District of the Virgin Islands
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former High School Coach Sentenced to 35 Years on Child Exploitation ConvictionRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Chief Judge Robert A. Molloy sentenced Alfredo Bruce Smith, 53, of St. Thomas, to 35 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Upon release from prison, Smith must register as a sex offender. On September 13, 2023, Smith pleaded guilty to a 20-count indictment charging him with both federal and territorial child sexual exploitation offenses.
“One of our greatest responsibilities is to protect our children, and we will continue to target child predators who sexually abuse them. This case is particularly egregious because Smith used his position of trust to victimize students over a period spanning 15 years. I am grateful to all who worked tirelessly to bring this case to justice for the minor victims who were abused by this defendant” United States Attorney Smith said.
“This case is a reminder of the inherent dangers the children of our community face every day. We must all work together as a community to report individuals committing these crimes. Homeland Security Investigations is steadfast in its commitment to investigate and pursue justice for those who misuse their positions of trust to sexually abuse our children”, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Gonzalez-Ramos said.
According to court documents, Smith was employed as a hall monitor and track and field coach at the Charlotte Amalie High School in St. Thomas from 2006 to 2021. During his tenure at the school, Smith sexually assaulted and exploited multiple male students who attended the school. Smith’s crimes were revealed in 2019 after he sexually assaulted a minor male student during a track and field meet in Puerto Rico. The victim reported to law enforcement that Smith forced him and other minor male students to engage in sexual intercourse and sodomy both on and off the school campus, and that Smith used his cell phone to record himself and the minor male victims engaging in sexual acts and pornography.
Court documents further revealed that Smith’s Facebook account contained a large quantity of sexually explicit material, including videos of sexual activities between Smith and the minor male victims, recorded in different locations in St. Thomas. When Smith was arrested on September 1, 2021, law enforcement seized a laptop, a camcorder and five cellular phones which contained a large quantity of videos and photographs containing child pornography. Smith used his position as hall monitor to remove minor male students from their classrooms during and after school hours to sexually abuse them in empty classrooms and offices on the school’s campus. In fact, Smith’s office, where most of the sexual abuse took place, was next door to the principal’s office. Smith also used the school’s official vehicle and camcorder to transport the minor male students and record the sexual abuse at various locations in St. Thomas.
At sentencing, Chief Judge Molloy told Smith that “Charlotte Amalie High School during those 15 years was your playground to molest those children. School is supposed to be a safe haven – like their home, not a place that cases trauma and pain.” Molloy further stated that “if it were not for the courage of the children who reported these atrocities, we would not know what happened.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Everard E. Potter and Natasha Baker.
St. Croix Prison Guards Convicted of Assaulting Inmate and Falsifying Reports of the AssaultRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that a federal jury convicted two former Virgin Islands Correctional Officers of depriving an inmate of his rights under color of law and obstruction of an FBI investigation. After an eight-day trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts against Maxwell Bryan, 53, and Elvin Bloice, 72, both Correctional Officers at the John A. Bell Correctional Facility in St. Croix at the time of offenses. Bloice was also convicted of making materially false statements to the FBI.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to upholding the civil and constitutional rights of all citizens, including inmates who must rely on correctional officers to protect them. This case warranted attention from the Department of Justice because of the Color of Law violations that makes it a crime for anyone to abuse their legal power or authority to deprive another of their rights”, United States Attorney Smith said.
According to the evidence presented at trial, on September 17, 2021, after refusing to return to his cell, Bryan cornered the inmate, lifted, and pushed him into his cell. Once in his cell, Bryan punched the inmate twice on his forehead and choked him. While the assault was underway, Bloice stood in front of the cell and partially closed the cell door to prevent the ongoing assault from being captured by the facility’s video cameras. Trial evidence further established that Bryan’s assault of the inmate was in retaliation to an incident that occurred on August 23, 2021, when the inmate kicked the door of Bryan’s vehicle. After the assault, both Bryan and Bloice knowingly submitted false incident reports denying any assault occurred. Thereafter, on October 4, 2021, Bloice again denied to the FBI that the assault ever occurred.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by United States Attorneys Evan Rikhye and Dan Huston. Deputy Chief Forrest Christian of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division provided invaluable assistance in the prosecution of this case.
Five Charged Following DEA Undercover Drug OperationRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI - United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that a federal grand jury retuned indictments charging Jamil Bell, 43, Peter Francis, 33, Niah Henry, 44, Anwar Lockhart, 41, and Kenson Plasimo, 43, with drug trafficking.
According to court documents, between December 5, 2023, and December 7, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Virgin Islands Police Department utilized an undercover agent to conduct purchases of cocaine and oxycodone pills from the defendants in the area of Red Hook, St. Thomas.
These cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Virgin Islands Police Department and are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cherrisse R. Woods and Kimberly M. Riley.
United States Attorney Smith reminds the public that an indictment is not evidence of guilt, and all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Bvi Man Pleads Guilty to Alien SmugglingRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI - United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Lorenzo Ortis Charles, 36, of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, pleaded guilty to smuggling aliens into the United States.
According to court documents, on February 23, 2024, Customs and Border Patrol intercepted a vessel that departed Tortola, BVI and entered United States waters. The vessel, operated by Charles, had no navigational lights as it entered Leinster Bay, St, John. On board the vessel was five individuals who had no legal rights to enter the United States.
This case was investigated by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly M. Riley.
Dominican Republic Man Sentenced to 10 Years on Cocaine Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Ruben Reyes, 37, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced to 120 months incarceration by Chief Judge Robert A. Molloy, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute While on Board a Vessel Subject to the Jurisdiction of the United States.
According to court documents, on November 18, 2020, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations intercepted a vessel traveling from St. Thomas towards Puerto Rico at approximately one mile southwest of Savana Island. The vessel was operating without navigational lights, and individuals on board the vessel were observed throwing black objects overboard into the ocean. Agents placed markers in the locations where the objects were discarded while they continued to pursue the vessel. Reyes, Jorge Romero Amaro, Giovanni Graciani, Hector Rivera Concepcion and Pedro Luis Sayan Villanueva were found on board the vessel and seven duffle bags containing approximately 198 kilograms were recovered from the ocean.
This case was investigated by Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel H. Huston and Natasha Baker. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
St. Thomas Man Sentenced on Fentanyl Possession ConvictionRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Tahir Donadelle, 43, of St. Thomas, was sentenced by Chief District Judge Robert Molloy to 43 months incarceration after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
“Across the United States, opioids, primarily fentanyl, killed over 80,000 people in 2021 alone,” stated United States Attorney Delia Smith. “Here in the Virgin Islands, we have thus far been spared the worst of the opioid epidemic, but this seizure of fentanyl by CBP officers shows that we are not immune. Fortunately, the vigilance and dedication of our law enforcement partners led to the interception of these deadly drugs, and we were able to convict those responsible. We will continue to do everything in our power to keep the Virgin Islands safe from this lethal scourge.” In 2023, Elijah Hakim was sentenced to 85 months of incarceration after a federal jury found him guilty in the first fentanyl conviction for the District of the Virgin Islands. Also in 2023, VIPD reported three deaths related to fentanyl. The deadly narcotic has caused an epidemic in the United States, but documented cases in the Virgin Islands remain low.
According to court documents, on September 8, 2022, Donadelle traveled from Atlanta, GA to St. Thomas, and was randomly selected by Customs and Border Protection for a baggage inspection upon arrival at the Cyril E. King Airport. During the inspection, officers discovered 14 vacuum-sealed packages inside Donadelle’s luggage, 11 of which contained marijuana. The remaining three packages contained 964 light blue fentanyl pills bearing “M” on one side and “30” on the other side.
