District of the Virgin Islands
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former St. Croix Resident Indicted on Federal Program Fraud, Money Laundering, and Tax Related ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – A Virgin Islands grand jury, on January 12, 2017, returned a six-count indictment against Celeste P. Bermudez, 41, of Methuen, Massachusetts, charging her with theft of federal program funds, money laundering, and making and subscribing a false income tax return, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Bermudez made her initial appearance on January 15, 2017, and was arraigned on the charges, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller. Judge Miller set bail conditions for Bermudez, who is on release pending trial.
According to the indictment, Bermudez was the finance director of the Virgin Islands Community AIDS Resource & Education, Inc. (VICARE), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting HIV-AIDS education and support services to individuals living with HIV-AIDS. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved approximately $1.3 million in grant funds to VICARE. During the period July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2014, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded VICARE approximately $627,365 in grant funds. Bermudez, is charged with embezzling approximately $293,710 during the period January 2012 through December 2013. The indictment also charges Bermudez with engaging in monetary transactions in financial institutions with the embezzled funds, as well as making and subscribing a false 2011 income tax return.
If convicted, Bermudez faces maximum sentences of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the federal program fraud and money laundering counts, and not more than three years in prison or a $5,000 fine for the tax count.
The case was investigated by HUD Office of Inspector General, HHS Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kim L. Chisholm and Meredith Edwards.
United States Attorney Sharpe emphasized that an indictment is a merely a formal charging document and not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
St. Thomas Man Sentenced to 17 Months in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced Eugene Monsanto, Jr., 41, to 17 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Judge Gomez also ordered Monsanto to pay a $100 special assessment and complete 300 hours of community service.
On October 5, 2016, Monsanto pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the plea agreement, on Monday, May 30, 2016, Monsanto, who was aboard M/V Sundance Queen, a ferry traveling from the British Virgin Islands to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, presented himself for inspection at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands Port of Entry. A CBP officer conducted a routine inspection and found a fully loaded .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver inside of Monsanto’s carry-on.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim L. Chisholm.
St. Croix Man Sentenced to Probation for Unlawful Mailing of FirearmRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – District Court Judge Raymond L. Finch, on February 7, 2017, sentenced Waleed Lang, 33, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, to five years of probation for unlawful mailing of a firearm, United States Attorney Ronald W. announced. Judge Finch also ordered Lang to pay a fine of $500 along with a special assessment of $100.
On or about February 15, 2014, Lang knowingly mailed a U.S. priority mail parcel from Florida to St. Croix. The parcel contained a Titan Tier .38 caliber revolver.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
Puerto Rico Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Substance with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – District Court Judge Raymond L. Finch, on February 7, 2017, sentenced Carmelo Cruz-Velez, 52, of Puerto Rico, to 46 months in prison for conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Judge Finch also sentenced Cruz-Velez to five years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a fine of $2,000 along with a special assessment of $100.
Before October 21, 2014, Cruz-Velez and his co-conspirators agreed to import cocaine into St. Croix and deliver it to others. On October 21, 2014, his co-conspirators retrieved a mid-sea shipment of 71 kilograms of cocaine and brought it to St. Croix. Afterward, Cruz-Velez, knowing of the plan, took possession of the cocaine and delivered it to another individual for transshipment to Puerto Rico.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
Two Virgin Islands Women Indicted on Tax Related ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – A Virgin Islands grand jury, on January 12, 2017, returned a 12- count indictment against two Virgin Islands women charging them with conspiracy to defraud the United States, theft of government property and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. The women were identified in the indictment as Phiona A. Henry, 32, and Patricia Henry, 48. Patricia made her initial appearance on January 20, 2017, before Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon in St. Croix. Phiona made her appearance on February 1, 2017, before Magistrate Judge Thomas Smith in Orlando, Florida. Patricia was released pending trial, and a detention hearing is scheduled for Phiona tomorrow in Orlando.
The 12-count indictment is the result of years of investigative work by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations conducting a probe into a massive stolen identity refund fraud scheme perpetrated in the Virgin Islands and elsewhere. According to the indictment, the scheme involved the filing of numerous false income tax returns, the use of the identification of others and the designation of illegal refunds to the defendants’ bank accounts. The scheme resulted in the payment of illegal income tax refunds totaling over $100,000, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendants face maximum sentences of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy and theft of government property offenses. Additionally, they face a mandatory sentence of two years’ imprisonment if convicted of aggravated identity theft.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
United States Attorney Sharpe emphasized that an indictment is a merely a formal charging document and not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
St. Thomas Woman Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act RobberyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On February 2, 2017, District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced Samantha Joseph, 25, of St. Thomas, to three years and five months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Judge Gomez also ordered Joseph to perform 400 hours of community service and pay a $100 special assessment.
On September 29, 2016, Joseph pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. According to the plea agreement, Joseph, an employee of Signature Jewelers at the time, conspired with other individuals to rob the store. Joseph agreed to hold the door open so that her co-conspirators could gain entry. On August 19, 2015, Joseph’s co-conspirators entered the store and brandished a weapon to threaten and intimidate store employees. The robbers used duct tape to bind and gag the victims and then fled the store with cash and merchandise.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna A. Vlasova.
Puerto Rico Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Attempted Possession of CocaineRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – District Court Senior Judge Raymond L. Finch, on January 31, 2017, sentenced Jose Luis Pacheco-Montes, 34, of Puerto Rico, to 46 months in prison for attempted possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Judge Finch also sentenced Pacheco-Montes to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a special assessment of $100.
