since 2024 after his arrest in November of that year. Prosecutors allege he used his access to Defence Force maritime schedules to assist a drug trafficking operation between 2021 and 2024. He admitted to accepting payment and participating in the conspiracy.

As sentencing approaches, the case highlights an important distinction.

Courts may consider humanity, but they do not undo responsibility.

Serious illness can influence how justice is carried out. It does not make the crime disappear.

Grace Sweeting-Rolle never imagined fighting cancer alone after the sudden death of her husband in a boating accident in June.

After his funeral in June, she had a mastectomy on her right breast in September and now faces the challenge of paying for chemotherapy.

With a GoFundMe, Rolle has already raised over $4,000 but is hoping for a donation of $25,000 as she continues to fight and recover.

Rolle’s husband, Luke, known as the ‘Conch man’ in Eleuthera, was one of two men who died when their boat hit a reef near Rose Island on June 8. Before his death, she discovered the mass and was tested, awaiting the results. But not long after, Luke was killed and she then changed her focus away from her health to making funeral plans.

“During this time, I was scheduled for a mammogram and a biopsy, which I did. Two weeks later, my children received news that the lumps were malignant. At this time, they did not inform me, as they were advised to deliver the news after my husband’s burial, [since] I was in an emotionally distraught state,” her GoFundMe read.

The right breast was removed along with lymph nodes in the underarm area.

Rolle is now completing a series of chemotherapy treatments.

“A special thank you to each and every one of you who donated to my cause. My mastectomy was a success, and I am now in the process of recovery, thanks to Dr. Francis and the amazing team at Spectrum. God is indeed great.

“However, my journey is not completely over, as I still have to complete chemotherapy. I will appreciate it if you guys continue to share my page and donate so that I can complete phase two of beating cancer.”

Click here to help: Support Grace’s Battle Against Breast Cancer

It appears Queen Elizabeth’s health is deteriorating as doctors placed her under medical supervision at Balmoral.  Buckingham Palace said she “remains comfortable.”

• It is unusual for Buckingham Palace to issue a statement like this:
• All of her children have gathered and some are travelling to her Scottish estate. Princess Anne is already with her. Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, boarded a helicopter at Dumfries House in Scotland travelling to be with her, while Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex arrived at Aberdeen airport, ahead of their arrival at Balmoral. And Meghan and Harry, already in the UK, are travelling separately and are coordinating with family members.

  

  

• Prime Minister, Liz Truss, said in Parliament: “The whole country will be deeply concerned.” The Archbishop of Canterbury said his “prayers and the prayers of the people across the Church of England and the nation” were with the Queen.
• She pulled out of an online meeting of the Privy Council on Wednesday after being advised by doctors to rest.
• The 96-year-old has ongoing “episodic mobility problems” and has been using a walking stick.
• She missed the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years in May. Charles read her speech instead.
• She was forced to miss some celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee in June, after experiencing discomfort.
• Buckingham Palace scaled back her “official duties” and had rewritten her duties.