BVI Resident Held in U.S. Custody Over Human Smuggling Allegations

Danny Dennevil, a 34-year-old resident of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, has been ordered to remain in federal custody following his recent arrest on charges connected to a human smuggling operation, according to U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith. Dennevil is facing charges of unlawfully transporting individuals into U.S. territory and failing to comply with law enforcement directives.

Court records reveal that on the night of September 25,  officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, intercepted a vessel crossing from the BVI into U.S. waters. The vessel, operated by Dennevil, was unlit and travelled from Tortola to Leinster Bay, St. John. Upon arrival, two passengers disembarked on the beach before Dennevil attempted to return to the BVI. When he refused to comply with orders to stop, authorities disabled the vessel.

Dennevil was taken into custody, and two Dominican Republic nationals were later found on the Leinster Bay trail and detained. During questioning, Dennevil admitted to having smuggled the two individuals from Tortola to St. John, fully aware that the act was illegal.

A detention hearing held today resulted in United States Magistrate Allan Teague ordering that Dennevil, as well as the two Dominican nationals, remain in custody pending further legal proceedings.

The case is currently under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard, CBP, and Homeland Security Investigations, and is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Payne.

U.S. Attorney Smith emphasised that all individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.