Pacheco-Montes had pleaded guilty to the attempted possession of cocaine on August 17, 2016. Between November 9, 2015, and November 12, 2015, Pacheco-Montes and others made three boat trips from St. Croix in attempt to effect a mid-sea retrieval of cocaine. They intended to bring the drugs to St. Croix and transship them to Puerto Rico. On November 13, 2015, other co-conspirators successfully effected the mid-sea retrieval of the drugs and were apprehended at Knight’s Bay in St. Croix. Law enforcement agents seized 87 kilograms of cocaine at the scene of apprehension.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
Puerto Rico Man Sentenced to 10 Months for Bulk Cash SmugglingRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – District Court Senior Judge Raymond L. Finch, on January 31, 2017, sentenced Ramon Lacen-Santiago, 41, of Puerto Rico, to 10 months in prison for bulk cash smuggling, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Judge Finch ordered Lacen-Santiago to serve half of his sentence in prison and half in home confinement. He also sentenced Lacen-Santiago to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $2,000 fine and a special assessment of $100.
On March 25, 2012, agents of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force received information that a co-defendant of Lacen-Santiago would be travelling with large sums of money through St. Croix Airport. During a security check of Lacen-Santiago and his co-defendant, a canine alerted on two bags belonging to them. The bag belonging to Lacen-Santiago contained $6,249. A search of his person revealed another $39,000 in his pockets. Lacen-Santiago told the agents he was travelling to St. Martin with the co-defendant. A search of his co-defendant uncovered $38,270 concealed on his person.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
Federal Jury Convicts St. Thomas Woman of Participating in a Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On February 1, 2017, Kanya Tirado, 38, of St. Thomas, was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of cocaine conspiracy and two counts of possession of cocaine.
Tirado faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of incarceration, a maximum fine of $10,000,000, and a special assessment of $100. Judge Curtis Gomez remanded Tirado into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending her sentencing on June 6, 2017.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Tirado was a member of drug organizations led by Nilda Morton. Morton supplied cocaine to Vanier Murraine utilizing Delta Airlines employees Taheeda George and Roniqua Hart, who used their security clearances at the Cyril E. King Airport to smuggle Morton’s cocaine to Tirado, Dellana Magner, Kinia Blyden, and Jerrisha Rawlins, after completing their pre-boarding security clearance, but before boarding their commercial flights to the U.S. mainland.
On three occasions between December 2015 and February 2016, Tirado smuggled more than five kilograms of Morton’s cocaine to the U.S. mainland after receiving it from Hart and Taheeda George in the bathrooms at the Cyril E. King airport. Security surveillance at the airport captured the activities of the defendants as they entered the public restroom located in the Spirit Airlines lounge where Hart and George removed vacuum-sealed packages of cocaine from their bodies and placed them in the couriers’ carry-on bags before boarding their flights. After the cocaine was sold stateside, Nilda Morton arranged for her brother Rasheem Morton, Tirado, Dellana Magner, Te’Nae George, Kinia Blyden, Jerrisha Rawlins, Roniqua Hart and Monique David to transport the cash proceeds back to St. Thomas where she took possession of the money. The investigation culminated on July 1, 2016, with the arrest of Dellana Magner after she smuggled 3 kilograms of cocaine onboard an American Airlines flight destined for Miami.
Twelve members of Morton’s drug trafficking organization pleaded guilty to drug related charges. Vanier Murraine, 34, a native of St. Thomas and resident of Detroit; Christopher Butler, 30, and Drue Williams, III, 35, of Twinsburgh, Ohio; Nilda Morton, 32, Taheeda George, 37, Roniqua Hart, 24, Dellana Magner, 23, Kinia Blyden, 23, and Jerrisha Rawlins, 23, of St. Thomas, all pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Rasheem Morton, 36, Monique David, 40, and Te’Nae George, 23, of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy. All defendants were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing on June 1, 2017.
This case is the result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Pittsburgh, New York, Cleveland, Detroit, and St. Thomas. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Delia L. Smith.
Man Arrested for Possession of Firearm with Obliterated Serial NumberRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI- Jashawn Bailey, 30, was arrested Friday on a criminal complaint charging him with one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced today. Bailey made his initial appearance on the same day before United States Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller. He was released pending a preliminary hearing set for Wednesday.
According to the complaint, on December 14, 2016, the Virgin Islands Police discovered a .45 caliber Taurus firearm with an obliterated serial number wrapped in a T-shirt and hat at a crime scene. Subsequently, Bailey, who was at the scene, admitted that the firearm belonged to him. If convicted, Bailey faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Sharpe reminds the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
Eleven Defendants Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On January 26, 2017, five defendants pleaded guilty before District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez to drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Dellana Magner, 23, and Kinia Blyden, 23, both of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Rasheem Morton, 36, of St. Thomas; Monique David, 40, of St. Thomas, and Te’Nae George, 23, of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy.
The following individuals also pleaded guilty to cocaine possession on January 23, 2017, before Judge Gomez: Nilda Morton, 32, of St. Thomas; Vanier Murraine, 34, a native of St. Thomas and resident of Detroit; Christopher Butler, 30, and Drue Williams, III, 35, of Twinsburgh, Ohio; and Taheeda George, 37, and Roniqua Hart, 24, of St. Thomas. All defendants were remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals pending sentencing on June 1, 2017.
According to the plea agreements filed with the court, from October 2015 through July 2016, Nilda Morton, the leader of the drug trafficking organization, supplied cocaine to Vanier Murraine utilizing Delta Airlines employees Taheeda George and Roniqua Hart. The Delta employees then used their security clearances at the Cyril E. King Airport to smuggle cocaine to Dellana Magner, Kanya Tirado, Kinia Blyden, and Jerrisha Rawlins after they had completed their pre-boarding security clearances, but before they boarded their commercial flights to the U.S. mainland.
