Crime/Police
Former Premier Andrew Fahie Bail Conditions Relaxed
The court has relaxed the bail conditions for former British Virgin Islands Premier Andrew Fahie, who is currently on drug trafficking, money laundering and racketeering charges in the United States, to allow him to visit a dentist and to travel to his lawyer’s office to discuss sensitive matters for his upcoming trial.
Earlier this month, Fahie’s lawyer Theresa Van Vliet successfully petitioned the court to adjust the bail order so that her client can travel 45 minutes to her Ft. Lauderdale office to have meetings, no more than three times a week, and to seek dental healthcare.
Fahie is currently on one million dollars bail – $500,000 cash and $500,00 surety – and is living in his two daughters’ two-bedroom apartment in Florida.
He also wears an ankle monitor and he and his daughters had to surrender their passports as part of the bail agreement. They attend online classes.
Van Vliet spent the last few months travelling to Fahie’s house to prepare his defence.
The former First Electoral District Representative and chairman of the Virgin Islands Party, was arrested on April 28, 2022 by Drug Enforcement Administration Agents (DEA) at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport.
Fahie, along with Ports Authority Director Oleanvine Maynard and her son Kadeem Maynard, are charged with conspiring to import more than five kilos of cocaine into the United States and conspiring to launder $700,000. The female Maynard was arrested in Florida, while her son was detained in St Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. The Maynards are both still in federation custody awaiting trial.
Fahie, a former mathematics teacher, was first elected as District One representative in 1999 at the age of 28, a seat he has held continuously for 23 years. As a member of the VIP government, he has served as Minister for Health, Education and Welfare from 2000 to 2003 and Minister for Education and Culture from 2007 to 2011.
In 2016, Fahie became leader of the VIP and three years later, on February 25th, 2019, he led his party to victory in the general election, breaking the National Democratic Party’s winning streak. VIP won eight of 13 elected seats in the House of Assembly.
In November 2022, he resigned as chairman of the party and from Virgin Islands politics.
Crime/Police
Multiple Arrests Made for Offenses Ranging from Criminal Damage to Immigration Violations
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has reported a series of arrests across the territory, highlighting a diverse range of criminal charges as law enforcement continues to crack down on illegal activities.
Tyler Harrigan, 26, of North Sound, Virgin Gorda, was charged with criminal damage, armed with an offensive weapon, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Authorities have not disclosed specific details of the incident leading to the charges.
In a separate case, Kelvin Eleuthere, 27, of Soper’s Hole, West End, was arrested on November 15 and charged with harboring a person, a serious offense under local law.
Also on November 15, Shamar John, 47, was charged for overstaying his landing permit, a violation of immigration regulations.
Meanwhile, on November 11, Kelliel Mala, 26, of the US Virgin Islands, was charged with disorderly conduct following an altercation.
Additionally, a 12-year-old minor was charged with indecent language on November 22.
Each of the accused individuals is scheduled to face court proceedings in the coming months.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has arrested several individuals in connection with various assault incidents, including attacks on civilians and law enforcement officers.
On November 1, Julian Peters of Free Bottom was arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was granted bail of $5,000 and is scheduled to appear in court on December 17. Later in the month, on November 29, police arrested Tresley Chewitt, 41, of Windy Hill, Virgin Gorda, for a separate assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Chewitt was granted bail of $10,000 and will appear in court on January 20, 2025.
In incidents involving law enforcement, Ernest Williams, 31, of Virgin Gorda, and Shem Letteen, 53, of East End, were both arrested on November 23 for assaulting police officers, resisting arrest, and obstruction. Both men were granted bail of $3,000 and are expected to appear in court on January 16, 2025.
Authorities continue to encourage the public to cooperate with investigations and report any incidents of violence or threats to public safety.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has arrested several individuals in connection with firearm and explosives offenses in a series of incidents spanning November.
On November 29, officers arrested Luiz Guerra Bethelmy, 45, of Great Mountain, and Dania Livari Castello. Both face charges of keeping a firearm without a license and unlawful possession of explosives.
Earlier in the month, on November 17, police apprehended 20-year-old Daniel Maduro of Long Bush. Maduro was charged with carrying a firearm without a license and unlawful possession of explosives.
In a separate incident on November 15, authorities arrested Richard Baronville, 32, of Long Bush, and Kahlim Smith, 24, of Nottingham Estate. Both men face charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and unlawful possession of explosives.
Most recently, on November 30, police charged Keanus Smart, 18, of Free Bottom, with possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offense and unlawful possession of explosives.
The RVIPF is urging members of the public to report any suspicious activity.
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