CHRISTIANSTED — A St. Croix man who shot his common law “mother-in-law” in the back after she punched him in the face during an argument — and then started walking away — faces a possible life sentence after a guilty plea, prosecutors say.
Miguel Marrero, 52, of St. Croix, pleaded guilty to discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, felon in possession of a firearm and first-degree assault, U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith said.
After his conviction in U.S. Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson III’s courtroom, Marrero faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison, according to U.S. Attorney Smith.
A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, she said.
According to court documents, on July 4, 2024, Marrero’s minor son was involved in a physical altercation with a minor female at the Candido Guadalupe Terrace in St. Croix where they both reside.
The mother of the minor female rushed to area to stop the altercation and confronted Marrero who watched as the minors fought.
The minor female’s mother allegedly struck Marrero in the face, and as she attempted to leave the area,
Marrero shot her in her back.
Marrero then shot the minor female in her leg and ankle as she attempted to flee the area.
The mother of the minor female suffered significant physical injuries as a result of the gunshot wound to her back and was airlifted off-island for medical treatment.
In 2000, Marrero was convicted in federal court of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD)
investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston is prosecuting the
case.
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.
