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Former BVI Premier Andrew Fahie Set for Sentencing Today
– Prosecutors Seeking Life Sentence
Former British Virgin Islands Premier Andrew Fahie will learn his fate today, August 5, at his sentencing hearing in the United States, with Federal prosecutors seeking a life sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams.
The 53-year-old, who is a father of two, was convicted in February on charges of cocaine trafficking and money laundering.
However, in June, Fahie’s lawyer requested a ten-year prison term for his client, minimising his involvement in the operation that led to his arrest.
Fahie, along with former BVI Ports Authority Director Oleanvine Maynard, 62, and her son Kadeem Maynard, 33, were arrested by U.S. law enforcement in April 2022.
The Maynards reached plea deals with the prosecution, with Oleanvine receiving a sentence of over nine years and Kadeem sentenced to nearly five years.
Oleanvine Maynard served as a key witness in Fahie’s case, linking the conspiracy to use the territory as a transshipment hub for narcotics into the U.S. Federal prosecutors argue that Fahie played a significant role in the operation as the head of the BVI.
The case has been a major embarrassment for the territory, with prosecutors naming several BVI officials who were allegedly involved in the scheme but who have not been charged.
Fahie’s arrest sent shockwaves through the territory, particularly among his supporters who closely followed the trial.
Fahie’s political career began in 1999 when he was elected as a House of Assembly member for the First District, a role he held until his arrest in 2022.
His tenure was marked by a focus on strengthening the economy through tourism and financial services, and he also emphasised youth involvement in national development.
On 30 November 2016, Fahie became the leader of the Virgin Islands Party, the oldest political party in the territory, after defeating incumbent Julian Fraser.
He was appointed Leader of the Opposition on 6 February 2017 and led his party to victory in the 2019 general election. Fahie assumed office as Premier on 7 February 2019, a milestone celebrated throughout the territory.
In November 2023, while on bail in the U.S. with travel restrictions imposed on him and his family, Fahie announced his retirement from politics. In his resignation letter, he requested that his retirement, effective 24 November 2022, be communicated to all relevant authorities, including members of the House of Assembly and the people of the Virgin Islands, particularly those from the First District.
He stated: “I humbly and respectfully request of you to please officially convey my retirement that comes into effect from 24 November 2022, to all the requisite authorities especially to all members of the House of Assembly, as well as to the people of the Virgin Islands – especially my beloved people of the First District on the floor of the House of Assembly via this letter, among other means you may deem appropriate.”
Since his retirement announcement in November 2023, Fahie has not issued any further public correspondence.
He is now set to serve his sentence in a federal prison.
Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina wrapped up its annual Scrub Island Billfish Series last month, marking another successful event in competitive sport fishing. The tournament, held from September 13 to 21 and organised by The Marlin Group, attracted 13 teams and 98 anglers, with a cash purse of $345,700 on the line. Over the course of two legs, participants released a total of 132 blue marlin and nine sailfish.
Winners of the 2024 Scrub Island Billfish Series:
Leg I
1st Place: Doña Lucy / San Juan, Puerto Rico (Capt. Efrain Rodriguez)
2nd Place: Showtime! / Stuart, Florida (Capt. Jon Meade)
3rd Place: Ohana / Jacksonville, Florida (Capt. Luke Hickey)
Leg II
1st Place: Showtime! / Stuart, Florida (Capt. Jon Meade)
2nd Place: Juben / Charleston, South Carolina (Capt. Jay Weaver)
3rd Place: Marlin Darlin / Clearwater, Florida (Capt. Shay Danzig)
Overall Series Champion: Showtime! / Stuart, Florida (Capt. Jon Meade)
Top Angler (Leg I): Ricardo Quiñones (Doña Lucy)
Top Lady Angler (Leg I): Michelle Espinosa (One Up)
Top Angler (Leg II): Chad Damron (Sodium)
Top Lady Angler (Leg II): Stacey Parkerson (Trilo Bite)
During the first leg of the series, 59 blue marlin and seven sailfish were released, with even more impressive numbers in the second leg: 73 blue marlin and two sailfish. Across six days of competitive fishing, the fleet released 132 blue marlin, highlighting the tournament’s reputation for prime big-game fishing.
“Each year, anglers from all over the world come to Scrub Island for a chance to experience the famous North Drop, renowned as one of the best spots globally for blue marlin fishing,” said Sandra Grisham-Clothier, General Manager of Scrub Island Resort. “We’re always excited to welcome the participants and witness this amazing event unfold.”
Tournament Director Jennifer Dudas echoed the excitement, stating, “The fishing was phenomenal this year, the weather was perfect, and the energy was incredible. We’re already counting down the days to the 2025 tournament!”
Anglers and their families enjoyed a host of luxury amenities throughout their stay at Scrub Island Resort, from the Ixora Spa to the resort’s world-class dining, private beaches, and a marina that served as the launch point for water-based excursions. Visitors also took advantage of the opportunity to explore the surrounding islands and marine life.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Scrub Island Billfish Series is scheduled for September 4-8 (Leg I) and September 8-12 (Leg II). For more information on Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, visit ScrubIsland.com or call (877) 890-7444. For details on the Scrub Island Billfish Series, visit MarlinMag.com.
Four men accused of the 2020 murder of Matthew Daly were acquitted today after Justice Rajiv Persad upheld a No Case submission presented by their defense attorneys. Edward Crooke, Dajshon Benjamin, Micah Ormond, and K’Vawn Choucoutou had been on trial for five weeks for Daly’s killing on September 10, 2020. The trial, which began on September 16, 2024, concluded with the judge directing the jury to return Not Guilty verdicts for all defendants.
Crooke, Ormond, and Choucoutou left the High Court as free men, with no other legal matters pending. However, Benjamin remained in custody due to a separate guilty plea in a case before the Magistrate’s Court, as confirmed by his attorney, Michael Maduro.
The defense team included Attorney-at-Law Stephen Daniels for Crooke, Valston Graham for Choucoutou, and Valarie Stevens-Gordon for Ormond. The jury, consisting of seven women and two men, heard testimony throughout the trial before being instructed by Justice Persad to clear the defendants of the charges.
Before dismissing the men, Justice Persad urged them to contribute positively to society and avoid returning to the courts. “Make this a turning point,” he advised as they were formally released.
However, after the verdict, officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force attempted to serve notices of appeal to the men outside the courthouse. This action was met with strong opposition from the defense attorneys, who argued that the notices were prepared before the judge’s decision was announced. The lawyers advised their clients not to accept the appeal documents, which the men complied with.
Despite the officers’ claims that the documents were timestamped after the judge’s ruling, the defense refused to acknowledge the service, leading to a tense standoff in the courthouse yard.
The case remains in legal limbo as both sides weigh their next steps.
A swift response by the Fire and Rescue Services averted what could have been a significant disaster for Tortola Auto Group (TAG) after a fire broke out at one of their storage sites. The blaze, which occurred at the Duff Bottom location behind the Island Department Store, threatened a large number of vehicles but was brought under control before causing widespread damage.
According to reports, the fire started in an area where numerous cars were stored. However, the quick actions of the firefighters, along with TAG staff members, prevented the flames from spreading to the majority of vehicles. Workers were able to relocate most of the cars to safety before the fire could escalate.
A source close to the company stated: “We were able to move most of the cars, thankfully. Yes, we lost a few to the fire, but the vast majority are safe and undamaged.”
While some losses were reported, the combined efforts of the Fire and Rescue Services and TAG’s team ensured that the potential for major damage was minimised. The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, and further details are expected as investigations continue.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
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