St. Croix Man Convicted at Trial, Who Later Absconded to Puerto Rico, Pleads Guilty to Escape From Custody

St. Croix, USVI – On Tuesday, March 19, 2019, Nathaniel Thomas, Jr., 29, of St. Croix, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge George Cannon, Jr., to escape from custody, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced. Sentencing is scheduled for July 18, 2019.

According to the plea agreement filed with the court on March 13, 2018, the defendant was convicted of federal and local charges, including felon in possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm and reckless endangerment in the first degree in the District Court of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix Division. Upon his conviction, the District Court Judge remanded the defendant into custody pending sentencing. The Marshal Service transported the defendant to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility, where federal prisoners are detained pursuant to an agreement with the Attorney General of the United States. On March 15, 2018, the defendant escaped from Golden Grove. He was located by law enforcement agents in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico on April 7, 2018 and was taken into custody.

Thomas faces a term of imprisonment of not more than five years and a fine of not more than $250,000 on his current charges. He is currently serving a twenty-three year federal sentence for his previous federal convictions.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshal Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry.