KINGSHILL — In the courtroom of Magistrate Judge Yolan C. Brow-Ross of the Superior Court in Estate Kingshill on St. Croix this morning:
- Jimmar Payne is scheduled for an advice-of-rights hearing after his arrest on fraud-related charges, specifically 14 Virgin Islands Code § 791 defines the crime of Forgery, which involves falsely making, altering, forging, or counterfeiting various legal documents, financial instruments (like checks, notes, deeds, wills), corporate records, and official records, or knowingly passing them off as genuine. It covers actions like forging signatures, altering entries in books, or presenting fake documents with intent to defraud. 14 Virgin Islands Code § 792 (V.I. Code tit. 14, § 792) defines the crime of passing forged bankbills or notes, or possessing them with intent to defraud, under the Forgery and Counterfeiting chapter, making it illegal to knowingly have or try to use counterfeit money (like fake bank notes) to cheat someone. It’s part of Title 14, Chapter 39, dealing with forgery and counterfeiting offenses in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 14 V.I. Code § 795 (Virgin Islands Code) criminalizes the act of knowingly filing, registering, or recording a false or forged document (like deeds, contracts, or corporate papers) in any official Virgin Islands public office, making it a crime related to fraud and forgery, punishable by fines or imprisonment, as detailed in Chapter 39, Forgery and Counterfeiting. 14 Virgin Islands Code § 833 (V.I. Code tit. 14, § 833) criminalizes Participating in Frauds on Creditors, making it illegal to be involved in fraudulent conveyances, contracts, or judgments designed to deceive or hinder creditors from their rightful debts or claims. Essentially, it’s a statute against fraudulent transfers of property or assets to avoid paying debts. 14 Virgin Islands Code 843 (14 V.I.C. § 843) criminalizes Fraudulent Claims Upon the Government, specifically addressing making false statements or using fake documents (bills, receipts, claims, affidavits) in matters within any U.S. Virgin Islands government agency’s jurisdiction, punishable by fines or imprisonment. It covers acts like submitting fake COVID-19 test results for travel or false employment applications, and is part of Title 14, Chapter 41, dealing with Fraud and False Statements. 14 V.I. Code § 461(a) (Title 14, Chapter 22) defines the crime of Access to computer for fraudulent purposes, making it illegal to knowingly access a computer, system, or network to devise a scheme to defraud, or to obtain money, property, or services through false pretenses, representations, or promises. It’s essentially computer fraud, covering actions like phishing, scams, or impersonation for financial gain using digital systems.
2) Astia Lebron is scheduled for an advice-of-rights hearing after her arrest Wednesday on robbery-assault-related charges, specifically In the U.S. Virgin Islands, Title 14, Section 295 (14 V.I.C. § 295) refers to the crime of Assault in the First Degree, a serious felony involving intentionally causing serious bodily injury to another person, often with aggravating factors like using a deadly weapon or intent to commit murder, especially in domestic violence cases. 14 Virgin Islands Code § 297(a) defines Assault in the Third Degree, a crime that involves assaulting someone under specific aggravating circumstances, such as with a deadly weapon, intent to commit another felony, premeditated design to inflict great harm, or causing serious bodily injury, carrying penalties of fines, jail time, or both, and is often seen in domestic violence cases. 14 Virgin Islands Code § 1862 defines the crime of Robbery in the first degree, which involves causing serious physical injury or displaying/threatening with a dangerous weapon during a robbery or immediate escape, carrying a significant prison sentence, especially for repeat offenses. 14 Virgin Islands Code (V.I. Code) § 1863 defines the crime of Robbery in the Second Degree, which occurs when someone forcibly steals property while being aided by another person present or while causing physical injury to someone non-participating during the crime or escape, carrying a potential penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment, with mandatory minimums for repeat offenses. 14 V.I. Code § 1083 defines the crime of Grand Larceny in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which involves unlawfully taking property valued at $500 or more, or taking property from a person, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner, and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison plus mandatory restitution, as detailed on the Justia Law website. 14 Virgin Islands Code (V.I. Code) § 1084 defines the crime of Petit Larceny, which applies to theft under circumstances not covered by grand larceny (typically for smaller amounts) and carries penalties of fines, jail time, and mandatory restitution. 14 Virgin Islands Code (V.I.C.) § 299 defines the crime of Simple Assault and Battery, covering either a basic assault or an assault/battery that lacks aggravating factors, punishable by fines, jail time, or both, and it’s considered a less severe offense than aggravated assault.
