Four BVI Foreign Nationals Apprehended in Coral Bay, St. John, Charged with Illegal Entry Into the United States

St. Thomas, USVI – Mohammed Singh, a citizen of Guyana, and Jaisel Yroveles Del Jesus, Shadrach Thompson, and Tereim Grant, all citizens of the British Virgin Islands, were charged with knowingly and willfully entering or attempting to enter the United States at a time and place other than as designated by Immigration Officers. The four individuals made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller on Friday. After preliminary and detention hearings on Monday, Judge Miller released Mohammed Singh, Jaisel Yroveles Del Jesus, and Shadrach Thompson on their own recognizance.

The complaint alleges that CBP Air and Marine agents observed a vessel operating without navigational lights enter and depart Coral Bay, St. John. The CBP agents energized their lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vessel, but the vessel did not comply. CBP agents observed several of the occupants of the vessel jettisoning items into the water. CBP then disabled and boarded the vessel. After boarding the vessel, agents identified the four individuals on board as foreign nationals. Multiple individuals on board the vessel admitted that the vessel had travelled from the British Virgin Islands.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and CBP Air and Marine, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Sleeper.

United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.