MIAMI — The U.S. Coast Guard and Navy seized what they suspect is cocaine worth an estimated $22 million during a recent interdiction in the Caribbean Sea. The littoral combat ship USS Milwaukee was involved in the January 7 confiscation, which totaled roughly 700 pounds, U.S. 4th Fleet announced in a statement. “It is a […]
Category: U.S. Department of Justice
Jamaica Detains Ex-Senator, Key Suspect in Killing of Haitian President
KINGSTON — A former Haitian lawmaker who is a suspect in the assassination of the country’s president has been arrested in Jamaica, Jamaican authorities said Saturday. Ex-senator Jean Joel Joseph, wanted in the July 7, 2021, killing of president Jovenel Moise, was arrested Friday evening, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) said in a statement. The […]
January Is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month: USAO
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Shappert noted that the Department of Justice is commemorating the 11th Annual National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and emphasizing the Department’s continued commitment to combatting human trafficking in all its […]
3 BVIslanders And 1 Dominican Caught With 1,470 Pounds Of Cocaine At Sea
CHRISTIANSTED — A federal joint task force including U.S. Customs agents seized more than $20 million worth of cocaine after it intercepted a smuggling speedboat near St. Croix this weekend. “Transnational criminal organizations take aim at diverse routes to move their illicit contraband,” indicated Augusto Reyes, Director of the Caribbean CBP Air and Marine Branch. […]
Feds Had To Shoot Out BVI Boat Captain’s Engine To Get Him To Stop
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A BVI national was arrested on December 28, 2021, in St. Thomas on a criminal charge related to his failure to stop his vessel when ordered to do so by United States Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine (“CBP-AMO”) agents. According to court documents, William Malone of Road Town, Tortola was […]
3 Puerto Ricans With 11 Pounds Of Cocaine On Boat Arrested In St. Thomas
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Three Puerto Rican men were arrested on December 29, 2021 in St. Thomas on criminal charges related to trying to bring at least 11 pounds of cocaine into the territory. According to court documents, on December 29, 2021, Pedro Juan Ramos-Ramirez, Johny Arias Rodriguez, and Gerald Albert Cruz were on-board a vessel […]
3 Colombians Who Arrived By Boat From Sint Maarten Flunk Customs At Airport
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Three Colombian nationals were arrested on December 31, 2021, at the Cyril E. King Airport on criminal charges related to their alleged improper entry into the United States and use of fraudulent visas. According to court documents, Oscar David Mira Aristizabal, 49, Alexander Lopera Castaneda, 31, and Maria Eugenia Alzate Sosa, 29, […]
Rhode Island Man Accused of Trafficking Ghost Guns in Dominican Republic
PROVIDENCE — A Rhode Island man is accused of plotting to traffic untraceable ghost guns and then lying to investigators about the sales, mainly in the Dominican Republic. Federal agents arrested Robert Alcantara Jr., 34, on Thursday and charged him with conspiring to traffic firearms and with making false statements, according to a news release from […]
California Woman Flagged As Fugitive For Grand Theft Auto At St. Thomas Airport
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A California woman was flagged at the St. Thomas airport by federal officials as a fugitive from justice for grand theft auto, authorities said. Alicia Alcala – also known as Alicia Long Puertas, age 46 of Diamond Bar, California – was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday as a fugitive from justice, the […]
GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS! Jury Finds Barnes Bilked USVI Government of $600,000
CHRISTIANSTED — Jurors in U.S. District Court in Golden Rock found a St. Croix woman guilty on all counts after deliberating for about five hours Thursday. Stephanie Barnes, 62,, was convicted of three federal and local criminal charges following a three-week trial, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said. Barnes was convicted of conspiring with former […]