On three occasions between June and July 2016, airport security surveillance footage captured the defendants in the public restroom removing vacuum-sealed packages of cocaine from their bodies and placing them in the couriers’ carry-on bags before they boarded their flights. After the cocaine was sold stateside, Nilda Morton arranged for her brother, Rasheem Morton, Dellana Magner, Te’Nae George, Kinia Blyden, Jerrisha Rawlins, Roniqua Hart and Monique David to transport the cash proceeds back to St. Thomas, where she took possession of the money. The investigation culminated on July 1, 2016, with the arrest of Dellana Magner after she smuggled three kilograms of cocaine onboard an American Airlines flight destined for Miami.
This case is the result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations in Pittsburgh, New York, Cleveland, Detroit, and St. Thomas. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Delia L. Smith.
St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Shawn McIntosh, 24, pleaded guilty today in federal court on St. Croix before United States Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon to being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, police officers encountered McIntosh on July 9, 2016, while searching for another individual at the Hidden Island Bar in St. Croix. Upon observing the police, McIntosh ran and was observing tossing an object, later determined to be a firearm. McIntosh was previously convicted of burglary third degree in 2012 in the Virgin Islands Superior Court.
McIntosh faces a maximum of 10 years of incarceration and a maximum fine of $250,000. A sentencing date has been set for May 24, 2017.
The case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
St. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening A Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Thomas Bitter, 36, pleaded guilty today in District Court on St. Thomas before visiting District Court Judge Juan R. Sanchez to one count of threatening a federal officer, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
According to the plea agreement, between May and June of 2016, Bitter sent threatening e-mails to a Judicial Security Inspector at the District Court of the Virgin Islands after the Inspector admonished Bitter for sending numerous threatening e-mails to a federal judge in the Central District of California.
Under federal law, Bitter faces a maximum sentence of six years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for March 9, 2017.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter.
St. Thomas Man Sentenced to One Month in Prison for Possession of a Firearm in a School ZoneRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced Logan Cobell, 27, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, to one month’s imprisonment followed by one year of supervised release for possession of a firearm in a school zone, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Judge Gomez also ordered Cobell to two months’ home confinement while on supervised release. He must pay a $1,000 fine and a $25 special assessment and complete 400 hours of community service.
On September 14, 2016, Cobell pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in a school zone. According to the plea agreement, on March 20, 2016, the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) was dispatched to Fatty’s bar in Red Hook regarding a patron in possession of a firearm. Upon arrival, a security officer turned over to the VIPD a Taurus firearm that had been taken from Cobell. Cobell is not licensed in the U.S. Virgin Islands to possess a firearm, and his possession was within a 1000 feet of the Eudora Kean High School.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the VIPD. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigrid Tejo-Sprotte.
Two Men Sentenced for Drug Conspiracy and Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On January 11, 2017, District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced Alexandro Geraldino-Aracena, 39, of the Dominican Republic, to 202 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, followed by five years of supervised release, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Geraldino-Aracena was also sentenced to a consecutive 60-month term for possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. Co-defendant Ricardo Cardona, 35, of Puerto Rico, was sentenced to 214 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, followed by five years of supervised release. Cardona was also sentenced to a consecutive 60-month term for possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. Judge Gomez also ordered Geraldino-Aracena and Cardona to each pay a $400 special assessment and perform 300 hours of community service.
According to evidence presented at trial, on the morning of September 3, 2015, Gerandino-Aracena and Cardona traveled in a private vessel equipped with a hidden compartment from Fajardo, Puerto Rico, to St. Thomas to purchase 150 kilograms of cocaine. They docked their vessel at the University of the Virgin Islands Marine Center Dock where they met other members of the drug trafficking organization to collect the cocaine in exchange for $250,000 and three assault rifles. Earlier that day in Puerto Rico, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents seized $1.4 million dollars in cash, which was partial payment for the cocaine.
This case was investigated by the DEA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte and Delia Smith.
Dominican Republic Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Possession of Cocaine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced Estanislao De Jesus, 47, of the Dominican Republic, to 41 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Judge Gomez also ordered De Jesus to pay a $100 special assessment and perform 300 hours of community service.
On September 1, 2016, De Jesus pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. According to the plea agreement, on May 7, 2016, agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested De Jesus and co-defendant Tomas Liriano-Castillo at Hull Bay, St. Thomas. At the time of his arrest, De Jesus had been awaiting Liriano-Castillo’s arrival by boat from Tortola with six kilograms of cocaine. De Jesus admitted that he knew Liriano-Castillo had gone to Tortola to bring back cocaine to sell in St. Thomas. Liriano-Castillo’s sentencing is set for February 2, 2017.
The case was investigated by the DEA and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigrid Tejo-Sprotte.
St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Today Antonio Sanes Carmona, 45, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge George Cannon, Jr., to possession of child pornography, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. His sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2017.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on August 17, 2016, Sanes Carmona was part of a peer-to-peer network on the Internet where he used his desktop computer to possess 51 images of child pornography. The images showed minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct with adults and other minors.
Sanes Carmona faces a term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years and a fine of not more than $250,000. He has been detained since August 19, 2016.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry.
Three U.S. Virgin Islands Residents Sentenced in Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On December 19, 2016, District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced three defendants for a money laundering conspiracy that operated from Los Angeles, California to St. Thomas, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Demincia Dore, 31, of St. Thomas, was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, 300 hours of community service, and a $100 special assessment. Kishma Weeks, 27, of St. Croix, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, 300 hours of community service, and a $100 special assessment. Tamisha McBean, 32, of St. Thomas, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, 300 hours of community service, and a $100 special assessment. All three defendants were also ordered to forfeit to the United States $351,000, payable jointly and severally, which represents the proceeds from the sale of the marijuana in this case.
