Members of the Virgin Islands Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau on Friday apprehended a 29-year-old man wanted for sexually assaulting a minor female, according to the department.
Police said the case began on Jan. 27 when the 911 Emergency Call Center received a report of a sexual assault. Detectives were assigned to investigate, and information gathered indicated that Lerone Smith Jr. had sexually assaulted the victim. Following the investigation, a Superior Court judge signed an arrest warrant on June 5.
Detectives attempted to locate Smith but were unsuccessful. A wanted poster was later distributed through social media and news outlets to assist in his apprehension, according to the police report.
On Friday, officers arrested Smith without incident. He was booked and unable to post his $75,000 bail. He has been charged with second-degree rape and was remanded to the John Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending his Advice of Rights hearing, scheduled for Sept. 29 in Superior Court, the police report said.
A 39-year-old man was arrested Thursday night after Virgin Islands Police Department officers responded to a report of a disturbance on St. Thomas, the department announced.
Police said the incident was reported around 8:21 p.m. by a concerned citizen who told officers they heard a woman screaming for her life. Officers traced the noise to a couple who initially told police they had been arguing verbally, but the dispute escalated into violence.
After interviewing both individuals, officers arrested Rodney Charlien, who was accused of squeezing his girlfriend’s face and repeatedly punching her in the stomach and forearms. Charlien was charged with simple assault, domestic violence, and disturbance of the peace, domestic violence, police said.
The case remains under investigation. Police urged anyone with information to call 911, the Domestic Violence Unit at 340-715-5535, or the Office of the Police Chief.
A Dominican Republic national has been ordered detained pending trial after his arrest on federal drug and immigration charges, acting U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced Friday.
Carlos Alexis Olivares-Taveras, 34, was taken into custody Monday, after Homeland Security Investigations and partner agencies stopped the vehicle he was driving during an immigration enforcement operation on St. Thomas. Agents said they observed a white powdery substance in the driver’s side door panel. A search of the vehicle turned up 11 baggies of cocaine and about $4,000 in cash, the Justice Department said.
According to court documents, Olivares-Taveras admitted during questioning that both the cocaine and the money belonged to him. He also admitted that he entered the United States unlawfully by boat from Tortola to St. John in February 2025 without presenting himself at a lawful port of entry.
Olivares-Taveras has been charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), and with illegal entry into the United States, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1325(a)(1). If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison on the drug charge.
Police on Thursday arrested a 34-year-old man on St. Croix accused of assaulting another man during a domestic incident, the Virgin Islands Police Department announced Friday.
According to the VIPD, officers were dispatched to a residence at about 3:45 p.m., where they found an adult male with visible facial injuries. The victim told officers that Robert Payne Jr. struck him repeatedly in the face and mouth.
Police said Payne admitted to the assault, was advised of his Miranda rights and taken into custody on a charge of simple assault and battery in a domestic violence case. He was transported to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility, where he is being held without bail as required under the domestic violence statute, pending his advice of rights hearing.
The Virgin Islands Police Department announced Friday that officers have arrested a 27-year-old man accused of robbing a King’s Alley business at gunpoint in 2023.
Police said Abdulah Hassan was taken into custody Friday, and charged with robbery in the first degree, using a dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime of violence, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and unauthorized possession of ammunition.
His bail was set at $75,000. He was booked and remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending an advice of rights hearing scheduled for Sept. 29, police said.
According to the VIPD, the charges stem from an Aug. 27, 2023, incident in which a masked man entered a store in King’s Alley, pointed a gun at the cashier and demanded money. The cashier handed over $300 before the man fled westward. Surveillance video collected from nearby businesses identified Hassan as a possible suspect, police said.
Following the investigation, a Superior Court judge signed an arrest warrant for Hassan on Sept. 15, 2025.
The Virgin Islands Deaf & Hard of Hearing Advocates invite the community to Celebrating Deaf Awareness, an afternoon honoring Deaf culture on Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the University of the Virgin Islands 13D Research and Innovation Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.
The event will feature presentations, American Sign Language lessons, tributes and a performance by a Deaf choir. Organizers say the celebration highlights the culture and contributions of deaf and hard-of-hearing residents across the territory.
