Carlos Alexis Olivares-Taveras, 34, a national of the Dominican Republic who told investigators he unlawfully entered the United States from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, has been detained on federal charges of cocaine possession with intent to distribute and illegal entry, Acting U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced, according to a report by the VI Consortium.
Olivares-Taveras was ordered detained Sept. 24, 2025, pending trial or until the defense requests a reopening of his detention hearing. His arrest followed a Sept. 22 operation on St. Thomas by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and partner law enforcement agencies, the VI Consortium reported.
According to court documents, HSI agents stopped a vehicle driven by Olivares-Taveras during an immigration enforcement operation. Agents reported seeing a white powdery substance in the driver’s side door panel. A search uncovered 11 baggies containing a substance that tested positive for cocaine and about $4,000 in U.S. currency.
During an interview, Olivares-Taveras admitted the cocaine and money were his and said he had entered the United States unlawfully in February 2025 by boat from Tortola to St. John without presenting himself at a port of entry, prosecutors said.
He is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), and illegal entry into the United States, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1325(a)(1). The drug charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The case is being investigated by HSI and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant U.S. Attorney Cherrisse R. Amaro is prosecuting.
Authorities noted that a criminal complaint is an allegation and that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