“Fentanyl is one of the deadliest drug threats that our nation has ever encountered. Our exceptional frontline officers work tirelessly to ensure this poison doesn’t make it through our borders and into our communities”, said Roberto Vaquero, Director of Field Operations for Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Special Agent in Charge Eugene Thomas reiterated that the “Virgin Islands community benefits when we arrest and prosecute those that attempt to smuggle these dangerous drugs into our territory.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection and Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne.
Nicaraguan Man Sentenced to 57 Months in 550 Kilograms Cocaine Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Michael Nelson-Gaet, 36, of Nicaragua was sentenced to 57 months incarceration by District Judge Wilma A. Lewis after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance While on Board a Vessel Subject to the Jurisdiction of the United States. Judge Lewis also sentenced Nelson-Gaet to two years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
According to court documents, on March 5, 2022, while patrolling in international waters, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Legare intercepted go-fast vessel “La Bendecida Leo” 140 nautical miles southwest of Isla de Malpelo, Columbia. The vessel was traveling at a high rate of speed with bales and fuel barrels observed on deck. Nelson-Gaet, Jorge Gutierrez-Picado and Roy McElroy-Carlos were observed onboard the vessel throwing bales of suspected narcotics overboard. The vessel had no registration and the occupants claimed Nicaraguan nationality for the vessel. Nicaragua could neither confirm nor deny nationality of the vessel to the Coast Guard thereby subjecting the vessel to the jurisdiction of the United States. A search of the La Bendecida Leo, including the bales recovered from the ocean, resulted in the seizure of approximately 550 kilograms of cocaine and 136 pounds of marijuana. For his role, Gutierrez-Picado was sentenced to 70 months incarceration and 2 years of supervised release, and McElroy-Carlos awaits trial in his case.
This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard, Homeland Security Investigations and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel H. Huston. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
National Park Service Deputy Superintendent Sentenced in Fraud CaseRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Gregory Camacho, 43, of St. Croix, was sentenced by District Judge Wilma A. Lewis to nine months of home detention with electronic monitoring and four years of probation after pleading guilty to Converting Property of Another. Judge Lewis also imposed a fine of $6,000.00, a special assessment of $75, and ordered Camacho to pay $29,502.20 restitution to the National Park Service.
According to court documents, Camacho was the Deputy Park Superintendent in St. Croix. In June 2019 through August 2020, Camacho also served as the Acting Park Superintendent. As an employee, Camacho rented two units from the National Park Service housing units but failed to pay rent between June 2019 and June 2020 on both units which resulted in a loss of $14,192.10 to the National Park Service. In July 2019, Camacho relocated from Titusville, FL, to St. Croix, and falsely claimed that his wife and four children relocated with him. As a result, Camacho received $13,387.50 in relocation expense reimbursement that he was not entitled to. Between October 2018 and September 2019, Camacho traveled from his primary duty station and was entitled to reimbursement for various travel-related expenses, including meal and incidental expenditures per diems. However, on four occasions, Camacho submitted overlapping travel vouchers for reimbursement. As a result, Camacho received an additional $1,922.50 in travel reimbursements that he was not entitled to.
This case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Interior and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel H. Huston.
Jury Convicts Former Drug Felon of Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that a federal jury
took less than two hours to returned guilty verdicts against Russell Robinson, 57, of St. Thomas, on
conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute
cocaine. Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy scheduled Robinson’s sentencing for July 3, 2024.
In 2007, Robinson was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine,
conspiracy to import cocaine, and money laundering and was sentenced to serve 160 months of
incarceration.According to evidence introduced at trial, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine
Operations detected a vessel heading towards Vessup Beach in St. Thomas operating without lights.
After arriving at Vessup Beach, aviation agents observed several individuals offloading duffle bags
from the vessel to Robinson, Trevor Stephen and an individual who Stephen identified in his trial as
Ikim Blackett loading the duffle bags into Robinson’s Toyota Tundra truck. The aviation agents
provided updates on Robinson’s location to agents on the ground as he traveled from Vessup Beach
to Charlotte Amalie. Agents attempted to stop Robinson near the waterfront, but he fled at a high
rate of speed towards Hull Bay and headed up a one-way road into a small residential area. While
agents set up a perimeter at the entrance of the one-way road, the aviation agents continued their
surveillance of Robinson’s truck and later observed him and Stephen as they threw the duffle bags
from the truck into the bushes. Robinson then drove to the entrance of the one-way road and agents
stopped his truck and arrested Robinson and Stephen. Agents then retrieved seven duffle bags from
the bushes. The duffle bags contained a total of 210 kilograms of a substance that tested positive for
cocaine. In June 2023, a federal jury convicted Stephen of possession with intent to distribute
cocaine. His sentencing is currently scheduled for March 27, 2024. For his conviction, Robinson
faces a mandatory minimum sentenced of 15 years and up to life imprisonment.The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs
and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, with assistance from Homeland Security
Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle Payne and Natasha Baker prosecuted the
case. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF)
investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money
launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using
a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal,
state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.St. Croix Man, 65, Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Juan Bermudez, 65, of St. Croix, was charged with sexual exploitation of a child, coercion and enticement, aggravated rape second degree, and unlawful sexual contact second degree. If convicted, Bermudez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 to 15 years and up to life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Virgin Islands Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rhonda Williams-Henry and Everard Potter. “Homeland Security Investigations is dedicated to protecting our children and will continue to work jointly with the Virgin Islands Police Department to investigate and pursue individuals who sexually abuse our children”, said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Eugene Thomas.
United States Attorney Delia L. Smith reminds the public that an indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nicaraguan National Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Transporting 550 Kilograms of CocaineRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that a Nicaraguan national, Jorge Adalberto Gutierrez-Picado, age 27, was sentenced by Judge Wilma A. Lewis on federal drug charges relating to the seizure of bulk cocaine off the coast of Colombia. On February 21, Judge Lewis sentenced Gutierrez-Picado to 70 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on March 5, 2022, during its patrol in international waters in the Eastern Pacific, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Legare observed a go-fast style vessel, “La Bendecida Leo”, 140 nautical miles, southwest of Isla de Malpelo, traveling at a high rate of speed with bundles and fuel barrels observed on deck. The USCG crew next observed occupants of the La Bendecida Leo throwing bundles of suspected narcotics overboard. Crew members then launched an over-the-horizon vessel and helicopter to intercept.
Upon intercepting the vessel, USCG crew members observed that the La Bendecida Leo had no registration and the occupants claimed Nicaraguan nationality for the vessel. Nicaragua could neither confirm nor deny nationality of the vessel to the USCG. A search of the La Bendecida Leo, including the bundles of suspected narcotics recovered from the ocean, resulted in the seizure of approximately 550.6 kilograms of cocaine and 136 pounds of marijuana.
The USCG, Homeland Security Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston prosecuted the case.This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Two Puerto Rican Men Sentenced on Cocaine Smuggling ConvictionsRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy sentenced Pedro Juan Ramos-Ramirez, 28, and Gerald Albert Cruz, 27, both of Puerto Rico to 48 and 57 months incarceration, followed by four years of supervised release and $100 special assessment each, on their convictions for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine While on Board a Vessel Subject to the Jurisdiction of the United States.
According to court documents, on December 29, 2021, Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations officers interdicted a go-fast vessel operating without navigational lights heading towards Puerto Rico. As the officer pursued the vessel, the occupants began throwing bails into the ocean. Officers disabled the vessel’s engine forcing it to stop, and later recovered the bales from the ocean which contained 73 bricks of cocaine weighing 75 kilograms.
This case was investigated by Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operation, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter.
