Crime/Police
High court awards man over 30k for unlawful search, malicious prosecution

(JTV News) – A man was awarded over $30,000 in damages by the High Court after he successfully sued the BVI Government through the Attorney General for unlawful search, wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, and malicious prosecution in which police officers broke into his home, handcuffed him, and took his sleeping baby away from his lawful care in 2018, according to the court judgment published on February 23, 2023.
Judge Heather Felix-Evans ordered, in the judgment, that the claimant, Damion Morgan, be paid for unlawful search ($7,500), damages for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment ($20,000), damages for malicious prosecution $5,000 and nominal damages for legal fees ($1,500).
Morgan, who was represented by attorneys Jamal Smith and Crystal McKenzie, was slated to receive pre-judgment interest on the global sum from August 6, 2018, to the date of judgment at a rate of three percent per year, in addition to the statutory interest of five percent per annum –from the date of judgment until payment in full and prescribed costs.
According to court records, an argument that developed between Morgan and his baby’s mother, Chrystal Mitchell, at his home, stemmed from an earlier incident in which he reportedly took the child away from Mitchell’s friend at the Festival Village in Road Town — sometime around midnight on August 5, 2018 — and brought the child back to his home in Harrigan Estate.
It is reported that the claimant (Morgan) prevented Mitchell from entering his home when she arrived to collect the baby. It is further reported that Morgan told his baby’s mother that she would be able to get the child the next morning because the baby is sleeping.
The child’s mother however reported the matter to the police who showed up at Morgan’s home and forced themselves then handcuffed him. The lawmen, who claimed to have called out to him, then took the sleeping baby and brought it to Mitchell.
The incident was witnessed by the claimant’s brother and his brother’s girlfriend, according to court records.
Morgan was charged at the Road Town Police Station with common assault against his baby’s mother and released later that day.
According to court records, Morgan said the allegation about a fight that occurred between him and his baby’s mother at his home, the night she came for their child ,were not true.
Court records show that police told Morgan that they did not have a warrant to enter his home and boasted that they did not need one and they would show him how the laws work.
Morgan also denied hearing sirens from the police and calls by the officers for him to open the door when they arrived at his home. In addition, court records indicate that the lawmen had no court order to take the baby from his lawful care.
Though Morgan was brought before the Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charges, the matter was discontinued about 14 months later by the prosecution.
Crime/Police
BVI Police Make Strides in Robbery and Property Crime Investigations

A crackdown on violent crime in the British Virgin Islands has led to multiple arrests and the seizure of illegal firearms and ammunition, authorities announced Friday, March 28.
In a series of targeted search operations, police recovered a semi-automatic handgun and dozens of rounds of ammunition, marking a significant step in the fight against armed robberies and property crimes across the territory.
As part of the ongoing investigations, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) conducted a series of search operations on March 25 at five properties linked to suspects in recent armed robberies. Officers recovered a 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol and 41 rounds of assorted ammunition.
Authorities detained eight individuals in connection with the raids. Three were released after questioning, while five have been formally charged.
Ernest Jacobs, 59, Prynce Jacobs, 19, and a 16-year-old male, all of Josiah’s Bay, have been charged with keeping an unlicensed firearm and two counts of unlawful possession of explosives. A 14-year-old male of Purcell Estate has been charged with two counts of robbery. Ravie Joseph, 43, of Josiah’s Bay, has been charged with overstaying a landing permit.
The charges stem from separate robbery incidents on Tortola on March 3. Police had previously charged and remanded another minor in connection with the same crimes.
Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool lauded officers for their work and underscored the importance of removing illegal weapons from the streets.
“The removal of illegal firearms and ammunition from our communities is a critical step in reducing the threat of violence and protecting innocent lives,” Vanterpool said in a statement. “To date, a total of nine illegal firearms and more than 300 rounds of ammunition have been recovered as part of our intensified operations. We remain resolute in our mission to disrupt criminal networks and bring offenders to justice.”
Authorities continue to urge residents to come forward with any information that may aid ongoing investigations. Tips can be submitted to the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 800-8477, or internationally at (284) 800-8477.
Crime/Police
Drew Farrell Charged With Manslaughter in Virgin Gorda Stabbing