ASL interpreters will be on site. For additional accommodations, contact Shammi Carr at 340-776-4303 or scarr@drcvi.org.
The Virgin Islands Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advocates is a community group dedicated to expanding access, education, and opportunity for deaf and hard-of-hearing people across the territory.
Eirene E. Canegata a.k.a “Rene” of Estate Cotton Valley transitioned into eternal life on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. She was 80 years old.
Eirene E. Canegata
She was preceded in death by her Mother, Lois A. Canegata; Father, James Cedric Canegata Sr.; Brother, James Cedric Canegata Jr.; Companion, Ignacio Llanos Sr.
She is survived by her Sons, Craig Canegata and Jonathon Coggins; Grandson, Jelani M. Coggins; Sisters, Leah Edel West and Karen L. Parris; Nieces, Kia D. West and Tiffany C. Parris; Nephews, Alfred West III, James C. Canegata III and Ernest Parris II; Great Nieces, Kimoi Woodley and JahLeah Canegata; Aunt, Melba Biggs; Brothers-In-Law, Ernest Parris and Jose P. Encarnacion; Godchild, Robert Rossi; Special Friends, Verna Garcia, St. Mary’s Class of 62, The Schjang Family, Linda Bough, Lowell Dyer, Floyd Henderson, Ulmont “Lenny” James Jr., Gene Stone and Jones Family; Cousin and other relatives, Dodson K. James Sr. (Gerian), Canegata Family, McDonald Family, Motta Family, Webber Family, Biggs Family, Messer Family, Schuster Family, Morales Family, Farchette Family and Lang Family. Other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Christiansted, St. Croix USVI. Viewing will begin at 9:00 am with service at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Christiansted Cemetery.
Professional services are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources is pleased to announce that the Division of Coastal Zone Management, in partnership with Friends of the St. Croix East End Marine Park, will host a Halloween Lantern Craft Day on Saturday, Oct 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Estate Great Pond Park (the former site of Camp Arawak).
A Halloween pumpkin grins spookily. (Source file photo)
The St. Croix East End Marine Park Visitor Center will also be open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., as it is every first Saturday of the month.
Join the East End Marine Park team for a fun and creative day of transforming upcycled water and milk jugs into festive Halloween lanterns for the upcoming Trunk or Treat celebration. We’ll be using acrylic paints, so please dress appropriately for a hands-on painting activity.
Jug donations are welcome and can be dropped off Monday through Friday at the St. Croix East End Marine Park Office.
This free educational event is open to all ages, but RSVP is required as space is limited.
To reserve your spot, contact the Outreach Coordinator at (340) 718-3367 or email stxeempoutreach@dpnr.vi.gov.
You can also sign up directly by searching “Halloween Lantern Craft Day” on Eventbrite.
It is with profound sadness that the family of Jeavon Hilary Sasso announces his passing on Sept. 10, 2025.
Jeavon Hilary Sasso
He was preceded in death by his mother, Merle C. Sasso, his sister, Jo-Anne Hansby-Mendence, Grandfathers, Edmund Sasso, Thomas Francis and Louis Industrious; Grandmothers, Claris Sasso and Pearl Industrious; Uncles, Dexter Sasso and Calvin Industrious; Cousins, Lenea Industrious and Jalique Sasso; Godmother, Ellamay James.