Four Venezuelan Men Charged with Smuggling over Two Tons of Cocaine on the South Shore of St. CroixRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI –United States Attorney Delia L. Smith expressed her appreciation to Homeland Security Investigations, United States Coast Guard, British Royal Navy, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Virgin Islands Police Department for their diligent and unwavering effort in apprehending four individuals charged with possession with intent to distribute approximately 2,700 kilograms of cocaine.
“We continue to work closely with our Border Protection partners to dismantle transnational criminal organizations responsible for smuggling narcotics into the U.S. Virgin Islands”, stated Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Gonzalez-Ramos. “The shared resolve between the Coast Guard and our local, federal and regional partners in interdicting major drug smuggling activities in the high seas is instrumental to safeguarding our citizens in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the nation’s southern-most maritime border, from this threat,” said Capt. José Díaz, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan Commander.” Drug Enforcement Administration’s Special Agent in Charge Denise Foster stated, “We will continue to work with our counterparts and allocate all our law enforcement resources to make a greater impact in vulnerable areas where criminal organizations dedicated to drug trafficking are causing greater damage.”
According to court documents, on February 11, 2024, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Customs and Border Protection detected a suspicious vessel traveling at approximately 67 nautical miles south of St Croix. The United States Coast Guard, assisted by the British Royal Navy, attempted to intercept the suspicious vessel, at which point the occupants on board the vessel began jettisoning bales of suspected narcotics overboard. On February 12, 2024, at approximately 3:00 a.m., vessel landed at Long Point, St. Croix, its occupants, later identified as Daniel Marval-Navarro, Desael Carreno-Carreno, Felix Jose Bermudez, and Luis Lugo-Marval, were taken into custody after they were observed walking in an open field in Estate Carlton wearing dripping wet clothing. Agents recovered the vessel and 74 bales containing 2,100 kilograms of cocaine. The United States Coast Guard later recovered an additional 26 bales which contained over 600 kilograms of cocaine. Based on estimates by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, the street value of 2,700 kilograms of cocaine in excess of $77 million.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Virgin Islands Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Evan Rikhye. United States Attorney Delia L. Smith reminds the public that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Ecuadorian Man Sentenced in Cocaine Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Carlos Benitez Estupinan, 30, of Ecuador, was sentenced by District Judge Wilma A. Lewis to 57 months incarceration, followed by two years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment, on his Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute While on Board a Vessel Subject to the Jurisdiction of the United States.
According to court documents, on November 15, 2021, while on routine patrol in the eastern Pacific Ocean, a maritime patrol aircraft detected a low-profile vessel traveling at approximately 77 nautical miles north of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. The United States Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton later intercepted the 52’ vessel which had no flag flown, no registration numbers, and no name painted on the hull. Four individuals, including Estupinan, were found on board the vessel, and neither individual claimed nationality for the vessel, subjecting the vessel to the jurisdiction of the United States. Coast Guard officers recovered 43 bales which contained 1,298 kilograms of cocaine from the vessel.
This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard, Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel H. Huston. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Two Dominican Republic Men Sentenced in 619 Cocaine Kilograms CaseRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Fernandito Michel-Gomez, age 56, and Dennito Montero-Felix, age 48, both from the Dominican Republic, were sentenced by District Judge Wilma A. Lewis to 57 months incarceration, two years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment on their convictions of Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute While on Board a Vessel Subject to the Jurisdiction of the United States.
According to court documents, on April 12, 2023, while on routine patrol, a Maritime Patrol Aircraft located a go-fast vessel with three occupants and multiple packages on board. The go-fast vessel was traveling at 71 nautical miles south of the Dominican Republic. The United States Coast Guard Cutter “Forward” intercepted the vessel. Neither occupant claimed to be the master nor claim nationality for the vessel. The vessel did not display any flag or other markings and was traveling in international waters. The vessel was therefore subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. A total of 23 bales totaling 619 kilograms of cocaine were later seized from the vessel.
This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard, Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Daniel H. Huston. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Dominican Republic Man Sentenced to One Year on Illegally Reentery ConvictionRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Cristian Lopez-Moncion, 42, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced by Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy to one year of incarceration on his conviction of Illegal Reentry into the United States of a Removed Alien after pleading guilty on October 6, 2023.
According to court documents, on February 23, 2023, Lopez-Moncion was seen in the vicinity of Emile Griffith Ballpark in St. Thomas by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer who was familiar with Lopez-Moncion and was aware of that he had been deported from the United States in 2019. Further investigation confirmed that the individual in question was, in fact, Lopez-Moncion. After his arrest on May 4, 2023, Lopez-Moncion admitted that he had been deported from the United States.
The case was investigated by United States Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations and Department of Homeland Security Enforcement and Removal and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Evan Rikhye.
California Man Charged with Threats to Kill Postal WorkersRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Simon Peters, 41, of Valley Center, CA, was charged after repeatedly making threats to kill postal workers in St. Thomas. Peters is expected to appear before a federal magistrate judge in California on February 15, 2024, after with he will appear in St. Thomas for prosecution.
According to court documents, on January 27, 2024, a United States Postal Service employee received a telephone call from Peters at the Ottley Post Office located in St. Thomas. Peters was angry that his package addressed to the Kirwan Terrace Housing Community had not been delivered. During the call, Peters told the postal employee to “Make sure the fat boy know we’re watching him and next time we’re going to kill him behind the building”. Peters further threatened that if “any more packages from California go missing, you will see what happen to the co-workers, one by one.” Peters provided the tracking number for his missing package which had been intercepted and seized by Customs and Border Protection. An inspection of the package reveals that it contained marijuana. On January 29, 2024, Peters again contacted the Ottley Post Office and asked to speak with the Kirwan Terrace delivery driver. Peters stated that he had people driving around looking for the postal employee to kill him.
This case is being investigated by United States Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Natasha L. Baker.United States Attorney reminds the pubic that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
St. John Man Sentenced on Cocaine Possession ConvictionRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that Calis Sewer, 25, of St. John, was sentenced by Chief Judge Robert A. Molloy to four years of incarceration after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to court documents, on March 21, 2023, Virgin Islands Police Department officers initiated a traffic stop on Sewer who was driving a Suzuki Vitara registered in his name. During the stop, a drug detection canine alerted to the presence of narcotics and officers later discovered 18 bricks of cocaine concealed in a duffle bag in the trunk of Sewer’s vehicle. Prior to the traffic stop, federal law enforcement agents surveilled Sewer as he walked down the Brown Bay trail, an area known for drug smuggling, towards the beach. Sewer was later observed walking up the trail carrying a black duffle bag. Law enforcement agents maintained surveillance of Sewer as he traveled to his residence and later left with the duffle bag. Sewer was arrested after disembarking the car ferry in Red Hook, St. Thomas.
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigation and Virgin Islands Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne.Ohio Man Arrested for Wire Fraud and Aggravted Identity Theft in Connection with Scheme on St. CroixRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – Mitch G. Stevenson, 61, who was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of the Virgin Islands for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, was arrested yesterday by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced. After his arrest, Stevenson was brought before Magistrate Judge Stephanie Bowman of the Southern District of Ohio, who ordered that he be detained pending further judicial proceedings.
According to court documents, in the summer of 2023, Stevenson approached a Florida-based investor with a business proposition which involved the purchase of scrap electric and wire cable located at Port Hamilton on St. Croix. Stevenson proposed that the Florida-based investor pay Port Hamilton $83,200 for 9,200 feet of miscellaneous electric wire and cable, which would be secured by a bill of sale granting him ownership of the scrap electric and wire cable. Court documents further state that the scrap electric and wire cable would then be transported to Florida, where it would be processed to extract the copper, which would be re-sold for a profit. The two men would then equally split the profits from the sale of the extracted copper.
