St. Croix Man Arrested and Charged with a Marijuana Grow Operation After an Investigation Revealed 178 Plants Growing at his Residence

St. Croix, USVI – U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced today that a St. Croix man was arrested on September 28, 2021, on criminal charges related to his alleged marijuana grow.

According to court documents, Virgin Islands Police Department Officers were dispatched to the residence of Mikey Luke, age 48, of Anna’s Hope, St. Croix, on a report of alleged child abuse. During that investigation, officer observed marijuana plants outside of his house. A subsequent search revealed 178 growing marijuana plants.

Luke is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute. If convicted, Luke faces a potential of 5 - 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Virgin Islands Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston is prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.