Press Release
Virgin Islands Barber Charged with Trafficking in Stolen Cell Phones
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Virgin Islands
St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that Raphi Joseph has been arrested on a complaint charging him with Transportation of Stolen Goods.
According to court documents unsealed today, the United States Postal Inspection Service was previously alerted that an unknown person had logged into a victim’s cell-phone account without the victim’s permission. The perpetrator then ordered an iPhone to be mailed to the Virgin Islands. Raphi Joseph is alleged to have inquired about the package at the post office in St. Thomas, VI, and further investigation identified more than 20 additional fraudulently-obtained cell phones being sent to Joseph in the U.S. Virgin Islands in various packages.
This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Brooks.
United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document, and it is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Updated May 23, 2019
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