CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A St. Thomas security guard is accused of using his specialized knowledge of a St. John’s bank’s internal operations to steal at least $70,000 from an ATM just before Hurricane Irma hit in 2017.
Clement Bougouneau, 51, of St. Thomas, made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller on Monday, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said.
Bougouneau is charged with having committed bank burglary and larceny from Banco Popular de Puerto Rico on September 4, 2017.
According to court documents, he allegedly entered the bank and stole in excess of $1,000 in property and money.
If convicted, Bougouneau faces up to twenty years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith J. Edwards.
Shappert said a crimincal information filing is merely a formal charging document and is not in and of itself evidence of guilt.
“Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty,” she said.
Banco Popular is based out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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