Former FSU Football Player Faces Caning in Singapore

A former Florida State University football player may become the first American citizen in 16 years to be caned in Singapore after he overstayed his visa, his lawyer said Thursday.

Kamari Charlton, who was a reserve tight end for FSU from 1992 to 1996, was arrested on September 1 when he attempted to leave the city 169 days after his 90-day social visit pass expired.

Charlton was born in the Bahamas and owns a construction company there. He decided to go to Singapore due to his wife’s medical care for pregnancy complications. It was not clear why Charlton and his wife chose Singapore for medical treatment.

Staying in Singapore more than 90 days after the end of a visa is punishable with a maximum jail term of six months and at least three cane strokes.

The attorney general's office declined to comment on the case. A judge is to meet with lawyers from both sides in a pretrial conference today.

If found guilty, Charlton would be the first American citizen caned in Singapore since 1994, when the last person to be arrested was a teenager named Michael Fay. He was punished for vandalism.

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I know many of us forget to check expiration dates on our passport and visa information, but no one would like to be in Charlton’s shoes. It could be something that would hunt you for the rest of your life.

Here is a checklist for visas:

1. Passport (0-6 month validity)
2. Passport photos (1-4)
3. Application
4. Confirmed itinerary (round trip ticket)
5. Consulate fee: Money order made out to the consulate (most are postal money orders). India is made out to Travisa.
6. Business: business letter of financial responsibility

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• Letter of invitation
• Bank statement
• Vaccinations (yellow fever)
• AIDS test
• Jurisdictional visas: Brazil, India – Driver’s license, utility bill, and phone bill.

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