On June 30, 2016, Dore pleaded guilty in federal court to Count 27 of the Superseding Indictment which charged money laundering conspiracy. Weeks and McBean pleaded guilty to that count on July 6, 2016. According to the plea agreements filed with the court, between July 2012 and December 2013, Dore, Weeks and McBean were members of a drug trafficking organization that shipped barrels containing at least 700 kilograms but less than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana concealed in Chow Mein cans from Los Angeles to St. Thomas utilizing a trucking company. Dore, Weeks, and McBean deposited, or caused to be deposited, over $100,000, which represented proceeds from the marijuana sales, into their bank accounts in St. Thomas, and then wired, or caused the marijuana proceeds to be electronically wired, to other members of the conspiracy on the mainland United States.
Clarence Griffin, Robert Brown and Trevor Dolphin, who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy, were sentenced on March 5, 2015 and October 6, 2016. Felix, who pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy, was sentenced on October 6, 2016, and Larry Thompson, who pleaded guilty to misprision of felony, was sentenced on August 25, 2016.
This case is the result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Delia L. Smith.
Free Night at the Movies for Individuals with Disabilities, Especially the HearingRead the Press Release
BACKGOUND: The purpose of this event is to celebrate and promote the remediation work done by Caribbean Cinemas of the V.I., Inc. to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). By working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to eliminate access barriers for individuals with disabilities, the theatres are now more accessible for the entire Virgin Islands community. Caribbean Cinemas has implemented these improvements under the ADA:
(1) increasing the amount of accessible seating;
(2) making restrooms accessible;
(3) providing assisted-listening systems for the hearing impaired; and
(4) providing closed-caption systems for the hearing impaired.
On August 6, 2010, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands initiated an investigation under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, and the Department of Justice’s implementing regulations regarding the accessibility of Caribbean Cinemas’ St. Thomas location. As a result of this investigation, Caribbean Cinemas agreed to remedy potential violations of the ADA. In November 2015, a site visit confirmed that Caribbean Cinemas’ renovations complied with the ADA, and in December 2015 its assisted-listening and closed-caption systems were tested.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands, the Deaf Advocates Society, the Virgin Islands Association for Independent Living, and Caribbean Cinemas, invite persons with disabilities, especially hearing-impaired individuals, to attend a free showing where they will have the opportunity to use accessible devices and enjoy the full movie-going experience with other members of the community. This event is fully sponsored by Caribbean Cinemas, whose cooperation was instrumental in bringing this matter to a just resolution.
ATF Agents Arrest St. Thomas Man for Possessing Crack with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Tolomah Foy, 23, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, made his initial appearance on December 12, 2016, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller after being charged with possession with intent to distribute approximately 29 grams of crack cocaine, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Miller released Foy on a $10,000 unsecured bond and set Foy’s preliminary hearing for December 14, 2016.
According to the complaint, on December 10, 2016, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) arrested the defendant in the Red Hook area of St. Thomas after agents made several purchases of crack cocaine from the defendant.
Under federal law if convicted of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, Foy faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000,000. This case is being investigated by the ATF. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard Potter.
United States Attorney Sharpe reminds the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Atlanta Women Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Marijuana with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced on December 8, 2016, Noelle Bishopel, 27, and Sierra Wimberly, 26, both of Atlanta, Georgia, for possessing with intent to distribute marijuana, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Judge Gomez sentenced Wimberly to two months’ incarceration, two years of supervised release, 300 hours of community service and a $100 special assessment. Judge Gomez sentenced Bishopel to four months’ incarceration, two years of supervised release, 300 hours of community service and a special assessment of $100.
According to court records, on April 6, 2016, at the Cyril E. King Airport, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers detected narcotics in checked bags belonging to Wimberly and Bishopel, who had arrived on a Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta. They were both taken to secondary inspection where their checked bags were further examined. CBP officers seized approximately 4.9 kilograms of marijuana from Wimberly’s bag, and 9.45 kilograms of marijuana from Bishopel’s bag.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard Potter.
Governor’s Security Officer Pleads Guilty to Smuggling More Than 21 Kilograms of Cocaine Through St. Thomas AirportRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On Thursday, December 1, 2016, Neal A. Chesterfield, 39, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, pleaded guilty before District Judge Curtis V. Gomez to possession with intent to distribute approximately 21½ kilograms of cocaine, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. His sentencing is scheduled for April 6, 2017.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on September 3, 2016, Chesterfield a Security Officer for Governor Kenneth Mapp, used his law enforcement credentials to bypass Transportation Security Administration screening and was about to board Spirit Airlines flight 212 destined for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, when he was approached by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. When first questioned by CBP, Chesterfield claimed possession of a small black carry-on bag but later denied ownership after a CBP K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the bag. At secondary screening, CBP officers inspected the carry-on and discovered 18 plastic-wrapped packages, the contents of which tested positive for 21.44 kilograms of cocaine. CBP officers also discovered $26,025 in U.S. currency inside of a small computer bag also in Chesterfield’s possession.
Chesterfield faces a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and not more than life in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000,000. He was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Delia Smith
Georgia Man Sentenced to Months in Prison for Attempting to Smuggle 8.5 Kilograms of Marijuana to the Virgin IslandsRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced Bert Donadelle, Jr., 26, of Georgia, to three months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Judge Gomez also ordered Donadelle to perform 300 hours of community service and pay a $100 special assessment.
