FREDERIKSTED — An Alabama woman was arrested by officers with the COVID-19 Task Force after police said she uploaded false health documents to the government’s travel portal.
Franketa A. Taylor of Birmingham, Alabama, 41, was arrested and charged with making fraudulent claims upon the government, access to a computer for fraudulent purposes, use of false information, and filing or recording forged instruments, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
“It was discovered that Taylor submitted an altered negative COVID-19 test result into the USVI Travel Portal,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said.
Bail for Taylor was set at $5,500. Unable to post bail, she was turned over to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections, pending her Advice of Rights hearing.
Taylor called an Alabama TV station to say that she has been released from prison. She also disputed the charges against her.
All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this report are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.