FREDERIKSTED — A St. Croix man told his girlfriend she had forgotten some of their child’s belongings on her last visit in order to lure her into a trap where he assaulted her, authorities said.
Shalom Fenton Sr., 28, was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, simple assault & battery and disturbance of the peace by fighting, all as acts of domestic violence, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
The charges stem from a report that was made at 1:24 p.m. on January 7, 2026, when the victim walked into the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station, according to the VIPD.
The victim told detectives that she was present at Fenton’s residence to retrieve their minor child, police said.
However, before leaving, she was called to return by Fenton, who told her that she had forgotten some belongings of their child, according to police.
The victim stated that when she returned Fenton grabbed her cellular phone to find out who was on the other end, police said.
The victim stated that Fenton became enraged and grabbed her by the throat and squeezed, restricting her airway, according to police.
“The victim sustained visible injuries as a result of the assault,” VIPD spokeswoman Kishma Chichester said.
On January 8, 2026, members of the Criminal Investigation Bureau met with Fenton.
He was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station where he was advised of his Miranda Rights.
He declined to give a statement, was taken into official custody, booked and processed.
No bail was was offered to Fenton in keeping with the territory’s domestic violence statutes.
The accused was transferred to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility in Golden Grove.
Fenton was scheduled for an advice-of-rights hearing at the Superior Court in Estate Kingshill Friday morning.