On June 15, 2016, Donadelle pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 8.5 kilograms of marijuana. According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on April 3, 2016, at the Cyril E. King Airport, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) K-9 detected narcotics in a checked bag belonging to Donadelle, who had arrived on a Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta. CBP officers examined the contents of the bag, resealed it, and placed it on the carousel for retrieval. Donadelle retrieved the bag, and a second checked bag bearing his name, from the baggage claim area. CBP officers seized and field-tested a total of approximately 8.5 kilograms or more of marijuana from Donadelle’s bags.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kim L. Chisholm.
St. Thomas Man Sentenced to 30Months in Prison for Possession of Firearmby Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced Anthony Williams, Sr., 48, to 30 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Judge Gomez ordered Williams to pay a $100 special assessment and to perform 300 hours of community service.
On June 23, 2016, Williams pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on September 16, 2015, Williams was found in possession of a 9mm caliber Taurus pistol while he was on the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas campus grounds.Williams was previously convicted in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a stolen firearm.
This case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith Edwards.
St. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty to Being an Unlawful Drug User in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Teshawn Nisbett, 22, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, pleaded guilty on November 30, 2016, in federal court to possession of a firearm by an unlawful drug user,United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Sentencing is scheduled for April 6, 2017.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on August 4, 2016, special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recovered a Glock pistol from Nisbett, who was a daily user of marijuana, and had been such an unlawful drug user for the past five years.
The case was investigated by the ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Edwards.
Two St. Thomas Men Arrested for Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking CrimesRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Acio Richards, 26, and N’kel Morton, 22, both of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, made their initial appearance in court on November 17, 2016, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller on separate criminal complaints charging each with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
After a detention hearing in front of Judge Miller on Friday, November 18, 2016, Morton was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending further proceedings, while Richards was released to a third-party custodian on a $10,000 unsecured bond, and was placed on home detention with electronic monitoring.
According to the complaints, on November 16, 2016, both Richards and Morton separately traded cocaine in exchange for a firearm with an undercover special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.
This case is being investigated by the ATF. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith Edwards.
United States Attorney Sharpe reminds the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Three Individuals Indicted on Hobbs Act Robbery and Related Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On November 17, 2016, a federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment against Aracelis N. Ayala aka Gordita aka Fluff, 34, Turrel Thomas, 21, and Raheem Miller aka Caesar, 24, charging them with two Hobbs Act robberies, conspiracy, related gun charges, and territorial offenses, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
On November 18, 2016, Ayala and Thomas made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cannon on St. Croix, Virgin Islands, and Miller made his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The 10-count indictment is the result of an investigation into Hobbs Act robberies of two jewelry stores on St. Thomas: Signature Jewelers on August 19, 2015, and 3G’s Jewelry and Repair on September 14, 2015. According to the Indictment, these individuals conspired to rob the stores and brandished weapons to threaten and intimidate store employees. The robbers used duct tape to bind and gag the victims and then fled the store with cash and merchandise.
If convicted, these individuals face up to 20 years on each of the Hobbs Act robbery and local robbery charges; mandatory 7- and 25-year consecutive sentences for each brandishing of a firearm charge; and a mandatory minimum of 15 years on each of the territorial firearms charge.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Scarpelli, Criminal Chief Christian A. Fisanick, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna A. Vlasova.
United States Attorney Sharpe reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Puerto Rico Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in FirearmsRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On Friday, November 18, 2016, Raji Yusuf, 30, of Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty in District Court to trafficking in firearms, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Sentencing is set for March 23, 2017.
According to the plea agreement, between October 15, 2015, and February 10, 2016, Yusuf facilitated the sale of an AK-47 assault rifle to an individual in St. Thomas. Yusuf is not a federally licensed firearms dealer and is not licensed under Virgin Islands law to possess any firearms.
Yusuf faces up to five years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
This case was a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid Tejo-Sprotte.
Jury Convicts St. Croix Man on Attempted Murder ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI B On November 15, 2016, after a five-day trial, a federal jury on St. Croix convicted Daniel Carino, 34, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, of possession of a firearm during a violent crime, attempted murder and assault third degree, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced today.
Evidence presented at trial established that on December 19, 2015, Carino encountered the victim at the Concordia garbage bin site in Frederiksted, St. Croix. An argument ensued during which Carino drew a firearm and shot the victim in the chest. Though shot, the victim wrestled the firearm away from Carino who then ran into his vehicle and drove away. Later that evening, the victim selected Carino from a photo array while at the emergency room. Police apprehended Carino at a festival event that night.
Carino faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years on the firearm possession charge and a maximum of life imprisonment, plus a maximum fine of $250,000. He also faces maximum sentences of 25 years and 5 years on the attempted murder and assault conviction, along with a fine of $500 to $3,000 on the assault conviction. A sentencing date has been set for March 16, 2016. Carino remains detained pending sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
St. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in FirearmsRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, Mohammed Jubran, 27, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, pleaded guilty in District Court to trafficking in firearms, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Sentencing is set for March 9, 2017.
According to the plea agreement, on October 15, 2015, Jubran sold an AK-47 to an individual. After the sale, Jubran offered to sell more firearms to the individual in the future. Jubran is not a federally licensed firearms dealer and is not licensed under Virgin Islands law to possess any firearms.
This case was a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid Tejo-Sprotte.
U.S. Attorney Issues Press Release on Upcoming ElectionsRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI - United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced today that Assistant United States Attorney Alphonso Andrews will lead the efforts of his office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2016 general elections. AUSA Andrews has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer for the Virgin Islands, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
"Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud,” U.S. Attorney Sharpe said. “The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 8, 2016, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, U.S. Attorney Sharpe stated that AUSA Andrews will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached at the following telephone number: 340-344-0503. In addition, the FBI will have special agents available to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The FBI can be reached at 340-777-3363.Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to [email protected] or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
United States Attorney Sharpe said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”
Two St. Thomas Men Arrested for Possession with Intent to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI- Reinaldo Morone, 44, and Walid John, 37, both of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, made their initial appearance in court on October 21, 2016, before District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez on a criminal complaint charging them with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe. The defendants were released on $10,000 unsecured bonds and to third-party custodians, and were placed on electronic monitoring pending further proceedings, after a detention hearing today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller.
