St. Croix resident Edward Saldana, 37, has admitted his involvement in a drug smuggling operation, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith. His guilty plea to a charge of drug conspiracy was recorded during a court session with U.S. Magistrate Judge Emile Henderson III on April 23, 2024.

The investigation unfolded after a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport alerted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on January 23, 2023. Edward Saldana and Bianca Torres were stopped by airport security as they tried to board a flight to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, leading to their subsequent detention.

Upon examining Torres’ luggage, security personnel discovered four kilograms of cocaine, hidden within her carry-on bag. An inspection of Saldana’s baggage revealed an identical quantity of the drug. Investigations later confirmed that Saldana had supplied the narcotics to Torres that day, offering her $3,000 to transport them to Florida.

Bianca Torres entered her guilty plea on February 12, 2024, and is scheduled for sentencing on June 12 of the same year. Meanwhile, sentencing for Saldana is set for August 22, 2024. The sentences will be finalized by a federal district court judge, who will take into consideration the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines among other factors.

This case falls under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative, which seeks to thwart and dismantle major criminal networks that pose a threat to national security. The OCDETF employs a strategic, prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to law enforcement. Further details on this program can be found on the official website at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry, following thorough investigations by both Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection.

ST. THOMAS — Derrick Callwood Sr., a police officer, faces multiple charges following accusations of assaulting his girlfriend and unlawfully taking her vehicle. The incident reportedly occurred during the early hours of a festive J’Ouvert celebration.

According to a 911 call made on Thursday morning by the alleged victim, the altercation began when Callwood expressed a desire to leave the event. As they awaited a friend near the restrooms on Veteran’s Drive Annex, Callwood grew impatient and forcibly pulled his girlfriend from the area. The victim recounted to authorities that Callwood’s grip caused her significant pain, prompting cries for him to stop, which attracted the intervention of a nearby security guard. Despite identifying himself as a police officer, Callwood allegedly ignored the guard’s efforts and continued to drag the woman toward her parked car near the Department of Finance.

After a brief altercation where she relinquished her keys to quell the disturbance, the woman attempted to distance herself. However, she encountered Callwood again who, according to her account, ran towards her and struggled to take her purse. He then seized the car keys, entered her vehicle, and drove away. Despite these actions, the woman returned to the venue, choosing not to escalate the situation due to Callwood’s law enforcement status.

The situation escalated further when Callwood returned, forcibly removing the bonnet and shower cap the woman wore, then drove off once more. After witnessing an ensuing auto collision involving Callwood nearby, she contacted the police.

A security guard corroborated the victim’s account, leading to Callwood’s arrest following the collision. He faces charges of simple assault as a crime of domestic violence, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and disturbance of the peace.

During a subsequent court appearance, Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull set bail at $1,000. Conditions set for Callwood include mandatory check-ins with the probation office, abstention from alcohol, and a prohibition on possessing weapons. He is also required to maintain distance from the victim and witnesses. A public defender now represents him, with a follow-up court date set for May 17.

Authorities have charged Akeem Forbes with felony domestic violence following a distressing incident in which he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend in public, eliciting shock from onlookers.

The arrest occurred on Thursday after police responded to a domestic disturbance call in the Windward Passage area near Emile Griffith Park. Upon arrival, officers found Forbes seated nearby while his girlfriend, visibly distressed, was in the vicinity alongside several witnesses. These bystanders reported seeing Forbes physically attacking the woman.

According to one witness, while walking near Windward Passage, she observed Forbes over the woman, striking her repeatedly in the face with a closed fist. Efforts by people around to intervene were initially unsuccessful as Forbes continued to hit and choke the woman until he was eventually restrained.

The victim was subsequently transported to Schneider Regional Medical Center for medical attention. She recounted to the police that during the J’Ouvert festivities, Forbes had consumed a significant amount of alcohol. He had taken a break to rest near the Windward Passage Hotel, where he briefly fell asleep. When she returned the jewelry he had earlier entrusted to her, Forbes accused her of stealing a gold bracelet and attacked her. She detailed how Forbes grabbed her throat, threw her to the ground, and struck her, with bystanders finally managing to separate them after several attempts.

Following an assessment of her injuries, Forbes was arrested and faces charges of second-degree assault, simple assault, and disturbance of the peace—all categorized under domestic violence. Although he was scheduled for a preliminary court appearance on Friday, further details regarding his legal proceedings remain unconfirmed at this time.