John McCarthy
By: Virgin Islands Free Press News Desk
ST. CROIX — A 21-year-old Sion Farm resident was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility without bail Wednesday evening after allegedly burning a minor family member’s belongings inside a backyard grill during a domestic dispute.
Nyssiah Calderon faces charges of Destruction of Property (Domestic Violence) and Disturbance of the Peace following his arrest by the Virgin Islands Police Department.
Smoke in the Backyard
According to a sworn Probable Cause Fact Sheet filed in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, VIPD Patrol Bureau officers were dispatched to Plot No. 72 Sion Farm at approximately 8:48 p.m. on August 5, 2026. Dispatchers alerted units to a verbal disturbance involving a resident and her 21-year-old son.
Upon arrival, officers met with the homeowner, Natasha Joseph, who reported that she was inside her bedroom when she smelled smoke coming from outside. When she checked the front door, she observed Calderon in the backyard setting fire to a $100 pair of shoes belonging to her 15-year-old son.
Fearing for her safety as Calderon paced back and forth while yelling profanities, Joseph returned to her bedroom and locked the door to contact emergency services.
Grill Search and Firearm Clarification
While officers were en route, 911 dispatchers initially noted that Calderon had been overheard asking his mother about the whereabouts of a firearm.
After obtaining consent from Joseph to search Calderon’s bedroom, responding officers inspected the premises for weapons, yielding negative results. Joseph later clarified to police that she never informed dispatchers that Calderon possessed a firearm, adding that she was unaware of him owning any firearms. Calderon also denied owning or possessing any weapons.
Upon inspecting the rear of the property, officers discovered a black grill emitting significant heat, smoke, and active small flames containing burnt debris and ashes. Calderon admitted to officers that he had burned shirts and shoes, but claimed the property did not belong to anyone in the household. Forensic Technician C. Farrelly responded to the scene to photograph the damaged items.
Remanded Without Bail
Calderon was taken into custody and transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station, where he was advised of his constitutional rights.
Due to the domestic violence classification under Virgin Islands law, Calderon was ineligible to post bail. He was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending his Advice of Rights hearing scheduled for Thursday morning at the Superior Court in Kingshill.