According to the complaint, on October 20, 2016, the men attempted to sell to an individual approximately four kilograms of a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine. Possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine carries a sentence of not less than five years in prison and up to a maximum of 40 years.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
United States Attorney Sharpe reminds the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
St. Thomas Man Arrested for Possession with Intent to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI- Rhasheel Charles, 30, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, made his initial appearance in District Court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller after being charged in a criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced today. Charles was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending preliminary and detention hearings on October 25, 2016, at 1:30 p.m.
According to the complaint, on October 23, 2016, Charles attempted to carry 3.55 kilograms of cocaine on board an American Airlines flight destined for Miami, Florida, when a Customs and Border Protection canine alerted on the bag Charles was carrying. Possession with the intent to distribute that quantity of cocaine carries a sentence of not less than five years in prison and up to a maximum of 40 years.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
United States Attorney Sharpe reminds the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
St. Croix Man Charged in Firearm Possession CaseRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Karim Woodley, 39, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon after being charged in a three-count information with possession of a firearm by felon, possession of a firearm near a school and unauthorized firearm possession, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Judge Cannon ordered the defendant on release pending trial. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine on the felon in possession and possession near school counts. He also faces a ten year sentence on the unauthorized possession charge and a $15,000.00 fine.
According to court records, the charges stem from a Gang initiative conducted by the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Department of Homeland Security (HSI) last December. Agents searched Woodley and discovered an unlicensed firearm on his person.
The case was investigated by the VIPD and HSI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr. United States Attorney Sharpe emphasized that an information is merely a formal charging document and not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Three Defendants Sentenced for Marijuana Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – On October 6, 2016, District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced three defendants on their convictions for conspiracy to distribute marijuana from Los Angeles, CA, to St. Thomas, VI, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Clarence Griffin, 44, of Los Angeles, was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment, five years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Robert Brown, 29, of St. Croix, was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment, five years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Jamila Felix, 29, of St. Thomas, was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. All three defendants were ordered to forfeit $351,000 to the United States, jointly and severally, which represents the proceeds from the sale of the marijuana.
On May 16, 2016, Griffin, Brown and Felix pleaded guilty in federal court to count one of the indictment which charged conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute up to 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. According to the plea agreements filed with the court, between July 2012 and December 2013, Griffin and Brown shipped barrels containing at least 700 kilograms but less than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana concealed in "Chow Mein" cans from Los Angeles to St. Thomas utilizing a trucking service. Felix later deposited the proceeds from the marijuana sales into her bank accounts in St. Thomas, and subsequently wired the proceeds electronically to Griffin and other members of the conspiracy in the mainland United States.
This case is the result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Delia L. Smith.
Michigan Woman Sentenced to Six Months for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI - District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez on Thursday sentenced Deangelia D. Quintana, 30, of Flint, Michigan, to six months in prison for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Judge Gomez also sentenced Quintana to three years of supervised release, and ordered her to pay a special assessment of $100 and perform 200 hours of community service.
On June 6, 2016, Quintana pleaded guilty to possession of 19.5 kilograms of marijuana with intent to distribute. According to court records, on Wednesday March 2, 2016, Quintana arrived at the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas from Atlanta, Georgia, on a Delta flight. Based on information received, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers made contact with Quintana as she approached the carousel in the baggage claim area and removed two bags. Quintana was taken to secondary inspection where CBP officers searched her bags and discovered a large bundle of plastic in each bag. CBP discovered approximately 19.5 kilograms of marijuana in the plastic. Quintana admitted that the bags were hers.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter.
Jury Convicts St. Croix Man of Wire Fraud, Theft of Government Money and Making False StatementRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – After a five-day trial, on September 30, 2016, a federal jury on St. Croix convicted Lt. Col. Kenneth Alleyne, of wire fraud, theft of government money, and making a false statement to the government, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
Alleyne faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each of the 42 wire fraud counts; 10 years in prison for the theft of government money count; and five years in prison for the false statement count. District Court Chief Judge Wilma A. Lewis permitted Alleyne to remain on release pending sentencing. No sentencing date has been set.
Evidence presented at trial established that from on or about May 1, 2010, to on or about February 28, 2012, on St. Croix, Alleyne, knowingly devised a scheme to unlawfully use his Overseas Housing Allowance to obtain government money, by means of wire, that he was not entitled to receive.
“No one, regardless of rank, is above the law,” United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe said. “Lt. Col. Alleyne now faces a federal prison sentence, discharge from the military, and a loss of benefits. This should serve as a deterrent to others who might be tempted to game the system for their own benefit.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Army CID - Major Procurement Fraud Unit. “Today’s outcome is a true testament to holding those accountable, regardless of rank or position, to the highest standard expected of all of our soldiers and civilians,” Frank Robey, director of the Major Procurement Fraud Unit, said. “We will continue our steadfast commitment to weeding out those who attempt to defraud the Army.”
The case was prosecuted by Christian A. Fisanick, Assistant U.S. Attorney and Criminal Division Chief, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna A. Vlasova.
