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St. Croix Domestic Assault Case: Woman Reports Strangulation Incident with Child Present

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ST. CROIX — Charges of domestic violence have been filed against a man following accusations by his ex-girlfriend who alleges he choked her beside their infant son.

As per court records, on the afternoon of October 6, a woman approached the Wilbur H. Francis Command police station, recounting an assault by her ex-boyfriend from a few days prior.

The woman described checking her phone on the said morning and discovering several missed calls from Earl Andre. Upon returning the call, she was instantly accused by Andre of infidelity. Although Andre invited her over, she declined the offer.

Later, a knock on her door revealed her ex-boyfriend. She admitted Andre into her home but avoided conversation, instead busying herself with preparing to leave with her infant. She explained that Andre positioned himself to obstruct her movements, disregarding her requests for him to move.

The situation escalated when she pushed Andre aside, triggering him to lunge at her, seize her by the throat and force her onto the bed. Andre allegedly tightened his grip around her throat, threatening to end her life in the presence of their child, who was nearby on the bed. Feeling breathless, the woman attempted to pry Andre’s hands off her throat to alleviate the pressure.

She narrated that Andre momentarily let go, retreated to the living room, only to return demanding some clothes he had left behind. Unpleased with her response, he allegedly assaulted her again, this time applying a firmer grip around her throat and pressing his thumb against her trachea, causing her to faint.

The woman divulged that this wasn’t the initial instance of assault by Andre, showing the officers a bruise on her thigh from a previous altercation. Her delay in reporting was attributed to fear for her and her family’s safety, especially after receiving threats from Andre. His ongoing harassment and mockery on social media post-incident propelled her to report to the authorities.

On October 8, police apprehended Andre on unrelated matters. At the station, he was briefed on the complaint against him. He provided a video statement which, for the most part, affirmed the woman’s narrative. Consequently, Andre was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, simple assault and battery, and disturbance of the peace by fighting under domestic violence laws.

As of the last update, the findings from Andre’s advice of rights hearing, conducted on the subsequent Monday, haven’t been disclosed by the court. Online court data reveals that Magistrate Ernest Morris Jr. ordered Andre’s release on a $101 cash bail pending trial, although the schedule for his next court appearance remains unpublished.

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Crime

Wahilli James Sentenced for Role in RICO Enterprise Led by Incarcerated Paul Girard

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In a significant development, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Virgin Islands announced the sentencing of Wahilli James, aged 28, to a six-year prison term for his involvement in a criminal enterprise under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO), masterminded by Paul Girard from his prison cell.

U.S. Attorney Delia Smith, who made the announcement, detailed James’s admission of guilt in two high-stakes armed robberies. These crimes occurred in St. Thomas and St. Croix, orchestrated as part of the Girard-led RICO enterprise.

Court records revealed a chilling account of the first incident on September 16, 2013. James, alongside accomplices, targeted Gems and Gold Corner Jewelry in St Thomas. The group executed a harrowing heist, with an assailant threatening the owner at gunpoint while James and the others looted a significant cache of jewelry.

The second incident, on November 21, 2013, saw James and his cohorts striking “They Say Bar” in St. Croix. Disguised with face masks and armed, they conducted the robbery. Tragically, during this event, the bar’s owner suffered a gunshot wound to the head from one of the robbers while attempting to thwart their entry.

Judge Savage, acknowledging James’s time already served, adjusted his 72-month sentence accordingly. Additionally, James is mandated to compensate $161,350.00 in restitution.

This case, a result of diligent efforts by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Virgin Islands Police Department, was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Edwards, along with Criminal Division Trial Attorneys Christopher Taylor of the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Marie Zisa of the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section.

The successful resolution of this case is part of the broader strategy of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. This program aims to neutralize high-level criminal threats including drug trafficking, money laundering, and other transnational criminal activities by employing a comprehensive, multi-agency, intelligence-driven approach. The OCDETF program unifies the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat these sophisticated criminal networks.

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VIPD Apprehends Two Suspects Following Vehicle Chase and Shooting; Search for Third Suspect Underway

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ST. THOMAS – In a swift response to a 911 alert, VIPD officers engaged in a high-speed chase on Thursday afternoon in St. Thomas, following a report of a vehicle being driven recklessly by three masked individuals.

Beginning around 3:04 p.m. near Judy Gomez Highway in the Altona & Welgunst vicinity, the pursuit involved a vehicle reported as stolen. VIPD quickly mobilized after receiving a call about the vehicle’s hazardous driving.

The chase progressed to the Mafolie region, where the suspects, attempting to escape, drove the stolen car through a police checkpoint, resulting in damage to two vehicles, the VIPD informed the Consortium.

The situation intensified near Louisenhoj Castle, where shots were fired at the officers in pursuit, as confirmed by Glen Dratte, the VIPD Director of Communications. Subsequently, a male with a gunshot wound, identified as one of the suspects, was found in a nearby yard. He was apprehended by VIPD and received medical attention at Schneider Regional Medical Center.

The incident also led to the capture of a second suspect, who was likewise hospitalized for treatment. VIPD is actively searching for the third suspect, believed to be in the Hull Bay area.

The police have described the ongoing situation as dynamic and continue to work diligently. They are encouraging residents to stay alert and report any unusual activities in their neighborhoods to 911.

Updates on this evolving situation will be provided as they become available, ensuring the community stays informed.

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Crime

Passenger Detained for Marijuana Possession at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport

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In a recent incident at St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, Rayjon Ali faces serious legal consequences for attempting to transport marijuana. This case unfolded on the evening of December 3, when Ali, arriving on a Spirit Airlines flight from Philadelphia with a stopover in Fort Lauderdale, was apprehended by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.

The detection of the drugs was aided by narcotics-sniffing dogs, which signaled the presence of a controlled substance in a hardshell suitcase tagged to Ali. Upon inspection in a secondary area by CBP officers, Ali’s suitcase was found to contain $3,310 in U.S. currency and three bags of a green leafy substance. This substance later tested positive for marijuana, weighing in at 957 grams.

Ali, during a preliminary interview with a Department of Homeland Security Special Agent, admitted his awareness of the wrongdoing but claimed his motive was to earn money quickly. Despite this initial admission, he refrained from giving an official statement. Consequently, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

The subsequent legal proceedings, including Ali’s advice of rights hearing, were presided over by Magistrate Yolan Brow Ross. During this hearing, a bail with a cash component of $750 was set. Further details of the hearing and the case are pending public release.

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