According to court documents, in order to effectuate this business transaction, Stevenson entered into a contract with Port Hamilton for the purchase of the scrap electric and wire cable. The contract, which was signed by a representative of Port Hamilton, did not include the Florida-based investor as a party to the agreement. Court documents further state that Stevenson concealed the source of the funding from the Port Hamilton representative and gave the Florida-based investor a fake bill of sale, purportedly signed by a representative of Port Hamilton. In reliance on the fake bill of sale, the Florida-based investor wired the $83,200 to Port Hamilton’s bank account. Upon receipt of the $83,200, Port Hamilton transferred ownership of the scrap wire and metal to Stevenson even though the Florida-based investor paid for it.
The United States Attorney reminds the public that an indictment is merely an allegation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Evan Rikhye.
Two St. Croix Men Indicted in Castaways Robbery and HomicideRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Enock Cole, age 25, and Jiovoni Smith, age 24, were indicted by a federal grand jury for the robbery and homicide that occurred at the Castaways bar and restaurant on St. Croix on November 14, 2018.
The indictment charges Cole and Smith with Hobbs Act Robbery, Discharge of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence Resulting in Death, Use of a Minor in a Crime of Violence, and First-Degree Murder. Both men are scheduled to make their initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson III on February 1, 2024.
If convicted, Cole and Smith face a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. For more information on the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, please see: https://www.justice.gov/psn.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Virgin Islands Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rhonda Williams-Henry and Daniel H. Huston.
United States Attorney Smith 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 found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
St. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that on January 18,
2024, Tahir Donadelle, of St. Thomas, entered a guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth
Miller to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.According to court documents, on September 8, 2022, Donadelle arrived at the Cyril E. King
airport in St. Thomas after disembarking a flight from Atlanta, GA. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) officers were screening luggage from the flight and noticed that a suitcase
appeared to contain marijuana. The officers placed the suitcase on the luggage carousel and
observed Donadelle retrieve the suitcase. A CBP officer then escorted Donadelle for screening
and inspection. Donadelle claimed the suitcase as his property. CBP officers then searched the
suitcase and found three packages which contained 964 light blue pills. The U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratory confirmed that the pills contained 109 grams of
fentanyl.Donadelle faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. He will be sentenced after the
completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district
court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and
other statutory factors.This case was investigated by CBP and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is
being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne.St. Croix Woman Charged with Wire FraudRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Nicole Morales, 47, a native of St. Croix, was charged in a 153-count wire fraud indictment.
According to court documents, on November 10, 2015, Morales began her employment as an office manager with Nichols, Newman, Logan, Grey and Lockwood, P.C. where she was responsible for processing employee payroll. In December 2015 through January 2019, Morales was engaged in a pattern of inflating her payroll. During this period, Morales also wired $371,595.74 from her employer’s bank account into three separate personal bank accounts. If convicted, Morales faces a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel H. Huston.
Ghost Gun Manufacturer Sentenced to 10 Years IncarcerationRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Somalie Bruce, 37, of St. Croix, was sentenced by Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy to 120 months incarceration after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Traffic Firearms and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.
“The manufacture of ‘ghost guns’ is intended to commit senseless acts of violence that are almost impossible to solve. I am therefore relieved that due to the excellent work of federal and local law enforcement partners, many lives have been saved”, said United States Attorney Smith. “The outcome of this investigation and significant sentence is a testament to the successful collaboration between our law enforcement agencies. The assembly of ghost guns pose a significant threat to the safety of Virgin Islanders. HSI has a firm stance against weapons trafficking and wants to make it clear that we will not tolerate weapons trafficking which is fueling violent crimes in the Territory”, said HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Gonzalez-Ramos.
According to court documents, federal agents began investigating Bruce in March 2020, after Customs and Border Protection intercepted a package that was mailed by Bruce from a post office in St. Croix containing approximately 1.1 kilograms of cocaine. Further investigation revealed that Bruce’s girlfriend Jeanorah Williams had purchased 67 postal money orders totaling $65,000.00 payable to several gun manufacturers in Florida and North Carolina. Agents learned that, from May 2019 to July 2020, over 70 packages containing multiple firearm parts, including M-16 rifle bolt assemblies, AR15 rifle barrels and flare gun inserts which are used to convert a flare gun into a firearm, were shipped to Bruce and Williams from the same firearm companies. Agents also recovered invoices dated May 2019 through August 2020 from several firearms companies totaling over $95,000.00 for purchases of 200 firearms parts and accessories used in the construction of AR-15 and M-16 rifles and Glock handguns. Between October and December 2020, Bruce and Williams collected additional packages of firearm parts and accessories from the same post office in St. Croix. In a search of Bruce and Williams’ apartment, agents also recovered several assembled firearms, including one with an obliterated serial number, a shotgun and five handguns. Neither Bruce nor Williams are licensed firearm dealers, importers or manufacturers, as defined by federal law, and neither possesses a license or permit to carry, possess, or otherwise own a firearm under Virgin Islands law. On November 28, 2023, Williams pleaded guilty to Engaging in the Business of Manufacturing Firearms without a License. Her sentencing date has not been set by the court.
“I am extremely proud of our CBP Officers and law enforcement counterparts who utilized a multilayered enforcement approach of intelligence collection, x-ray technology, analysis, and, most importantly, subject matter expertise to ultimately disrupt this criminal organization and keep our Virgin Islands community safe,” said Roberto Vaquero, San Juan Field Office Director of Operations, Customs and Border Protection.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Investigation Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms, Drug Enforcement Administration, Virgin Islands Port Authority and Virgin Islands Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCEDTF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transactional criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Pair Sentenced to 45 Months Incarceration on Cocaine Conspiracy ConvictionRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Jose Solano, 53, and Andrew Wilson, 49, were sentenced by Chief District Judge Robert Molloy to 42 months incarceration after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.
According to court documents, on October 13, 2021, a Drug Enforcement Administration confidential source arranged for the purchase of 25 kilograms of cocaine at a cost of $312,000.00 from Solano. On October 14, 2021, agents and the confidential source arrived at the Havensight Mall, St. Thomas, the location of the exchange. Solano, Wilson, Matthew Hazel, Lodwin Ashton and Cesar Thomas-Leveret later arrived at Havensight to complete the cocaine sale and were arrested. Agents recovered approximately 25 bricks of cocaine from the trunk of Solano’s G35 Infiniti and one loaded semi-automatic Walther Arms handgun from the driver’s seat. An additional loaded Glock firearm was also recovered. The suspected cocaine was laboratory tested and determined to be cocaine with a net weight of approximately 25.11 kilograms. Ashton and Thomas-Leveret also pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy and are await sentencing.
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations Air Marine Operations, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Virgin Islands Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Melissa Ortiz. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Costa Rican Man Sentenced to 37 Months for Smuggling over 4,000 Pounds of MarijuanaRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Luis Orellana-Orellana, 59, of Costa Rica, was sentenced by Judge Wilma Lewis to 37 months incarceration after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute over 4,000 pounds of marijuana on board a vessel subject to jurisdiction of the United States.
According to court documents, on November 7, 2022, while patrolling in international waters in the Eastern Pacific, 65 nautical miles South of Boca Chica, Panama, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Campbell intercepted a go-fast vessel with no physical flag flown and no registration documents onboard. Bundles of contraband were visible on the deck of the go-fast vessel and Orellana-Orellana, Keyran Coto-Lopez and Alonso Hernandez-Hernandez were found on board. One of the three men on board claimed Colombian nationality for the go-fast vessel, but the Colombian Government neither confirmed nor denied nationality of the vessel. A search of the go-fast vessel by Coast Guard officers resulted in the recovery of 4,104 pounds of marijuana. Coto-Lopez was sentenced by Judge Lewis to 48 months following his guilty plea, and Hernandez-Hernandez awaits a sentencing date.
