Two separate incidents occurred this week involving the smuggling of illegal immigrants into the United States. Two British Virgin Islands men have been arrested and charged, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Friday.
Shamoy Frett, 22, of Tortola, BVI, was charged with bringing illegal immigrants to the United States for private financial gain, according to the press release. A second man, Kamoy King, also from Tortola, was arrested and charged on Thursday on the same charge, the press release stated.
According to court documents, on Aug. 28, around 9 p.m., U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations agents were patrolling the United States when they observed a vessel allegedly operated by Frett crossing the international border from the British Virgin Islands into the United States territory.
The boat did not display any navigational lights as required by law. Agents later observed it travel to Haulover Bay, where four individuals exited the vessel and headed up the Haulover Bay trailhead. The vessel then departed Haulover Bay and headed back towards Tortola. Agents attempted to stop the vessel by activating their blue lights and sirens, but Frett accelerated the vessel and failed to comply, according to court documents. Agents then disabled the vessel, forcing it to come to a stop. Frett jumped overboard and attempted to escape but was arrested a short time later, the press release stated. When questioned by agents, Frett allegedly admitted that he was paid $1,000 by a man in Tortola to smuggle the four illegal aliens to St. John.
On Aug. 30, at about 9 p.m., U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations agents were patrolling United States waters when they observed a vessel allegedly operated by King enter Haulover Bay, St. John.
The vessel did not display any navigational lights as required by law. Agents attempted to stop it by activating their blue police lights and sirens, but King refused to stop the vessel, according to court documents. He eventually complied after agents fired flare warning shots and he was taken into custody.
U.S. Border Patrol agents stationed at the Haulover Bay trail later discovered four illegal immigrants hiding on the beach, the press release stated. Neither King nor the four individuals found on the beach could produce any legal documentation that authorized their presence in the United States, it said.
