Crime/Police
Oleanvine Maynard Honours DEA Deal – What Awaits Her in Terms of Sentencing?
Oleanvine Maynard, former Managing Director of the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority, fulfilled her deal with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, providing compelling testimony to help secure the conviction of former Premier Andrew Fahie on charges related to drugs and money laundering.
The burning question on everyone’s mind is what will her sentence be now that the federal authorities have won their case against Fahie.
Maynard was the key witness in the prosecution’s case against Fahie, who faced charges of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States and conspiring to launder a substantial amount of money.
Over the course of two days – February 6 and 7 – the sixty-one-year-old testified for more than six hours, detailing the plan involving her son, Kadeem Maynard, and Fahie to exploit the territory as a transshipment port for a Mexican drug cartel.
Maynard, who was heard on secret recording stating she intended to use the proceeds to settle her mortgage in the British Virgin Islands, has been held in police custody for nearly two years. Her arrest took place on April 28, 2022 by DEA agents at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport.
On that particular day, Fahie, who concurrently held the position of leader within the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), was apprehended, causing astonishment amongst Virgin Islanders, including loyal party backers, and Caribbean leaders.
While the ex-Premier, under the scrutiny of an ankle monitor, resided with his daughters in a Florida apartment and collaborated with his legal team on his case, Maynard, along with her son Kadeem, who was arrested in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands in April 2022, and later deported to the mainland, remained in federal custody.
And in November 2023, more than a year after their arrest, the two Maynards struck a deal with federal authorities to avoid a court trial and evade lengthy sentences.
Kadeem received a fifty-seven-month jail sentence for his involvement in the drug conspiracy. However, prosecutors repeatedly delayed his mother’s sentencing, moving it from November to early January, and subsequently to mid-January.
It became evident that the outcome of her agreement hinged significantly on her testimony against Fahie.
Prosecutors constructed a robust case, relying on evidence derived from covert meetings and encoded conversations and the testimony of a DEA agent. They presented secret recordings and revealed information extracted from Fahie’s phones.
According to the testimony of the DEA agent, the agreement involved transporting the drugs through the territory in exchange for Fahie receiving an initial payment of $500,000 in cash and a percentage of the profits from subsequent drug sales.
On the day of their apprehension, the pair was present at the Miami airport to examine Fahie’s $500,000 payment and an additional $200,000 for Maynard. The plan was for the cash to be flown to Tortola on a private jet.
Maynard’s testimony linked all the elements, extending from the initial encounter with the undercover agent posing as a drug cartel member and the receipt of bribes to the elaborate plans to traffic substantial amounts of cocaine through the territory.
In Fahie’s defence, he contended that he was being set up by the United Kingdom, asserting that he believed the undercover agent was a participant in a scheme to overthrow him. His lawyer argued that his intentions were to take action against the drug cartel.
On Thursday, February 8, the jurors deliberated for a mere four hours before arriving at their decision. Fahie was guilty. He was handcuffed and taken into custody until his sentencing date on April 29.
The story of Maynard’s transformation from government official to inmate to prosecution’s star witness has been extensively chronicled in various articles by the international media.
Her next court day is expected to be her sentencing hearing, where the question looms: will she, too, be handed a 57-month sentence, or receive a more lenient outcome for fulfilling her part of the deal?
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has reported a sharp rise in gun-related incidents in early 2025, with a disturbing increase in violent crime targeting public establishments. Among these crimes is the fatal shooting of Nyron Erickson, a West End resident, on May 10, a case currently under active investigation.
According to Deputy Commissioner Kendrick Davis, during a press conference held on May 16, the number of robberies involving firearms increased dramatically between January and April 2025 compared to the same period last year. “From January to April 2024, there were six robberies, three of which involved guns. In the same period this year, we have recorded 19 robberies, 17 of them involving firearms,” Davis stated during the briefing.
Police officials note that offenders appear to be targeting bars, pubs, and other establishments that handle cash and valuables. “Their interest seems to be focused on cash and jewelry worn by patrons,” Davis said.
The fatal shooting of Mr. Erickson marks one of two deadly firearm incidents in the territory this year. The first occurred on January 15, when Quentin Noel of Personal Estate was killed. In the case of Mr. Erickson, police have identified and issued a bulletin for a suspect, John Emmanuel, also known by aliases including Brent Danglade and “Small Brent.” He is wanted in connection with the May 10 shooting.
“We believe that, aside from being of interest to the investigation, this suspect poses an ongoing threat to public safety,” Deputy Commissioner Davis emphasised. Authorities are actively seeking public assistance in locating Mr. Emmanuel, who is believed to be in the territory.
The RVIPF has responded to the surge in gun violence by increasing patrols and implementing targeted operations. Since January, nine firearms and nearly 400 rounds of ammunition have been recovered, with several arrests made in connection with these incidents.
Deputy Commissioner Davis concluded by urging the public to cooperate with law enforcement. “If you see something, say something,” he advised. “Every bit of information is important and could be the key to solving these serious matters.”
The investigation into the shooting of Nyron Erickson remains ongoing. Authorities have not released further details to avoid compromising active inquiries.
For those with information, the police have provided several contact numbers, including an anonymous tip line through Crime Stoppers.
Contact information for tips:
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Intelligence Unit: 284-368-9339
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Crime Stoppers (anonymous): 808-477-TIPS or 284-800-877-8477
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has intensified its search for a suspect known as “Small Brent,” wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of Nyron Erickson.
Authorities released additional images of the suspect, emphasising distinctive tattoos that could aid in his identification. The RVIPF has warned that Small Brent is considered armed and extremely dangerous, urging the public not to approach him under any circumstances.
Those with information on his whereabouts are encouraged to contact the RVIPF at 368-9339, 311, or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 or (284) 800-8477.
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Crime/Police
Police Seek Public’s Help in Locating Armed and Dangerous Fugitive Known as ‘Small Brent’
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is seeking public assistance in locating a fugitive known as “Small Brent,” who is considered armed and extremely dangerous.
The suspect, identified as John Dawn Emmanuel, is wanted for questioning in connection with a recent murder in the British Virgin Islands. Police believe Emmanuel also has ties to violent crimes in Trinidad and Tobago, including kidnapping, extortion, and multiple murders, making him a significant threat to public safety.
Authorities warn that Emmanuel may still be using a previous alias, Brent Dain Danglade, and could have access to identification or travel documents under that name.
In a statement, the RVIPF cautioned, “Anyone found to be harboring, facilitating, or assisting this suspect will face the full force of the law.”
Residents are urged to secure their homes, vehicles, and boats to prevent this individual from using their property as a means of escape or concealment.
The RVIPF continues to work closely with regional and international law enforcement partners to locate and apprehend Emmanuel.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 800-8477 (TIPS) or (284) 800-8477 from overseas.
“Your safety is our priority,” the statement added. “Please allow trained law enforcement officers to handle the situation.”
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