Jury Convicts Dominican Republic Man of Drug Charges and Illegal EntryRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – After a one-day trial, on October 4, 2016, a federal jury on St. Thomas convicted Tomas Liriano Castillo, 44, of Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver and Illegal Entry, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
Castillo faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison on the conspiracy and possession with intent charges, and six months in prison for the illegal entry charge. District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez remanded Castillo to the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing on February 2, 2017.
Evidence presented at trial established that on or about May 9, 2016, Castillo traveled by boat from Tortola to Hull Bay, St. Thomas. The evidence at trial also showed that Castillo got off the boat with a back pack that he tried to discard when he saw agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration approaching him. Testimony at trial further established that when the back pack was recovered, it contained approximately 5.8 kilograms of cocaine, and that Castillo is not in the Virgin Islands lawfully.
The case was investigated by the DEA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sigrid Tejo-Sprotte and Everard Potter.
10 Virgin Islands Women Indicted on Tax-Related ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – The last of 10 Virgin Islands women indicted by a federal grand jury on tax-related charges made her initial appearance Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon on St. Croix, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. The remaining nine women made their initial appearances last week, and all of them were released pending trial.
On September 15, 2016, a federal grand jury returned a 119-count indictment against the women, charging them with Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, Theft of Government Property and Aggravated Identity Theft. The women were identified in the indictment as Joanne V. Benjamin, 36; Sylvia P. Benjamin, 36; Lynell Hughes, 33; Thema Liverpool, 28; Jacinta A. Gussie, 54; Indica Greenidge, 25; Nisha Brathwaite, 35; Darleen Thompson, 34; Nicolette Alexander, 25; and Sheba Rashida Young, 40.
Seven of the women: Sylvia Benjamin, Brathwaite, Gussie, Hughes, Liverpool, Young and Joanne Benjamin made their initial appearances before Judge Cannon on St. Croix. Greenidge and Alexander made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hunt in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and Thompson made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory J. Kelly in Orlando, Florida.
The 119-count indictment is the result of years of investigative work by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, which conducted a probe into a massive stolen identity/tax refund fraud scheme, United States Attorney Sharpe said. According to the indictment, the scheme involved the filing of numerous false income tax returns, the use of stolen identifications and the designation of illegal refunds to the women’s bank accounts. The scheme resulted in the payment of illegal income tax refunds totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the women face maximum sentences of 10 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine for the Conspiracy and Theft of Government Property offenses. Additionally, they face a mandatory sentence of two years’ imprisonment if convicted of Aggravated Identity Theft.United States Attorney Sharpe reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Cocaine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Daniel Santiago-Colon, 46, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, pleaded guilty on September 19, 2016, in federal court on St. Croix to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
On November 13, 2015, Santiago-Colon and other co-defendants, who were on a boat, retrieved a load of cocaine mid-sea from another boat. They transported the drugs to St. Croix and offloaded them at a beach called Knight’s Bay. Law enforcement tracked the boat to St. Croix and apprehended three co-defendants on the beach in close proximity to suitcases, containing 87 kilograms of cocaine. Two of the three co-defendants, Gamalier Rohlsen-Arizmendi and Alejandro Marva-Romero have entered guilty pleas. The third co-defendant is awaiting a trial scheduled for October 31, 2016.
Santiago-Colon faces up to life imprisonment for the offense and a fine of up to $10,000,000. A sentencing date has been set for January 18, 2017.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
St. Croix Correction Officer Pleads Guilty to Providing Contraband in Prison and Conflict of Interest ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Abdul Robinson, 39, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, pleaded guilty today in federal court on St. Croix to providing contraband in prison and conflict of interest charges, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
On April 5, 2013, Robinson, then a correction officer at the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility, received a cellular telephone along with $100 from an undercover agent and agreed to deliver the telephone to an inmate housed at the facility. He delivered the telephone to the inmate who, unbeknownst to Robinson, was working as a government informant. It was contrary to Robinson’s duty to allow an inmate to possess contraband such as a cellular telephone or to deliver contraband to inmates.
Robinson faces up to one year of imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000 for the offense of providing contraband in prison. He also faces a mandatory minimum period of imprisonment of one year up to a maximum of five years plus a fine of up to $5,000 for the conflict of interest offense. A sentencing date has been set for January 19, 2017.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
St. Croix Correction Officer Pleads Guilty to Attempted Possession of a Controlled SubstanceRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Kalomi Kambui, 40, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, pleaded guilty today in federal court on St. Croix to attempted possession of a controlled substance, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
On June 12, 2013, Kambui, then a correction officer at the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility, received what she believed to be ecstasy pills from an undercover agent, along with payment, for the purpose of delivering it to an inmate housed at the facility. Ecstasy is a street name for the controlled substance methamphetamine. The substance was not ecstasy, however, and Kambui did not make the delivery but was arrested.
Kambui faces up to five years’ imprisonment for the offense and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing date has been set for January 19, 2017.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
St. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Firearm in a School ZoneRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Logan Cobell, 27, of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty on September 14, 2016, in federal court to possession of a firearm in a school zone, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Sentencing is scheduled for January 17, 2017.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on March 20, 2016, the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) was dispatched to Fatty’s bar in Red Hook regarding a patron in possession of a firearm. Upon arrival, contact was made with the security officer who turned over to the VIPD a Taurus firearm that had been taken from Cobell. Cobell is not licensed in the District of the Virgin Islands to possess a firearm and his possession was within a 1000 feet of the Eudora Kean High School.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and VIPD. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigrid Tejo-Sprotte.
Puerto Rico Man Sentenced to Three Months in Prison for Alien SmugglingRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced on September 14, 2016, Angel De Jesus Marrero, 31, of the Puerto Rico, to three months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for encouraging and inducing aliens to illegally enter the United States. Judge Gomez also ordered Marrero to pay a $100 special assessment and perform 200 hours of community service.
