Virgin Islands Senator Pleads Guilty To Operating And Participating In A Criminal Enterprise That Engaged In Bribery, Mail Fraud, And Wire Fraud St. Thomas, USVI

St. Thomas, USVI - Former Virgin Islands Senator Alvin Williams, Jr., pleaded guilty today in federal district court to operating and participating in a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in illegal activities, including bribery, mail fraud and wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in charge Joseph Campbell, United States Marshal Cheryl Jacobs, Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General Steven van Beverhoudt, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) Special Agent-in-Charge Jose A. Gonzalez, U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General Special Agent-in-Charge Yessyka Santana, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Pedro J. Janer, and Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) Commissioner Henry White.

Williams, 34, and two other defendants were charged by grand jury indictment on November 8, 2012. The plea agreement followed an extensive investigation conducted by the Federal Public Corruption Task Force, which comprises the FBI, United States Marshals Service, IRS-CI, U.S. Department of Education Inspector General, DEA, Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General, and the VIPD.

In entering his plea of guilty to Count One of the indictment, racketeering before U.S. District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez, Williams admitted bribing a Virgin Islands public official and soliciting and receiving bribes from numerous St. Thomas construction project developers; fraudulently soliciting and increasing staff member salaries and using the increase of funds for his personal use; and using Virgin Islands Legislative staff members to do his University of Phoenix online coursework for him during legislative work hours.

Williams faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines, in addition to forfeiture penalties and restitution. No sentencing date has been set.

United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe commended the work of the Public Corruption Task Force and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kim R. Lindquist and Kelly B. Lake, who are prosecuting this case.