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) have charged Drew Farrell, 42, of The Valley, Virgin Gorda, in connection with a fatal stabbing that claimed the life of Rasheel Thomas Alexander.
Farrell who remains in police custody is expected to appear before the Magistrate’s Court in the coming days.
The charge follows an ongoing investigation into the stabbing incident, which has drawn significant public attention. Police have not yet disclosed details surrounding the circumstances of the attack.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward. Tips can be provided to the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 800-8477. International callers can reach Crime Stoppers at (284) 800-8477.
Crime/Police
Oleanvine Maynard Released from U.S. Federal Custody After Serving Less Than Two Years

Oleanvine Maynard, the former director of the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority, was released from federal custody in the United States on Friday, having served just under two years of her nine-year sentence for drug-related offences.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) confirmed that she is no longer listed as “In Custody” but provided no explanation for the March 21 early release.
Maynard, 63, had been serving her sentence at the Baltimore Residential Reentry Management Centre (RRM) following her conviction in June 2023 for her involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy orchestrated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Her son, Kadeem Stephan Maynard, 33, who was convicted alongside her, is also due for release soon—on 6th April. Currently held at the Miami Federal Detention Centre (FDC), Kadeem was sentenced to 57 months but will serve just over two years, having pleaded guilty in 2023.
The mother and son duo had struck a deal with the DEA to secure reduced sentences. However, the exact circumstances surrounding their early release remain unclear.
In the U.S. federal system, sentence reductions are not uncommon and can occur for a variety of reasons, including significant assistance with ongoing investigations or participation in rehabilitative programmes.
The female Maynard was the star witness in the prosecutions’ case against former Premier of the British Virgin Islands, Andrew Alturo Fahie, convicted in February 2024 on charges of conspiracy to import cocaine and money laundering.
Yet, without official confirmation from authorities, the precise nature of Maynard’s release remains speculative.
Meanwhile, Fahie remains incarcerated at Jesup Federal Correctional Institution (FCI). His release date is set for May 30, 2033, and his case continues to attract global attention.
As Oleanvine Maynard prepares to reintegrate into society, public interest turns to what her next steps will be and how her return will be received.
Maynard, her son Kadeem, and ex-Premier Fahie were arrested in April 2022 during a U.S. DEA sting operation in Miami, Florida. The case stemmed from an undercover investigation in which DEA agents, posing as members of the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, approached the officials with an offer to facilitate the trafficking of thousands of kilograms of cocaine through the British Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland.
Testimony from the agents revealed that Fahie and the Maynards had agreed to assist in the drug shipments in exchange for bribes amounting to millions of dollars. Court documents also disclosed that Oleanvine Maynard was happy to play a central role in the operation, referring to the opportunity as her “blessing.”
The arrests raised serious concerns about government corruption and links to drug trafficking within the territory, a region heavily dependent on tourism.
Oleanvine Maynard’s early release continues to stir debate both within the territory and internationally.
-
Uncategorized2 weeks ago
VG Stabbing Victim Identified as Thomas Alexander
-
Crime/Police2 weeks ago
Gun Creek Stabbing Victim Succumbs To Injuries
-
Uncategorized2 weeks ago
Akim Stevens Charged in Burglaries After Homeowners Share Video on Social Media
-
Crime/Police5 days ago
BVI Police Make Strides in Robbery and Property Crime Investigations
-
Crime/Police2 weeks ago
Burnt-Out Vehicle Discovered at Brewers Bay, Suspected to Be Missing Kia
-
Crime/Police1 week ago
Drew Farrell Charged With Manslaughter in Virgin Gorda Stabbing
-
Uncategorized2 weeks ago
Man Charged in East End Burglaries, Placed on Curfew
-
Crime/Police2 weeks ago
Oleanvine Maynard Released from U.S. Federal Custody After Serving Less Than Two Years