The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF)  have charged Drew Farrell, 42, of The Valley, Virgin Gorda, in connection with a fatal stabbing that claimed the life of Rasheel Thomas Alexander.

Farrell who remains in police custody is expected to appear before the Magistrate’s Court in the coming days.

The charge follows an ongoing investigation into the stabbing incident, which has drawn significant public attention. Police have not yet disclosed details surrounding the circumstances of the attack.

Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward. Tips can be provided to the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 800-8477. International callers can reach Crime Stoppers at (284) 800-8477.

Oleanvine Maynard, the former director of the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority, was released from federal custody in the United States on Friday, having served just under two years of her nine-year sentence for drug-related offences.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) confirmed that she is no longer listed as “In Custody” but provided no explanation for the March 21 early release.

Maynard, 63, had been serving her sentence at the Baltimore Residential Reentry Management Centre (RRM) following her conviction in June 2023 for her involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy orchestrated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Her son, Kadeem Stephan Maynard, 33, who was convicted alongside her, is also due for release soon—on 6th April. Currently held at the Miami Federal Detention Centre (FDC), Kadeem was sentenced to 57 months but will serve just over two years, having pleaded guilty in 2023.

The mother and son duo had struck a deal with the DEA to secure reduced sentences. However, the exact circumstances surrounding their early release remain unclear.

In the U.S. federal system, sentence reductions are not uncommon and can occur for a variety of reasons, including significant assistance with ongoing investigations or participation in rehabilitative programmes.

The female Maynard was the star witness in the prosecutions’ case against former Premier of the British Virgin Islands, Andrew Alturo Fahie, convicted in February 2024 on charges of conspiracy to import cocaine and money laundering.

Yet, without official confirmation from authorities, the precise nature of Maynard’s release remains speculative.

Meanwhile, Fahie remains incarcerated at Jesup Federal Correctional Institution (FCI). His release date is set for May 30, 2033, and his case continues to attract global attention.

As Oleanvine Maynard prepares to reintegrate into society, public interest turns to what her next steps will be and how her return will be received.

Maynard, her son Kadeem, and ex-Premier Fahie were arrested in April 2022 during a U.S. DEA sting operation in Miami, Florida. The case stemmed from an undercover investigation in which DEA agents, posing as members of the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, approached the officials with an offer to facilitate the trafficking of thousands of kilograms of cocaine through the British Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland.

Testimony from the agents revealed that Fahie and the Maynards had agreed to assist in the drug shipments in exchange for bribes amounting to millions of dollars. Court documents also disclosed that Oleanvine Maynard was happy to play a central role in the operation, referring to the opportunity as her “blessing.”

The arrests raised serious concerns about government corruption and links to drug trafficking within the territory, a region heavily dependent on tourism.

Oleanvine Maynard’s early release continues to stir debate both within the territory and internationally.

Premier Wheatley expressed deep concern over the rise in crime and violence in the Territory, particularly the recent armed robbery of renowned artist Pressure by a group of young individuals.

Popular U.S. Virgin Islands artist, Pressure, was robbed at gunpoint early Sunday morning, March 16, after performing at the Black on Black concert, an event headlined by dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel. The incident occurred as Pressure and his entourage walked to their vehicle parked across from First Bank.

Surveillance footage obtained by JTV confirms the robbery, which took place around 3:26 am. The video, now in circulation, captures the moment two armed men exited a white SUV parked in front of the gated parking lot opposite First Bank. The assailants confronted Pressure and his entourage, causing most of the group to flee. One of the attackers then proceeded to rob Pressure, appearing to take what looked like his jewelry, before escaping the scene.

The entire incident lasted about two minutes, after which the video ends with Pressure standing alone by the vehicle he was originally entering, appearing shaken but unharmed as the assailants made their getaway.

“It is unacceptable and highly regrettable that he and others went through this,” the Premier stated. “Crime and violence are not what we want as a society and certainly not the image we want to project to the world.”

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has confirmed that the past weekend was particularly active in terms of criminal activity.

Premier Wheatley reiterated the government’s commitment to working with law enforcement and the wider community to curb criminal activities. A Crime Summit is currently being planned to develop a coordinated response.

“For those individuals who insist on terrorising our community, the police will continue to pursue you vigorously,” he warned. “I also urge members of the public to assist law enforcement by sharing any information that may aid investigations.”