3) Milagros Peguero is scheduled for an advice-of-rights hearing after her arrest Wednesday on robbery-assault-related charges, specifically 14 V.I.C. § 295 in the U.S. Virgin Islands Code defines the crime of Assault in the First Degree, a serious felony involving causing significant bodily injury, often with a deadly weapon, or with intent to commit another felony, carrying substantial penalties, especially in domestic violence cases, according to Justia Law and WomensLaw.org. 14 V.I. Code § 297(a) defines Assault in the Third Degree, a crime committed when someone assaults another with aggravating factors, such as with a deadly weapon, intending to commit a felony, with premeditated intent to cause great harm, or causing serious bodily injury, and carries penalties like fines or jail time. 14 Virgin Islands Code § 1862 defines the crime of Robbery in the first degree, which involves causing serious physical injury or displaying/threatening with a dangerous weapon during a robbery or immediate escape, carrying a significant prison sentence, especially for repeat offenses. 14 Virgin Islands Code (V.I. Code) § 1863 defines the crime of Robbery in the Second Degree, which occurs when someone forcibly steals property while being aided by another person present or while causing physical injury to someone non-participating during the crime or escape, carrying a potential penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment, with mandatory minimums for repeat offenses. 14 V.I. Code § 1083 defines the crime of Grand Larceny in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which involves unlawfully taking property valued at $500 or more, or taking property from a person, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner, and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison plus mandatory restitution, as detailed on the Justia Law website. 14 Virgin Islands Code (V.I. Code) § 1084 defines the crime of Petit Larceny, which applies to theft under circumstances not covered by grand larceny (typically for smaller amounts) and carries penalties of fines, jail time, and mandatory restitution. 14 Virgin Islands Code (V.I.C.) § 299 defines the crime of Simple Assault and Battery, covering either a basic assault or an assault/battery that lacks aggravating factors, punishable by fines, jail time, or both, and it’s considered a less severe offense than aggravated assault.
4) Dreadisha Peguero is scheduled for an advice-of-rights hearing after her arrest Wednesday on gun possession and robbery-assault-related charges, specifically 14 V.I.C. § 295 in the U.S. Virgin Islands Code defines the crime of Assault in the First Degree, a serious felony involving causing significant bodily injury, often with a deadly weapon, or with intent to commit another felony, carrying substantial penalties, especially in domestic violence cases, according to Justia Law and WomensLaw.org. 14 V.I. Code § 297(a) defines Assault in the Third Degree, a crime committed when someone assaults another with aggravating factors, such as with a deadly weapon, intending to commit a felony, with premeditated intent to cause great harm, or causing serious bodily injury, and carries penalties like fines or jail time. 14 Virgin Islands Code § 1862 defines the crime of Robbery in the first degree, which involves causing serious physical injury or displaying/threatening with a dangerous weapon during a robbery or immediate escape, carrying a significant prison sentence, especially for repeat offenses. 14 Virgin Islands Code (V.I. Code) § 1863 defines the crime of Robbery in the Second Degree, which occurs when someone forcibly steals property while being aided by another person present or while causing physical injury to someone non-participating during the crime or escape, carrying a potential penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment, with mandatory minimums for repeat offenses. 14 V.I. Code § 1083 defines the crime of Grand Larceny in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which involves unlawfully taking property valued at $500 or more, or taking property from a person, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner, and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison plus mandatory restitution, as detailed on the Justia Law website. 14 Virgin Islands Code (V.I. Code) § 1084 defines the crime of Petit Larceny, which applies to theft under circumstances not covered by grand larceny (typically for smaller amounts) and carries penalties of fines, jail time, and mandatory restitution. 14 Virgin Islands Code (V.I.C.) § 299 defines the crime of Simple Assault and Battery, covering either a basic assault or an assault/battery that lacks aggravating factors, punishable by fines, jail time, or both, and it’s considered a less severe offense than aggravated assault. 14 Virgin Islands Code 2253(a) (14 V.I.C. § 2253(a)) criminalizes the unauthorized carrying or possession of a firearm, whether openly or concealed, by anyone not legally permitted, with significant penalties, including mandatory prison time and hefty fines, especially if done during a violent crime or if the person has a prior felony conviction. It makes possessing an unlicensed firearm a serious offense, distinct from general weapons offenses, focusing specifically on firearms and intent.
5) Ian Benjamin, Jr. is scheduled for an advice-of-rights hearing after his arrest Wednesday on a gun possession charge, specifically, 14 Virgin Islands Code 2253(a) (14 V.I.C. § 2253(a)) criminalizes the unauthorized carrying or possession of a firearm, whether openly or concealed, by anyone not legally permitted, with significant penalties, including mandatory prison time and hefty fines, especially if done during a violent crime or if the person has a prior felony conviction. It makes possessing an unlicensed firearm a serious offense, distinct from general weapons offenses, focusing specifically on firearms and intent. What the law covers:
- Unlicensed Firearm Possession: Anyone, not authorized by law, who possesses, carries, transports, or has a firearm (loaded or unloaded) under their control.
- Aggravated Circumstances: Stricter penalties apply if the firearm is used during the commission or attempted commission of a crime of violence, or if the person has a prior felony conviction.
Penalties (depending on circumstances):
- Standard Offense: Minimum 10 years imprisonment and/or significant fines ($10,000 – $15,000).
- Aggravated Offense (Violent Crime/Prior Felony): Minimum 15 years imprisonment and a $25,000 fine.
Key takeaway: This statute targets illegal firearm possession, acting as a serious deterrent with mandatory minimum sentences, highlighting the USVI’s strict stance on unauthorized guns, especially in relation to violent acts.