This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and Drug Enforcement Administration and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Airline Employee and Passenger Sentenced on Cocaine ConvictionRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Ahkoy Smith 25, and Shakari Francis, 27, both of St. Thomas, were sentenced by Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy to 20 months incarceration on their convictions of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
According to court documents, on January 11, 2023, Customs and Border Protection officers observed Frances, a Cape Air employee, on an airport surveillance camera entering the men’s restroom in the departure terminal. Officers approach Francis who admitted that he was paid $2,000.00 to deliver two bricks of cocaine to Smith in the restroom. Officers later established a passenger screening station at the Spirit Airlines departure gate at the Cyril E. King Airport. As the officers approached Smith, he ran unto the active runway to escape, but was immediately apprehended. Smith was found in possession of a red “Jordan” backpack containing two bricks of cocaine.
This case was investigated by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard Potter. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCEDTF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transactional criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Postal Service Worker Sentenced to 42 Months on Drug ConvictionRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Dean Thompson, 54, of St. Thomas, was sentenced by Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy to 42 months incarceration after a federal jury found him guilty of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and of Using an Electronic Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Felony.
According to court documents, from July 2016 to March 2017, Thompson and others conspired to deliver and did deliver over 100 kilograms of marijuana to St. Thomas through the United States Postal Service. As a postal employee, Thompson had both knowledge of and access to the inner workings of the postal service, and he used this knowledge and access to facilitate several shipments of marijuana to St. Thomas. Specifically, Thompson monitored packages containing marijuana as they arrived on St. Thomas and identified which PO boxes should be used to store the marijuana. Thompson also alerted co-conspirators when law enforcement was scheduled to inspect packages and later notified co-conspirators when they could safely pick up the packages containing marijuana. In exchange for his involvement in the drug conspiracy, Thompson was paid in both cash and marijuana.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle Payne and Yasir Sadat.
Costa Rican Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Smuggling over 4,000 Pounds of MarijuanaRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Keyran Coto Lopez, 28, of Costa Rica, was sentenced by Judge Wilma Lewis to 46 months incarceration after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute over 4,000 pounds of marijuana on board a vessel subject to jurisdiction of the United States. Co-defendants Alonso Hernandez Hernandez and Luis Orellana-Orellana, both also from Costa Rica, are scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Lewis on November 28, 2023, and December 1, 2023, following their guilty pleas.
According to court documents, on November 7, 2022, while patroling in international waters in the Eastern Pacific, 65 nautical miles South of Boca Chica, Panama, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Campbell intercepted a go-fast vessel with no physical flag flown and no registration documents onboard. Bundles of contraband were visible on the deck of the go-fast vessel and Lopez and two other occupants were located on board. One of the three men on board claimed Colombian nationality for the go-fast vessel, but the Colombian Government neither confirmed nor denied nationality of the vessel. A search of the go-fast vessel by Coast Guard officers resulted in the recovery of 4,104 pounds of marijuana.
This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and Drug Enforcement Administration and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
St. Croix Man Sentenced to 38 Months on Firearm ConvictionRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Princeton Jameson, 33, of St. Croix, was sentenced by Judge Wilma A. Lewis to 38 months incarceration after pleading guilty to possession of a machinegun.
According to court documents, in October 2021, Customs and Border Patrol at the Henry Rohlsen Airport seized “Glock Chips” or “Glock Switches”, two pistols, pistol components, and ammunition that Jameson smuggled in his luggage when he traveled from the U.S. mainland to St. Croix. Glock Switches are devices used to convert Glock pistols from semiautomatic into fully automatic firing mode.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Evan Rikhye.
Chinese Nationals Guilty of Illegally Entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Chunmei Zhang, 55, of China, was found guilty of illegal entry into the United States following a trial before Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller.
According to evidence introduced at trial, on July 25, 2023, Zhang and her husband, Sheng Chen, 55, arrived at the Cyril E. King airport in St. Thomas and attempted to board a Delta flight to New York. Both were referred to Customs and Border Protection for inspection as neither had a United States passport or any other travel documents in their possession. When interviewed, Zhang and Chen stated that they arrived in St. Thomas on July 24, 2023, by boat from Suriname and admitted paying approximately $25,000.00 to their traffickers to transport them to St. Thomas. Both Zhang and Chen are Chinese nationals, and no record exists that either applied for, sought, or received prior permission to enter or reside in the United States. On their convictions, Zhang and Chen were sentenced by Magistrate Judge Miller to time served.
These cases were investigated by Customs and Border Protection and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne.
St. Croix Man Sentenced to 102 Months Incarceration on Cocaine Possession ConvictionRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Kareme Holst, 46, a St. Croix native and resident of Colorado, was sentenced by District Court Judge Wilma A. Lewis to 102 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release and a fine of $1,000.00, on his conviction of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Holst pleaded guilty on August 25, 2022.
According to court documents, on October 18, 2021, Holst was a ticketed passenger on an American Airlines flight from St. Croix to Miami, FL. During his preboarding inspection at the Henry Rohlsen Airport, Customs and Border Patrol officers discovered approximately three kilograms of cocaine hidden in jars of coconut packed in Holst’s luggage. Officers also found bags of cocaine concealed in the pockets of clothing pack in Holst’s suitcase. When interviewed, Holst admitted that the luggage belonged to him and that he packed each bag.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry. This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Puerto Rican Man Sentenced to 70 Months Incarceration on Cocaine Possession ConvictionRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Carlos Velez-Lopez, 25, of Fajardo, Puerto Rico, was sentenced to 70 months incarceration by Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy after pleading guilty on February 21, 2023, to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to court documents, on September 24, 2020, while conducting surveillance, Drug Enforcement Administration agents observed Emanuel Campbell Camacho approach a vehicle and remove a large, heavily weighted duffle bag from the vehicle. Camacho entered a waiting vehicle with the duffle bag and the vehicle took Camacho to the Windward Passage Hotel. After arriving at Windward Passage, Camacho carried the large duffel bag to the second floor of the hotel where Velez-Lopez was waiting. Agents approached both men and recovered 30 kilograms of cocaine from the duffle bag. Cell phones records later confirmed that Velez-Lopez and Camacho arranged the cocaine delivery. On June 21, 2023, Judge Molloy sentenced Camacho to 87 months incarceration for his role in the drug conspiracy.
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne. The investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Ecuadorian Man Sentenced to 70 Months on Cocaine Possession ChargeRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Nestor Vera Escalante of Ecuador was sentenced to 70 months incarceration before Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy on his conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine while on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States after pleading guilty on February 28, 2023.
According to court documents, on July 12, 2021, while on routine patrol, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk intercepted a low-profile vessel located 125 nautical miles south, southwest of Isla De Molpelo, Colombia. The vessel was in international waters and displayed no signs of nationality. The vessel also exhibited suspicious factors including the low-profile construction, no navigation lights, and operation in a known drug vector. The vessel was later determined to be without nationality, thus subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Upon inspection of the low-profile vessel, Escalante, Jairo Riascos Preciado and Inocencio Espana Castillo, both of Columbia, were found onboard. Also found onboard were 793 kilograms of cocaine inside the hull of the vessel. Preciado and Castillo pleaded guilty on February 13, 2023, and Preciado was sentenced on July 7, 2023, to 100 months incarceration. Castillo awaits sentencing.
