News

St. Thomas, USVI – U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that James King, Masaca Creque, Dwayne Blash, and Harry Davis were sentenced this week for their roles in bringing a large amount of marijuana to St. Thomas in their checked suitcases through the Cyril E. King airport.

Beni Lacatusu, aka Beni Aleman, aka Beni Burcea, 34, of Romania, was sentenced on June 25, 2026, by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert A. Molloy to 15 months imprisonment for illegally entering the United States after having been previously removed.

St. Croix, USVI – United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper of the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that Terrell E. Johnson, 31, of St. Croix was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert A. Molloy to 10 years imprisonment for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence while inside the Cruzian Bayou Bistro Restaurant, located in the King’s Alley Walk in Christiansted.

Bruce Wheatley, a British citizen from Tortola, was arrested for possession and distribution of child exploitation material and illegal reentry into the United States.

St. Thomas, USVI –U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that one of three Mexican nationals, Francisco Hernandez Penaloza, 65, was sentenced on Friday, June 12, 2026, by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert A. Molloy to 46 months’ imprisonment for his role in conspiring to transport and possess with intent to distribute approximately 1,295 kilograms of cocaine on board a vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction.

St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper of the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that Puiu Lacatus, 37, of Romania, was sentenced on Friday, June 12, 2026, by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert A. Molloy to time served—after having been detained for six months and one day—for illegally entering the United States after having been previously removed.

St. Thomas, VI –United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that Jenifer O’Neal, former Director of the Virgin Islands Office of Management and Budget (OMB), was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney to 84 months’ imprisonment for her role in a public corruption scheme involving the misuse of federal COVID-19 relief funds.

St. Croix, VI - United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that Mario Felix, 36, of St. Croix, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson III on June 9, 2026, to the federal charge of causing the attempted possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. A federal judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

St. Thomas, VI –United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that Ray Martinez, former Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD), was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney to 120 months in federal prison for his role in a public corruption scheme involving bribery, honest services wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice.

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Adam Sleeper announced today that U.S. law enforcement arrested three members of an alleged conspiracy running a prostitution ring and harboring illegal aliens in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. A federal judge in the District of the Virgin Islands issued a criminal complaint and authorized arrest warrants charging Hussein Jamil, a.k.a. Hussian Jamil Suarez, a.k.a. “Tony,” 56, of St. Thomas, USVI; Magda Castro Santos a.k.a. “Tatiana,” 39

St. Thomas, USVI –U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that Jahmar Frederick, 32, of St. Croix, was sentenced yesterday by visiting District Court Judge Timothy Savage to 24 months of imprisonment for being in possession of a firearm as a felon. Frederick was also placed on three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.

ST. THOMAS – U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that Davaunte Butler, of Kissimmee, Florida, was arrested for bringing two suitcases of marijuana into St. Thomas.