On May 3, 2016, Marrero pleaded guilty to encouraging and inducing aliens to illegally enter the United States. According to the plea agreement, on December 22, 2015, Marrero was solicited by his co-defendant, Rodriguez Ramirez, to assist in the passage of five illegal Brazilian nationals through the St. Thomas airport by checking them in at the airline ticket kiosk. Afterward, he was to ensure that the illegal aliens made it to the appropriate gate to depart St. Thomas for New York. Federal agents, however, thwarted the plan before anyone boarded the aircraft and apprehended the defendants along with the illegal aliens.
This case was investigated by the Customs and Border Protection Office of Internal Affairs and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
Puerto Rico Man Pleads Guilty to Bulk Cash SmugglingRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Ramon Lacen-Santiago, 41, of Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty on September 14, 2016, in federal court on St. Croix to conspiracy to commit bulk cash smuggling, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
On March 25, 2012, agents of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force received information that an individual associated with Lacen-Santiago would be travelling with a large amount of cash through the St. Croix Airport. During a security check of Lacen-Santiago and his co-defendant, a canine alerted on two of their bags. Lacen-Santiago’s bag contained $6,249. A search of his person revealed another $39,000 in his pockets. Lacen-Santiago told the agents that he was travelling to St. Martin with the co-defendant. A search of his co-defendant uncovered $38,270 concealed on his person. Neither individual reported the cash as required by law. The co-defendant’s trial is pending.
Lacen-Santiago faces up to five years of imprisonment for the offense and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing date has been set for January 13, 2017.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
Venezuelan Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Cocaine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Alejandro Marva-Romero, 32, of Venezuela, pleaded guilty today in federal court on St. Croix to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
On November 13, 2015, Marva-Romero and other co-defendants, who were on a boat, retrieved a load of cocaine mid-sea from another boat. They transported the drugs to St. Croix and offloaded them at a beach called Knight’s Bay. Law enforcement tracked the boat returning to St. Croix and apprehended Marva-Romero and two co-defendants on the beach in close proximity to the suitcases. The suitcases contained 87 kilograms of cocaine.
Marva-Romero faces up to life imprisonment for the offense and a fine of up to $10,000,000. A sentencing date has been set for January 13, 2017.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
Dominican Republic Man Sentenced to 32 months for Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal AlienRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced today Pedro Beltre Guzman, 35, of the Dominican Republic to 32 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Judge Gomez ordered Guzman to pay a $100 special assessment and perform 200 hours of community service.
According to evidence presented at trial, on the morning of September 3, 2015, Guzman and co-defendants Gerandino-Aracena and Cardona, traveled from Fajardo, Puerto Rico, to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands in a private vessel equipped with a hidden compartment that contained three assault rifles. Sentencing hearings for Gerandino-Aracena and Cardona are pending without a date.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte and Delia Smith.
St. Croix Man Sentenced to 24 Months’ Imprisonment for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – On September 2, 2016, District Court Chief Judge Wilma A. Lewis sentenced Miguel Esperanza-Vasquez, 60, to 24 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release for wire fraud, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Chief Judge Lewis ordered Esperanza-Vasquez to pay restitution in the amount of $27,120 and a $100 special assessment fee.
On February 11, 2016, Esperanza-Vasquez pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. As set forth in the plea agreement filed with the Court, Esperanza-Vasquez had no connection with any law enforcement or administrative agency concerned with immigration matters, yet he held himself out to be in a position to materially influence whether an undocumented immigrant could remain in the United States. As part of a scheme to defraud, Esperanza-Vazquez used his purported position to obtain money from the undocumented immigrant that he was not entitled to receive. Specifically, on May 12, 2013, as part of this scheme, Esperanza-Vazquez caused a Western Union money order to be sent by wire in interstate commerce from Houston, Texas, to St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith J. Edwards.
Governor Mapp’s Security Officer Detained Pending Trial for Possession of over 21 Kilos of Cocaine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI -- Neal A. Chesterfield, 37, of St. Thomas, was arrested Saturday and charged with possession of approximately 21½ kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. At his initial appearance and detention hearing today in District Court, U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller remanded Chesterfield to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending trial.
According to the complaint and affidavit filed with the court, on Saturday at the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in Chesterfield’s carry-on luggage while he was waiting in the Spirit Airlines gate area. Chesterfield, who is a security officer for Governor Kenneth Mapp, used his law enforcement credentials to bypass TSA screening, and was about to board Spirit flight 212 to
Fort Lauderdale. Upon inspection of Chesterfield’s luggage, CBP officers discovered 18 plasticwrapped packages, the contents of which tested positive for the presence of cocaine, weighing 21.44 kilograms. CBP officers also discovered $26,025.00 in U.S. Currency inside a small computer bag in Chesterfield’s possession.If convicted, Chesterfield faces a minimum sentence of not less than 10 years in prison, and a fine of up to $10 million.
This case is being investigated by law enforcement officials from CBP, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Delia Smith.
Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Cocaine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Estanislao De Jesus, 47, of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty Thursday in District Court on St. Thomas to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Sentencing is scheduled for January 5, 2017.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on May 7, 2016, agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration arrested De Jesus and Tomas Liriano-Castillo after Liriano-Castillo traveled by boat from Tortola to Hull Bay, St. Thomas, with six kilograms of cocaine. De Jesus admitted that he knew Liriano-Castillo went to Tortola to bring back cocaine to sell in St. Thomas.
De Jesus faces a minimum sentence of not less than five years, and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. He also faces a $5 million fine.
The case was investigated by the DEA and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigrid Tejo-Sprotte.