This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard, Homeland Security Investigations and Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by United States Attorney Delia L. Smith and Assistant United States Attorney Natasha Baker. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal
organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.Three Puerto Rican Men Plead Guilty to Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Pedro Ramos Ramirez, 28, Gerald Cruz, 26, and Johnny Arias Rodriquez, 28, all of Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Ruth Miller and Chief District Judge Robert Molloy to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine onboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
According to court documents, on December 29, 2022, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations interdicted a go-fast vessel with the defendants onboard. The vessel was operating without navigational lights north of Stumpy Bay, St. Thomas. The officers also observed a flashing light onboard the vessel and a simultaneous flashing light on the shoreline of Stumpy Bay. While pursuing the vessel, Ramos Rivera, the caption of the vessel, took sharp, erratic turns to evade the officers while Cruz and Arias Rodriquez tossed bales of cocaine from the vessel into the oceans. The vessel was disabled and the bales which totaled 75 kilograms of cocaine were recovered from the ocean. For their convictions, the defendants face a possible mandatory sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment and a maximum fine of $10,000,000.00. A district judge will determine the appropriate sentence after considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other sentencing factors.
This case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter.
Domincan Replublic Man Sentenced to 168 Months on Cocaine Conspiracy ConvictionRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Yefri Martinez-Herrera, 31, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced to 168 months imprisonment by Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy after pleading guilty on March 6, 2023, to conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to court documents, Martinez-Herrera and co-defendant Kelly Bruney, agreed to sell 200 kilograms of cocaine to an undercover agent at a cost of $11,500.00 per kilogram. The investigation concluded on February 3, 2022, when federal agents executed a search warrant at Martinez-Herrera’s home in French Town. From the search, agents recovered 87 kilograms of cocaine and a firearm in Martinez-Herrera’s bedroom. Agents also discovered Martinez-Herrera hiding in a closet.
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne.
Chinese Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI –United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Xiaoling Li, 32, of China, pleaded guilty to Illegal Entry into the United States before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller and was sentenced to time served.
According to court documents, Xiaoling Li was arrested after being inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection before he attempted to board a Delta flight to New York on August 2, 2023. During his inspection, officers determined that Li traveled from China to Suriname, and on July 26, 2023, Li paid $7,500.00 to his traffickers to illegally transport him by boat to St. Thomas. Li’s inspection also confirmed that no record exists that authorized his legal entry into the United States, and no evidence exists that Li applied for, sought, or received prior permission to enter or reside in the United States.
This case was investigated by United States Customs and Border Protection and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz.
St. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
ST. THOMAS, USVI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that Kelly Bruney, 36, of St. Thomas pleaded guilty on October 11, 2023 before United States Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
According to court documents, in January 2022, Bruney and a co-conspirator arranged to sell 200 kilograms of cocaine to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) undercover agents. As part of the deal, on February 3, 2022, Bruney and his co-conspirator were to deliver 86 kilograms of cocaine to the undercover agents. That same day, federal agents raided a residence in Frenchtown and recovered 87 kilograms of cocaine and a Glock pistol. Bruney’s co-conspirator was found hiding inside a closet in the residence and Bruney was arrested a short time later driving a truck in the area of the residence.
This case was investigated by the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, Air Marine Operations, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Police Departments. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Affirms the Significance of Supporting National Night Out EventsRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands joins community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners in recognition of National Night Out held throughout the territory in October. For this year’s National Night Out, the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Planning Commission and the Virgin Islands Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group Board have organized several events territory-wide.
One event was held in Buddhoe Park, St. Croix on October 7th and another at the Franklin Powell Bandstand on St. John on October 13th. The following additional events are scheduled on St. Thomas:
- October 27th, 2023, at 5 p.m. – Community Prayer & Praise Day – Promenade by the Waterfront
- October 28th, 2023, at 4 p.m. – Emile Griffith Park to Emancipation Garden
“National Night Out events are a vital opportunity to reaffirm the close partnership between law enforcement and the communities we serve,” United States Attorney Delia Smith said.
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance. It is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
In the Virgin Islands, the program is coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers and brings police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. The goal is to send a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.
To register as a provider at a local National Night Out event, please contact the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Planning Commission: Jacqueline Freeman or Ana Creque at (340) 774-6500 ext. 210 or 209.
For more information, please visit https://natw.org/.
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Richardson Dangleben, Jr. Indicted for Shooting Death of Vipd DetectiveRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a 13-count indictment charging Richardson Dangleben, Jr. with federal and territorial offenses relating to the July 4, 2023 shooting death of Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) Detective Delberth Phipps.
“I want to be clear that any act of violence toward our law enforcement officers is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” U.S. Attorney Smith said. “Such acts will be met with swift and forceful consequences and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Virgin Islands Attorney General Ariel Smith said: “Officer Phipps bravely responded to a criminal act in progress when his life was taken during the cowardly act of murder. The death of an officer in the line of duty is a loss that affects the entire community, and we expect justice to be served in a manner that reflects the ultimate sacrifice he made. The V.I. Department of Justice (VIDOJ) looks forward to continued collaboration with USDOJ in the pursuit of justice for the Virgin Islands community.”
Virgin Islands Police Chief Steven Phillip said: “We stand united as a community in the pursuit of justice for our fallen Police Detective. This indictment is a significant milestone and serves as a testament to the relentless dedication and steadfast commitment of our law enforcement family, who have tirelessly worked to bring this individual to account. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community for your unwavering support throughout this painful journey, and we assure you that we will spare no effort to ensure that justice is served for Detective Phipps and his grieving family. Together, we will continue to stand strong against violence, as we work towards creating a safer and more peaceful community for all.”
“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line daily to serve and protect others,” said Joseph Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, which covers the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. “The FBI will not stand idly by while delinquents display no respect for authority and instill fear in their communities. We will investigate these cases fiercely to bring those responsible to justice. Detective Phipps was a hero, and the FBI will stand by those he left behind in our commitment to curtail violence and bring peace to the communities we serve.”
According to court documents, on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, VIPD Detective Delberth Phipps and VIPD Officer Shahim Skeete responded to a 911 call that came in at approximately 7:54 a.m. The caller reported observing a shirtless man in the Hospital Ground area of St. Thomas wearing a bulletproof vest and appearing to have a gun in his back pocket. Shortly after Det. Phipps and Officer Skeete arrived on the scene, Dangleben began firing at them. Both Officer Skeete and Det. Phipps returned fire. During the shootout, Det. Phipps suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his torso. Dangleben eventually laid on the ground to surrender. He was subdued and transported to the Schneider Regional Medical Center to be treated for the gunshot injuries that he sustained. Det. Phipps was pronounced dead at the Schneider Regional Medical Center at 9:05 a.m.
An assault rifle covered in blood was found near Dangleben where he laid on the ground. Officers also recovered the following from Dangleben’s car: (1) two assault rifle magazines; (2) seven boxes of assault-rifle ammunition; (3) a loaded .45 caliber handgun with a serial number that had been obliterated; and (4) over 300 grams of marijuana.
The federal indictment charges Dangleben with: one count of first degree murder; two counts of first degree assault; two counts of third degree assault; one count of attempted first degree murder; one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death; two counts of discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number; one count of receipt of a firearm while under indictment for a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment, and one count of wearing body armor during the commission of a violent crime.
Dangleben has been detained in federal custody since his initial arrest following the July 4 shooting.
At the time of the July 4 shooting, Dangleben was on pretrial release for a prior shooting death. He had been previously arrested in connection with a February 24, 2023, homicide and charged in the St. Thomas Superior Court. Dangleben’s release conditions included an order not to possess any firearms or ammunition or any dangerous weapon.
U.S. Attorney Smith reminds the public that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and Dangleben is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation was conducted by the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The government’s case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Conley.
