Cyberbullying - Greater Belize Media

Budna Jailed Again Amid Cyberbullying Claims

A controversial figure is back behind bars tonight. Self-proclaimed journalist Joseph Ryan Budna is spending the night at the Belize Central Prison after allegedly violating bail conditions tied to a previous charge. This latest development follows fresh accusations of cyberbullying, targeting both a male and female complainant. The female victim claims Budna used a Facebook livestream to spread damaging and humiliating misinformation, including salacious claims involving political figures. Budna has pleaded not guilty, but the court denied him bail. He’s expected to reappear on June tenth. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith has more on the arrest.

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“On Friday thirtieth, May 2025. Police formerly arrested and charge Joseph Bunda of Trial Farm Village for two counts of using a computer system to publish computer data to cause a person substantial emotional distress, and one count of using a computer system to disseminate a false information, a false statement with the intent to cause another person to be the subject of public ridicule. This arrest and charge was as a consequence of a report made by a female in relation to several postings of Mr. Budna”

Ryan Budna Arrested for Cyberbullying

Ryan Budna, known for his outspoken presence on Facebook, has been arrested and formally charged with cyberbullying. According to police, the arrest follows a report from a woman who claims Budna made public online statements about her with the intent to cause emotional distress. Shortly after that report, another individual came forward, accusing Budna of spreading misinformation online, allegedly with the intent to subject someone else to public ridicule. Budna, for his part, says he’s no stranger to filing reports himself. He claims he has made several complaints to the police about others, which, he says, have not been acted upon. We reached out to Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith for more details on the case. While police continue their investigation, the incident has initiated a wider conversation about the boundaries of online speech and the responsibilities that come with a public platform.

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

Call Center Agent Fined for Cyberbullying Over Facebook Post

A call center sales agent found herself in hot water after a Facebook post landed her in court under Belize’s Cyber Crime Act. The woman, who used the alias “Erika Martinez” online, pleaded guilty to using a computer system to spread a false statement meant to shame and embarrass another person. The post, which accused a forty-one-year-old bank employee of inappropriate behavior toward a fifteen-year-old girl, was traced back to the agent—identified in court as Twist. The man, who is out on bail for a separate charge of common assault involving the same minor, reported the post to police, saying it damaged his reputation and caused him public embarrassment. In court, Twist was emotional and remorseful. She told Magistrate Black that she acted out of anger after learning about the alleged incident involving her relative. She admitted she didn’t know the post was illegal and said she took it down after just three hours. Magistrate Black handed down a non-custodial sentence, fining Twist four hundred dollars, plus court costs, with a deadline of June thirtieth to pay. If she fails to do so, she faces four months in prison. The magistrate noted her early guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, and genuine remorse as factors in the sentencing.

Belize City Mom Out on Bail for Alleged Cyberbullying of Ex-Co-worker

Tonight, a Belize City mother is out on bail after being accused of cyberbullying a former co-worker. Armida Adela Gonzalez, a 49-year-old self-employed resident of West Street, Belize City, faced charges under the Cybercrime Act for allegedly sending obscene and vulgar computer data to harass Kiara Middleton. Gonzalez appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Ludlow Black, who read her the single charge. She pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor requested bail conditions, including that Gonzalez must stay 100 yards away from Middleton and not interfere with her. Gonzalez explained that they used to work together but no longer do. Bail was set at $500, which Gonzalez met. Her next court date is June 12, 2025.