St. Thomas Pastor Arrested on Federal and Local Sex Offenses Involving Minor

St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. – United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that on April 1, 2026, a St. Thomas man was arrested on criminal charges related to his alleged transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

According to court documents, Lawrence Turnbull, 65, of Estate Mandahl, was the minor’s pastor and youth leader. On multiple occasions, he transported the minor to different locations and touched the minor inappropriately.

Turnbull is charged with transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, coercion and enticement, unlawful sexual contact, and child abuse. If convicted, Turnbull faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Virgin Islands Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry is prosecuting the case.

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

###