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United States Attorney’s Office, Virgin Islands District, Observes Domestic Violence Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – October marks the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. United States Attorney Delia L. Smith joins the U.S. Department of Justice in commemorating Domestic Violence Awareness Month, paying tribute to victims and survivors, and saluting the dedication of advocates, service providers, justice professionals, law enforcement officers, and first responders who tirelessly work in support of survivors.
One in four women and one in seven men experience severe physical violence from intimate partners during their lifetime, and over 43 million women and 38 million men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. Such abuse invariably leaves an indelible mark on survivors and their families, manifesting in diverse ways – from physical harm and psychological distress to socioeconomic repercussions, encompassing housing, employment and education. Supporting survivors and preventing these forms of violence is our shared responsibility. Domestic Violence Awareness Month offers us a platform, in collaboration with community allies, to unequivocally proclaim our solidarity with survivors, reassuring them of our support and our intolerance for violence, be it within our homes, localities, workplaces, or wider communities.
“Domestic violence is more prevalent than many realize, and every instance is unacceptable,” said United States Attorney Delia L. Smith. “Our office recognizes and appreciates the Virgin Islands Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council and the Family Resource Center for their service to the community. The United States Attorney’s Office has a duty to use all the tools at our disposal to ensure that victims have a viable path to safety and justice.”
The Virgin Islands Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council encourages all to wear purple on Thursday, October 19, 2023, to show your commitment to ending domestic violence, and invites all to participate in a Domestic Violence Awareness March and Candlelight Vigil beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Emancipation Garden in St. Thomas.
St. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 87 Kilograms of CocaineRead the Press Release
ST. THOMAS, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that Yefri Martinez Herrera, 30, of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller to conspiracy to possess cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to court documents, in January 2022, Martinez Herrera brokered 200-kilogram cocaine deal with individuals later revealed to be a confidential source and an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agent. On February 2, 2022, Martinez Herrera agreed to sell the undercover agent 86 kilograms of cocaine, as part of that 200-kilogram deal. Federal agents later executed a search warrant on Martinez Herrera’s home in Frenchtown where 87 kilograms of cocaine and a Glock pistol were seized. Martinez Herrera was taken into custody after agent found him hiding inside a bedroom closet.
This case is being investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigation Air Marine Operations, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Postal Inspection Service, Puerto Rico Police Department and Virgin Islands Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith Edwards.
Puerto RICO Couple Charged with Smuggling Cocaine Through Cyril King AirportRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that Pedro Negron-Rodriguez, 21, and Emma Mueses-Dilone, 19, both of Puerto Rico, were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. United States Magistrate released both Negron-Rodgriguez and Mueses-Dilone on $25,000.00 unsecured bonds pending trial in this matter. If convicted, both face a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000,000.00.
According to court records, on September 29, 2023, Negron-Rodgriguez and Mueses-Dilone were ticketed passengers on Spirit Airlines departing St. Thomas to Orlando, FL, with a final destination of Philadelphia, PA. During inspection by Customs and Border Protection, officers recovered eight kilograms of cocaine from Mueses-Dilone’s suitcase. Prior to the search, Dilone confirmed that she personally packed the suitcase and that the suitcase belonged to her. Negron-Rodriguez and Mueses-Dilone also confirmed that they were traveling together.
This case is being investigated by Department of Homeland Security Investigation and Customs and Border Protection and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne.
United States Attorney Delia L. Smith reminds the public that a complaint is merely an allegation, and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States Justice Department Awards over $4.4 Billion to Support Community SafetyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – The Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs is awarding more than $4.4 billion to support state, local, and Tribal public safety and community justice activities. The grants will help build community capacity to curb violence, serve victims and youth, and achieve fair outcomes through evidence-based criminal and juvenile justice strategies.
“Everyone in this country deserves to be safe in their communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why, in addition to continuing our efforts to identify and prosecute the most violent criminals, the Justice Department is putting every available resource to work to support the efforts of our law enforcement and community partners nationwide. This significant investment will go directly to state and local programs that support the victims of crime, support officer safety and wellness, build the public trust in law enforcement essential to public safety, and help make all of our communities safer.”
The more than 3,700 OJP grants being awarded this fiscal year will support state, local, and community-based efforts and evidence-based interventions that reduce violence, crime, and recidivism while delivering treatment and services to those at-risk of justice system involvement. Funding will expand partnerships between criminal justice professionals and behavioral health experts, help people safely and successfully transition from confinement back to their communities, reach crime victims in underserved areas, steer young people away from justice system contact, improve the management of sex offenders, and support a wide range of research and statistical activities that will help justice system professionals meet community safety challenges.
“I am pleased to announce the U.S. Virgin Islands is receiving $6,677,128 in grants for nine awards from the Justice Department which will further assist the local government in reducing violent crime and expanding services for victims,” U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith said.
“Across the country, the Justice Department is working side-by-side with our partners in state and local law enforcement to combat violent crime by using our federal resources to amplify their work on the front lines,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “The billions of dollars in grants announced today will augment those efforts and the tools law enforcement is using to curb violence, counter deadly drug abuse, and promote safety and public trust. Together with our state and local partners, the Department will continue to do everything we can to protect the communities we all serve.”
“The Department of Justice is investing in community-based approaches to violence prevention, law enforcement health and wellness, Tribal courts, improved services for victims, research and data collection efforts, reentry programs, and much more,” said Associate Attorney
General Vanita Gupta. “The grants announced today further our commitment to working with our state, Tribal, and local partners to increase public safety, build police-community trust, and ensure safe, healthy, and just communities for all.”“Every sector of our society — not only the justice system, but nonprofit and faith-based groups, local leaders, and advocates, and people with lived experience who serve as credible messengers — plays a critical role in ensuring public safety and public health,” said OJP Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon. “The Office of Justice Programs is proud to make these substantial investments in building community infrastructure and supporting communities as co-producers of safety and justice.”
Grants will support five major community safety and justice priorities:
- Awards totaling more than $1 billion will promote safety and strengthen trust, helping communities tackle the proliferation of gun violence in America and restore bonds of trust between community residents and the justice system. Grants will support innovative and evidence-based strategies designed to prevent and reduce violent crime, support the health and safety of law enforcement and public safety professionals, promote rehabilitation and reentry success, and address the rise in hate crimes across the country.
- More than $437 million in grant awards will accelerate justice system reforms designed to achieve equal justice and fair treatment for all. Grants will expand access to services among historically underserved and marginalized communities, reduce counterproductive involvement in the justice system, increase opportunities for diversion, and build pathways to treatment for people with substance use and mental health disorders.
- Over $192 million will improve the fairness and effectiveness of the juvenile justice system by supporting developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive interventions for youth. Funding will ensure that young people are served at home in their communities whenever possible, are equipped to transition to a healthy adulthood free of crime and are protected from violence and abuse.
- More than $1.7 billion will expand access to victim services by investing in programs that provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to victims. Funding will support thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory, while helping these programs build their capacity to reach those disproportionately affected by crime and victimization.
- Over $418 million in awards will advance science and innovation to strengthen the base of knowledge that policymakers and practitioners can use to design and deploy effective community safety strategies. Awards will support research and data collection on a wide range of public safety issues, help maintain timely and accurate criminal history records, and improve the capacity of crime labs and forensic analysts to solve crimes, absolve the innocent, and deliver justice to victims.
In addition, OJP will award more than $611 million to continue its support of other previously funded programs and congressionally directed spending. More information about the awards announced today can be found by visiting www.ojp.gov/funding/fy23awards.
Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Illegally Entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI . United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that Guangsong Chen of China pleaded guilty to Illegal Entry into the United States in District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller. Chen faced up to six months of incarceration and was sentenced to time served.
According to court documents, on August 3, 2023, Chen presented himself for inspection to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Cyril E. King airport in St. Thomas prior to boarding a flight to the mainland. During their inspection, CBP officers determined that Chen traveled China to Suriname and on July 26, 2023, Chen illegally entered St. Thomas by boat after paying smugglers $7,500.00 for his transport. No legal document exists that allowed Chen to enter the United States, and there is no evidence that Chen sought or received prior permission to enter or reside in the United States.
This case was investigated by the United States Customs and Border Protection and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz.
St. Thomas Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that on September 8, 2023, St. Thomas resident Nijontea Walker, 21, was sentenced by Chief District Court Judge Robert A. Malloy to 30 months imprisonment followed by 30 months supervised release for possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number and for possessing a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school zone.
According to court documents, Walker was arrested after an April 8, 2020 incident which occurred while Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) officers were patrolling the Hospital Ground neighborhood in St. Thomas due to recent shootings. VIPD officers pursued a group of individuals, including Walker, after the group ran when officers approached. Walker was observed holding a black bag containing an AK-47 firearm with an obliterated serial number. The bag and firearm were later recovered after being abandoned during the pursuit.
This case was investigated by VIPD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that Victor Hugo Cannegieter, II, 31, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Croix to illegal possession of a machine gun. U.S. Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson, III set a sentencing date for January 5, 2024, Cannegieter faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
According to court documents, during the evening hours of June 7, 2023, Cannegieter arrived at Castaways Restaurant, located at Estate Solitude on St. Croix, in an inebriated state. Cannegieter engaged in a verbal altercation with two men, before being asked to leave Castaways by the bartender. Later that same evening, Cannegieter returned to Castaways and engaged in a physical brawl with two women. During that brawl, Cannegieter attempted to pull a .40 caliber Glock pistol out of his waistband. The bartender wrestled the pistol from Cannegieter and kept it away from him. Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) officers subsequently arrived at the scene and placed Cannegieter under arrest.
Upon examination, law enforcement authorities determined that the pistol had been fitted with a “chip,” which is a part designed and intended for use in converting a firearm into a weapon capable of fully automatic fire, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The pistol was fully operable and it had been fitted with an extended magazine that had been loaded with 27 rounds of ammunition.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case with the assistance of the VIPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Rikhye is prosecuting the case.
###Nigerian Citizen Fined $1,500 for Making False Representations to Government Agents at the Cyril E. King AirportRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that on September 8, 2023, Ifeoma Inneh, a 42-year-old citizen of Nigeria, was sentenced by District Court Chief Judge Robert A. Malloy to pay a $1,500 fine for making false representations to Customs and Border Protection (CPB) officers at the Cyril E. King Airport.
According to court documents, on June 4, 2021, Inneh was a ticketed passenger on a United Airlines Flight departing from St. Thomas to Newark, NJ. During CBP inspection, Inneh presented a Pennsylvania driver’s license and stated that she is a citizen of the United States. Inneh further stated that she entered the United States on a student visa and had subsequently become a lawful permanent resident and naturalized United States citizen. CBP officers then conducted a record check and determined that Inneh was neither a lawful permanent resident nor a citizen of the United States, and that her presence in the United States was unlawful.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and CBP. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Natasha Baker.
St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Elvin Wrensford, 38, of St. Croix, pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Emile Henderson, III to Murder Second Degree and Possession of a Firearm in a School Zone.
According to court documents, on May 10, 2012, Wrensford and Craig Muller were at Ben’s Car Wash in St. Croix when an argument ensued with Gilbert Hendricks, Jr. Wrensford and Muller left the car wash but later returned and approached Hendricks who tried to escape by running towards Food Town Supermarket. Wrensford and Muller followed Hendricks, and Wrensford fired several shots at Hendricks from the passenger side of their vehicle. Two days later, Hendricks succumbed to injuries caused from being shot twice in the head.
Within one hour of the shooting, Wrensford was apprehended in Estate St. John, approximately one and a half miles from the crime scene and six feet from a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Muller was apprehended several days after the shooting in Puerto Rico on his way to New York. Forensic analysis conducted on the shell casings recovered from the crime scene was linked to the firearm and the vehicle used by Wrensford and Muller in the attack. The shooting occurred within 1,000 feet of the St. Croix Christian Academy. Sentencing for Wrensford is scheduled for January 17, 2024. Muller was convicted by a federal jury in March 2015 and sentenced to life imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rhonda Williams-Henry and Evan Rikhye.
Second Bvi Man Charged in the Same Week with Alien SmugglingRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Kamoy King, 26, of Tortola, BVI, was charged on August 31, 2023, with bringing illegal aliens to the United States for private financial gain. King is the second BVI man charged this week with alien smuggling.
According to court documents, on August 30, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations agents were patrolling United States waters when they observed a vessel operated by King enter Haulover Bay, St. John. The vessel did not display any navigational lights as required by law. Agents attempted to stop the vessel by activating their blue police lights and sirens, but King refused to stop the vessel. King eventually complied after agents fired flare warning shots and was taken into custody. U.S. Border Patrol agents stationed at the Haulover Bay trail later discovered four illegal aliens hiding on the beach. Neither King nor the four individuals found on the beach could produce any legal documentation that authorized their presence in the United States.
This case is being investigated by Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operation, and U.S. Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne.
United States Attorney Delia L. Smith reminds the public that a complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former High School Coach Pleads Guilty to 20-Count Child Sexual Exploitation IndictmentRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Alfredo Bruce Smith, 53, of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller to all counts of a federal indictment charging both federal and territorial child sexual exploitation offenses. At sentencing, Smith faces a maximum sentence of 35 years imprisonment and a minimum sentence of 30 years imprisonment. Smith also faces a maximum fine of $250,000.00, and a lifetime of supervised release.
According to court documents, Smith was employed as a Hall Monitor and Track and Field Coach at the Charlotte Amalie High School (“CAHS”) from 2006 to 2021. During his tenure, Smith sexually abused and exploited numerous minor male students that were attending CAHS. The sexual abuse was revealed in March 2019 after a minor male student reported that Smith sexual assaulted him while he attended a track and field competition in Puerto Rico. Also revealed in the report were names of other minor male students sexually assaulted by Smith. Thereafter, several of the minor male victims confirmed that Smith sexually assaulted them while they were students attending CAHS. The minor male victims stated that Smith engaged them in sexual intercourse and sodomy both on and off CAHS’ campus. Smith also showed the minor male victims pornographic images and videos of other minor male students which were stored in Smith’s cellular phone.
On August 11, 2021, federal agents executed a search warrant on Smith’s Google and Facebook accounts which revealed a large quantity of sexually explicit materials depicting numerous identifiable minors engaged in sexual activities with Smith. On September 1, 2021, Smith was arrested, and additional search warrants were executed on his home and on areas of the CAHS campus that were identified from images stored in Smith’s cell phone. From the search, federal agents seized Smith’s laptop, a camcorder and five cellular phones which contained an even larger quantity of pornographic images of minor male victims.
The investigation further revealed that Smith engaged in a myriad of sexual acts with each male minor victim. Smith used his position as Hall Monitor and Track Coach to entice minor male students to engage in anal and oral sexual intercourse in classrooms and offices on CAHS’ campus during and after school hours. Smith also used CAHS’ school van to transport minor male students to various beaches in St. Thomas where Smith engaged in anal and oral sexual intercourse with the minor male students. Smith used his cellular phones and a CAHS camcorder to record his sexual abuse of the minor male victims.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Everard E. Potter and Natasha Baker.