ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Two women — including a 28-year-old evangelist and self-proclaimed "spiritual adviser" to former U.S. presidents — appeared in provincial court in St. John's Monday, charged with posting false information on social media.
Hepzibah Nanna, 28, of Maryland, and 42-year-old Sharyn Richardson of Texas were arrested over the weekend at the St. John's International Airport.
They both asked to speak to the American consulate when they appeared before a judge Monday.
"I think I should at least speak to the American consulate and go back to America where I belong," Nanna told the court.
The women each face nine charges: two counts each of conveying a false bomb threat on Twitter with the intent to alarm the airport, two counts each of resisting or obstructing a police officer, causing a disturbance, and four counts each of publishing defamatory libel by posting information about two local women on Twitter that they knew was false.
Escorted by sheriffs to and from a St. John's courtroom on Monday, Nanna questioned why reporters were taking videos of her, and asked if they were receiving money from Blackwater for the footage.
Blackwater is an American private military company now called Academi.
"I'm sure Blackwater is enjoying your video," Nanna told journalists as she was escorted past them in shackles.
Nanna and Richardson are due back in court Tuesday morning for bail hearings.
