Crime/Police
Police Sergeant Cleared of All Charges in High-Profile Case
Police Sergeant Lenroy Samuel was acquitted of charges of Obstructing the Course of Justice and Breach of Trust on Tuesday, December 3. Justice Stanley John instructed a jury to deliver not guilty verdicts on both counts, bringing an end to the three-year legal ordeal for the officer.
“You are discharged,” Justice John told Samuel shortly before noon, marking his formal release from the charges that had loomed over him since his 2021 arrest.
The allegations stemmed from a 2020 incident in which Samuel was accused of communicating with a detainee and the detainee’s sister, allegedly resulting in the disappearance of a cellphone belonging to the person in custody. Samuel was arrested nearly a year after the incident.
The trial opened Tuesday morning in the High Court, beginning with the selection of a nine-member jury and two alternates. However, proceedings took a dramatic turn when defense attorney Stephen Daniels argued that evidence central to the prosecution’s case had been improperly obtained.
In a preliminary hearing without the jury present, Daniels contended that the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) had failed to secure warrants for critical evidence, including Samuel’s phone records, CCTV footage, and telecommunications data, from the High Court as required by law. Instead, the warrants had been issued by the Magistrate’s Court, a procedural error that Daniels argued invalidated the evidence.
Senior Crown Counsel Sherman MacNicols, representing the prosecution, conceded the error but urged the court to allow the evidence to stand due to the nature of the allegations. However, Justice John was unpersuaded.
“I don’t think this is a case I can step out of the box,” the judge remarked, rejecting the prosecution’s argument.
The exclusion of the improperly obtained evidence proved decisive. The prosecution admitted they could not proceed without it, as it underpinned testimony from two key witnesses.
With the jury recalled, Justice John explained the circumstances and directed them to return not guilty verdicts on both charges. Samuel, a long-serving officer, walked out of court a free man, with the case against him effectively dismantled.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
Crime/Police
Two Men Arrested in Free Bottom After Police Recover Modified Firearm, Drugs and Ammunition
Dalfree Rodriguez De La Rosa, 22, of Hannah’s Estate, Tortola, and John Harvey, 33, of Purcell Estate, Tortola, were arrested on April 16, after officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) recovered a modified firearm, cannabis and ammunition during a stop-and-check operation in Free Bottom, police said.
According to the RVIPF, officers on patrol conducted the stop and discovered a Glock pistol, a quantity of cannabis and 13 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. The firearm was later identified as a prohibited weapon that had been modified for fully automatic fire.
De La Rosa has been charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply, possession of explosives and possession of a prohibited firearm. Harvey has been charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply.
Acting Commissioner Kenrick Davis, speaking on behalf of the Senior Command Team, commended the officers involved in the operation.
“Their continued professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to duty have significantly contributed to the safety and security of our community,” Davis said.
The RVIPF said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to address illegal firearms and drug-related activity across the Territory.
Six new police vehicles have been added to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) fleet as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen law enforcement capacity in the Territory.
The force stated that the vehicles will support policing operations by improving mobility, response times and visibility across communities in the Virgin Islands.
“These additions form part of our continued efforts to enhance operational capacity and visibility across our communities,” the RVIPF said in a statement.
The vehicles are expected to be deployed on roads throughout the Territory as they begin active patrols in support of law enforcement duties.
The RVIPF also indicated that additional vehicles are expected to arrive in the coming months, further expanding the resources available to officers.
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