The Royal Virgin Islands Police Forc e (RVIPF) have charged Akiba Forde, Kwayne Francis, and a 17-year-old male in connection with separate cases of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm.

On February 7 at approximately 21:29 hours, the RVIPF arrested and charged Akiba Forde, 42, of Paraquita Bay for Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. He was granted bail in the amount of $5,000 and is scheduled to appear at the Magistrate’s Court on 20 March 2025.

The following day, February 8,  at approximately 08:59 hours, police arrested and charged Kwayne Francis, 26, of Cane Garden Bay for Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. He was also granted bail in the amount of $5,000 and is set to appear in court on 20 March 2025.

A 17-year-old male was arrested and charged with Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm on February 15, at approximately 14:50 hours,. He was granted bail in the amount of $5,000 and is scheduled to appear at the Magistrate’s Court March 27, 2025.

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PHOTO: Confiscated items displayed in a slideshow at the recent ESHS PTA meeting, highlighting ongoing security concerns.

A crackdown on contraband at Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) has sparked heated confrontations between parents and school officials, with administrators raising concerns about aggressive behavior from guardians and a troubling rise in prohibited items on campus.

In a letter sent to parents on February 20, Principal Vanessa Garraway revealed that routine searches at the school uncovered a significant amount of contraband and illegal substances among students. The alarming findings prompted stricter policies and the involvement of School Resource Officers from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). However, instead of cooperation, some parents have responded with hostility.

“We have seen an increase in parents arriving at school and behaving aggressively towards teachers and administrators,” the letter stated. “This type of behavior will not be tolerated.”

The issue of contraband at the school has been growing, and the administration is now taking a tougher stance. Effective February 24, students caught with prohibited items will not only face confiscation but will also be sent home immediately, with an accompanying suspension. Parents will be required to collect their child in such cases.

“We need parents to do more,” Garraway urged in the letter. “It is your responsibility to check your child’s belongings before they leave for school and have open conversations about the importance of following school rules and making positive choices.”

In response to the escalating situation, School Resource Officers have been stationed on campus to curb violent incidents, monitor student behavior, and enforce discipline. Their presence aims to deter misconduct, particularly in light of growing concerns over students making threats, whether serious or in jest. The school has made it clear that any such threats will be reported directly to the RVIPF.

“We are taking a no-nonsense approach,” Garraway wrote, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

The Ministry of Education has also weighed in, calling on parents to take a more active role in supporting efforts to maintain a secure learning environment. “Recent routine inspections continue to uncover prohibited items which pose serious risks to students’ health and well-being,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry reiterated that matters involving weapons, alcohol, and drugs will be referred to the RVIPF and the Social Development Department for further intervention. Additionally, officials reminded parents that mobile phones are not among the approved devices for use during the school day.

“We are reinforcing a Zero Tolerance Policy for any behavior or possession of items that compromise school safety,” the Ministry stated. “Our goal is to provide a safe and secure learning environment where students can focus on their education without unnecessary disruptions.”

As ESHS moves forward with these new measures, school officials and the Ministry of Education continue to uphold policies aimed at ensuring a structured and secure environment for all students.

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Trevor Hughes, a British Virgin Islands native, was fatally shot, and his fiancée was brutally beaten in a violent dispute over a blocked driveway in the Bronx, authorities said.

Hughes, 49, and his fiancée, 47, had just returned home around 2 a.m. on February 8 when they found a car parked in front of their driveway on Fowler Avenue. After Hughes attempted to resolve the issue by calling 311 and notifying police, the situation escalated. According to authorities, 41-year-old Fallon Wise attacked Hughes’ fiancée, leaving her with multiple facial fractures, including a broken nose and shattered teeth.

During the assault, Hughes was allegedly shot in the abdomen by 46-year-old Lavar Davis. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Davis, who has a history of violent crime, including a prior murder conviction in Schenectady, is charged with second-degree murder. Wise faces charges of assault and harassment.

Hughes, a father of four and a well-known DJ known as DJ Dread, was described as a beloved member of his community. His family expressed devastation, calling the attack “senseless violence over something so petty.”

Both Davis and Wise remain in custody as the investigation continues.