U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

Orlando Woman Tries To Smuggle Nearly 15 Pounds Of Marijuana In Checked Luggage Into St. Croix: USAO
CHRISTIANSTED — A Florida woman tried to smuggle 14.61 pounds of marijuana in her checked luggage at the St. Croix airport, federal authorities said. Yvette Simeina, 40, of Orlando, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute by

Missouri Man Who Used Gay Porn App To Prey On St. Croix Boys Given 10-Year Prison Term By Judge
CHRISTIANSTED — A Missouri sex offender who used a gay porn app to prey on St. Croix’s male children has been given 10 years in prison, authorities said. Robert Black, 50, of Kansas City, was sentenced to 120 months in prison today on charges of attempted coercion and enticement and

New York Man Caught With 2.2 Pounds Of Marijuana In His Luggage At St. Thomas Airport: USAO
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A New York City man was caught by federal officers trying to smuggle 2.2 pounds of marijuana into St. Thomas last week, authorities said. A criminal complaint has been filed against Christopher Dunn of New York for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F.

OOH-OOH THAT SMELL! Stench Of Marijuana Gives Smugglers Away At Airport Customs Clearance: USAO
FREDERIKSTED — Two St. Thomas men suspected of involvement in an attempt to smuggle at least 13 pounds of marijuana aboard an American Airlines flight to St. Croix were arrested on Thursday, authorities said. Two additional men also implicated in the marijuana smuggling operation have been previously convicted of weapons

South Carolina Man Faces 5 Years In Prison For Mailing Guns To Box In St. Thomas
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — His chance to have his case heard before the U.S. Supreme Court denied, a South Carolina man faces five years in prison after admitting in federal court that he mailed guns to himself in St. Thomas. Steven Baxter, 36, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court before Magistrate

Arizona Man Pleads Guilty To Smuggling 24 Pounds Of Marijuana Into St. Croix
CHRISTIANSTED — An Arizona man who tried to smuggle 24 pounds of marijuana into St. Croix has pleaded guilty in federal court to being a drug dealer, authorities said. Armando Antonio Mena, 29, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty today to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F.

St. Thomas Man With $800,000 Cash And Machine Gun Gets 1.75 Years In Prison
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A man captured by federal agents with $800,000 cash and a machine gun in a crowded St. Thomas shopping center has been given nearly two years in prison, authorities said. John Burgos was sentenced to 21 months in prison and two years of supervised release for possessing

St. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty To Smuggling 11 Pounds Of Marijuana
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A St. Thomas man admitted in federal court to smuggling 11 pounds of marijuana into the territory last year, authorities said. Trevon Richards, 31, of Charlotte Amalie, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller and pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute less

St. John Man Gets 2 Years In Prison For Transporting Illegal Residents Via Ferry
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A St. John man was given two years in federal prison for transporting an illegal resident via ferry to St. Thomas, authorities said. Courtney Matthias was sentenced today on his conviction for transporting an illegal alien, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said. U.S. District Court Judge Robert

Texas Man Tells Feds He’s Not A Marijuana Dealer, He Intended To Smoke All 9.5 Pounds Of Pot Himself
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A Texas man was detained after allegedly trying to smuggle 9.5 pounds of marijuana into St. Thomas that he told authorities he planned to smoke all by himself. A federal criminal complaint has been filed against Lequan Jaheem Pemberton, of Austin, for possession with intent to distribute