Category: U.S. Department of Justice

St. Thomas’ Osvaldo Tavarez Gets 12.5 Years In Prison For Sex With 13-Year-Old Girl

CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A St. Thomas man was given 12.5 years in prison today for taking an underage girl to Mariendahl to have sex. Osvaldo Tavarez, 48, of Estate Bovoni, was sentenced as a result of his conviction for transporting a minor for illegal sexual activity, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said. U.S. District […]

Ranger American Security Guard Charged In Popular Bank Burglary Before Irma

CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A St. Thomas security guard is accused of using his specialized knowledge of a St. John’s bank’s internal operations to steal at least $70,000 from an ATM just before Hurricane Irma hit in 2017. Clement Bougouneau, 51, of St. Thomas, made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller on Monday, […]

Man Who Crossed Border With Mexico In 2001, Ends Up In St. Thomas In 2019

CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A man who was born in Mexico and crossed the United States’ southern border to enter here illegally eighteen years ago admitted so in federal court today. Edgar Ramirez aka Rodolfo O. Salinas, 36, of Mexico City, pleaded guilty to false claim of United States citizenship, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said. […]

BVI EXPORTING THUGS! Gun-Toting Tortola Man Wilding On St. Thomas Until Motorcycle Crashed

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — An illegal alien from Tortola was driving a motorcycle around St. Thomas carrying a loaded Glock 23, ammo and drugs. Authorities didn’t know that until Ashan Randolph Westcott crashed his motorbike into a passing vehicle on Turpentine Run Road at 2:44 p.m. on March 2, U.S. District Court records indicate. After Westcott […]

Four Guyanese Men Who Brought 8,309 Pounds Of Cocaine To Region Get Sentences of 2 to 4 Years

CHRISTIANSTED – Four Guyanese nationals got sentences ranging from two years to four years for bringing 8,309 pounds of cocaine to the region by sea vessel. Neville Jeffrey, 70, Mohamed Hoseain, 66, Richard La Cruz, 51, and Mark Anthony Williams, 32, all of Guyana, were sentenced to 48 months, 36 months, 30 months and 27 […]

Dominican Republic Man Faces 10 Years For Bringing 2,204 Pounds of Cocaine Here

CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A native of the Dominican Republic admitted in federal court to bringing at least 2,204 pounds of cocaine to the territory by boat. Dany Perez-Brito, 44, of Santo Domingo, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess a controlled substance on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, U.S. Attorney […]

St. Thomas Man Found Guilty Of Being Cocaine Dealer By St. Croix Jury: USAO

CHRISTIANSTED – A St. Thomas man has been found guilt of having at least 11 pounds of cocaine by a St. Croix jury. Alvin Henry, 40, of Charlotte Amalie, has been found guilty of one count of Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance With Intent to Distribute and one count of Possession of a Controlled […]

John Jackson’s Family Offers To Put Up $500K St. Thomas Property As Bond In Federal Child Sex Case

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Professional boxer John Jackson’s family members have offered up $541,600 worth of property as bond in an effort to persuade a federal judge to release him from jail as he awaits trial on charges that he allegedly secretly filmed himself raping an underage girl, U.S. District Court documents indicate. Jackson, 30, also […]

Seven Venezuelans Get 1.75 Years In Prison And Ticket Home For Bringing 357 Pounds of Marijuana Here

CHRISTIANSTED – Seven Venezuelan men were given sentences of 1.75 years in prison for bringing 357 pounds of marijuana to the region. Felix Gomez, 38, Roman Jose Aguilera Gig, 39, Jesus Garcia, 35, Jhoan Gomez, 29, Rosauro Morao, 46, Manual Rodriguez, 52, and Juan Rodriguez, 26, all Venezuelan nationals were sentenced today for being convicted […]

Grand Jury Hands Down Indictment Against Ohio ‘Peeping Tom’ Who Failed To Register As A Sex Offender

CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A federal Grand Jury handed down an indictment six days ago against a St. Thomas resident who failed to register as a sex offender here. Jeffrey Cole, 57, of Ohio was indicted by a federal Grand Jury on February 21, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said. Cole appeared in court today before […]