He is survived by his two children, Jaheim Sasso and Jeala-Monee’ Sasso. Father and Stepmother, Hilary Sasso and Shoran D. Caines-Sasso; Brother and Sister-in-law, Chester Benjamin and Denise Benjamin; Life-Partner, Nicole M. Friday; Uncles: Edwin Clark, Louis Industrious, Jr., Claude and James Sasso; Aunts: Myrna P. V. George, Claudette Industrious White, Clacier Industrious, Claris Industrious, Alicia Francis, Vida Ireland, Myrna and Lena Sasso; Aunts-in-law: Judith Industrious, Doris Industrious, Theresa Clark, Risa Andrew-Sasso, Karla Hampton-Sasso; Uncle-in-law, Vernon White Sr.; Great Aunts: Icena Carty, Constancia Turnbull; Great Uncles: Larry Pond, Adolbert Turnbull, Aubrey Turnbull, Leslie Turnbull, Ray Turnbull, Thomas Turnbull; Nieces and Nephews, Anthony Frazer, Sr., Shaquille Richardson, Starlene Nurse, Pierre Nurse, Dominique Brennan, Domonique Grant, Chester Benjamin, III, Davon Ferguson, ZiNier Bryant; Godsons, K’ing Marley Christopher, J’Sai Inniss and David Lawrence; Cousins: Lyle Sasso, Jelani Sasso, Kassandra Sasso, Gladys Ireland, Maxine Sasso, Tyshel Carr, Dynel Sasso, Latrel Sasso, Shawnique Clark Bryant, Chinere Industrious Charles, Doesha Clarke, Halik Clark, Marvin George Jr., Myrshem H. R. George, Anisha Industrious, Ashauna Industrious, Claude Industrious, Djonnai Industrious, Louis Industrious, III, Lovelle Industrious, Nichole Industrious, Shaneil Industrious, Shenika Industrious, Julius Jeffrey, Lamar Jeffrey, Shenell Quailey, Dawn Samuel, Porsha Samuel, Autum White Walters, and Vernon White, Jr.; God Parents, Noreen Bryan and Vincent Selkridge. Special Friends, Davidson Lawrence, Shanicqua Harris, Mahal Knight, Kai Frett, Cary Victoria and Acia Brathwaite; Band Brothers: Tafarai Francis, Jahqueil Lynch, Eric Tavernier, Kamal Tyson. Other relatives, The Sasso, Gumbs, Petty, Lake, Horsford, Mussington, Rogers, Webster, Bryson and Elliot families, Inez Hodge and family and other families and friends too numerous to mention.
Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Blyden Memorial Chapel. Viewing starts at 8 a.m., with the service following at 12 noon. Interment: Western Cemetery III
Arrangements Entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home & Crematory Services
Morrison Horsford, aka “Lion”, passed away on Sept. 3. He was 66 years old.
Morrison Horsford
He was preceded in death by his mother, Gwendolyn Horsford; father, Samuel Horsford; brothers, Ickford, Kensley & Wilbert Marsh, Kenroy Horsford; niece, Sharana Concepcion.
He is survived by his daughters, Teashearn Techiera, Zakiya Techiera; sons, Malachi Horsford, Aleem Techeira; grandchildren, Nadeem, Milayah, Nalijah Davis; sisters, Stehanie Walker, Gean Horsford, Janice Zamudio, Carol Heyward Nicholas, Marilyn (Bernice) Jones; brothers, Novelle Carbon, Bobby Horsford; nieces, Bernadette Cupid, Valarie Gillard Violet, Jessica Horsford, Sandra Samuel, Shavine Montano, Karen, Andrea, Shenel, Tracy Marsh; nephews, Victorino Concepcion, Emile& Carl Heywood, Reginal, Terrol, Sean Marsh, Miguel Alomar, Lamar, Corey, Devoghn Jones, Jecorey Marsh, Richard Carbon; great nieces, Sherisa Warren, Shelisa, Amelia, Sasha; great nephews, Jamal Theodule, LaMar, Ortis, Noah, Norman Jr, Kensley Cupid, Akeem Warren, Brent, Saleem, Delano George, Devoi, Tyler, Emile (Milo) Jr, Elijah; aunts, Jean Burton + Family, Cortinella Morris + Family; brothers-in-law, Ralston Nicholas, Anthony Jones, Pablo Zamudio; sister-in-law, Monica Horsford; godchildren, Shaneka Pennyfeather- Armstrong; cousins and other relatives, Dawn Tonge +Family, Candice, Leona Challenger, Tonge family, Horsford family, Marsh Family, McIntosh Family, Barnard Family; special friends, Zoro +Family, Cirgie Bell, Jinger, Karo, Cinty, Kennedy, Naco, Sica, Shanty, Jojo, Angel’s Charm, Dj Kriss, Esther Williams+ Family, Daphne Edwards+ Family, Bernadette, Alicia, and entire Bingo Family, Coconuts, A+L, Starlight (Party Bingo), Tail End, Angels, Area Code; other precious family and friends too numerous to mention.
Funeral service will be held on Sept. 27, at Calvary Baptist Church (Upper Love). Viewing will begin at 10 a.m., and the service will start at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Frederiksted Cemetery.
Professional services entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
