KINGSHILL — V.I. Attorney General Denise George said that formal charges have been filed against 23-year-old Aaron Henry for the rape of a 17-year-old minor.
Virgin Islands Police Department officers arrested Henry on Thursday based on a bench warrant issued by the V.I. Superior Court.
On August 28, 2020 the Office of the Attorney General filed in the V.I. Superior Court a criminal Information charging the Stoney Ground resident with four felonies including rape in the first degree, unlawful sexual contact in the first degree, assault in the first degree and aggravated rape in the second degree. Henry was advised of his rights and arraigned in V.I. Superior Court on Friday. He entered pleas of innocent on all charges.
According to a VIPD affidavit, on July 23, 2020, the 17-year-old victim accompanied an adult at the Wilbur Francis Command Police Station to file a report.
The minor stated that she was sexually assaulted by Henry at a location in La Grande Princesse, Christiansted while attending a house party with some friends on July 18, 2020.
She stated that Henry physically restrained her and forcibly perpetrated an act of sexual intercourse upon her without her consent despite her resistance and demands that he stop.
Based on the facts and information obtained as a result of the VIPD investigation, the V.I. Superior Court found probable cause and issued the warrant for Henry’s arrest.
Bail was initially set as at $150,000 pursuant to the warrant and Judge Ernest E. Morris later issued a pretrial release order releasing the defendant from custody after posting $5,000 upon the posting of property.
He was also ordered to surrender his passport, abide by a daily curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. when working and reside with a third-party custodian.
Henry was also ordered to abide by several court-imposed bail conditions including no contact with any victim, witness, or co-defendants in this case.
Jury selection and trial is scheduled for August 9, 2021.
AG George reminds the public that any person charged with a crime in the Virgin Islands is considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.