John McCarthy
By: Virgin Islands Free Press News Desk
FREDERIKSTED — Criminal charges stemming from a domestic dispute in Whim were abruptly dismissed on Monday after prosecutors notified the Superior Court that they would not proceed with the case against a St. Croix resident.
Evaristo Ventura Jr., 56, was arrested Sunday morning following a 911 call reporting an altercation at a residential property. However, during his Advice of Rights hearing in Kingshill, the Department of Justice formally withdrew the initial probable cause findings and issued a Statement of No Prosecution.
Sunday Morning Dispute Prompts 911 Response
According to police records, VIPD officers were dispatched to 49-1 Whim at approximately 10:06 a.m. on Sunday, August 9, 2026, after receiving reports of a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, responding officers separated two long-term intimate partners to conduct individual interviews.
The complaining witness reported that during a verbal argument, Ventura placed his hand around her neck twice and grabbed her face, resulting in a small cut beneath her nostril. She further stated that the argument escalated into a physical struggle on the ground, during which she alleged verbal threats were made. Following the incident, she retreated to a bedroom, called family members, and alerted emergency dispatchers. Responding officers documented and photographed a visible minor injury near her nose.
Conflicting Statements and Allegations of Self-Defense
When interviewed by law enforcement after signing a constitutional rights waiver form, Ventura acknowledged that physical contact had occurred but presented a conflicting account of the incident.
Ventura stated that he grabbed the woman by the face to create distance as she advanced toward him. He told investigators that during the encounter, she retrieved a pair of scissors and struck him near his ribcage before dousing him with a bucket of water as he attempted to leave the residence. Inspecting officers noted no visible injuries on Ventura at the scene.
Ventura was initially taken into custody and booked at the Wilbur H. Francis Police Station on charges including Second-Degree Assault (Domestic Violence), Simple Assault and Battery, and Disturbance of the Peace. Held without bail under territory domestic violence protocols, he was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility overnight.
Prosecutors Decline to Pursue Charges
During the scheduled court appearance on Monday morning before Magistrate Judge Yolan Brow Ross, Assistant Attorney General Katia Maria Bouza informed the court that the territory would not be prosecuting the matter.
With no objections raised by the Territorial Public Defender’s Office representing Ventura, Judge Brow Ross granted the motion to withdraw the probable cause fact sheet and signed a formal release order. The case file (SX-2026-CR-00190) was officially closed, and Ventura was ordered released from custody
