Sept. 4, 2008 — Constitutional Convention delegate, Caribbean heritage advocate and senatorial candidate Kendall "Seigo" Petersen decried a recent federal/local police raid on his family home in Frederiksted as a "vendetta," during a press conference at the Queen Street residence Wednesday.
Petersen's home was raided Aug. 27 by a joint federal/local task force led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. The FBI, the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshal's Office and the V.I. Police Department participated in the raid. (See: "Raid On Peterson Home Nets Drug Evidence.")
Last week, Gene Hawk, resident agent in charge of the DEA, said agents found evidence of cocaine and marijuana distribution but tests must still be made.
Petersen had two dozen or more close family members, neighbors and supporters with him as he spoke to the press.
"The raid that took place here at the Petersen family residence was illegal and was the direct result of a personal vendetta against me carried out by acting St. Croix Police Chief Oakland Benta," Petersen said. "The vendetta began at the Frederiksted Fish Market after a visit by Gov. John deJongh Jr. and after local police officers were ordered to remove Frederiksted residents who frequent the market."
(See: "Protesters Question Police Crackdown at St. Croix Fish Market.")
Since then, Petersen alleged Benta met him at his campaign headquarters, an argument ensued and Benta allegedly threatened to get Petersen back for causing trouble at the fish market. Police picked up and questioned his 14-year-old son without calling the family, Petersen said.
Although Petersen was not present during the raid, some of his children were.
"When asked for a warrant by my daughter, she was clothesline-slammed onto the floor," Petersen said. "The authorities said no one was hurt. That is a lie. Doctors examined my daughter and identified a sprain in her back and prescribed medication and a neck brace for her injury." No warrant was ever shown, he said. His teenage daughter stood next to him wearing a foam cervical collar.
Petersen denies any cocaine was present.
"What they are calling cocaine is medicine I take for my back pain," he said. There was both a white powder and a pill. The powder is a homeopathic drink, he said.
"The only thing they found in my house was my campaign funds, which they took and gave no receipt," he said.
Police broke into an antique safe and broke a 90-year-old door to get in, though the door was unlocked and several people present during the raid knew how to open the safe but were not asked, Petersen said, with door and safe on display.
"I want the people of the Virgin Islands to see the corruption of the Virgin Islands Police Force," he said. "This whole action is a result of the fish market protest. … You go and check my record, then go check Chief Benta's record. Nine and a half years with Prosser, and see who is the real criminal."
The raid was initiated by federal officials operating on a warrant from a federal judge.
Police had little to say on the charges. "This matter is still under investigation by the federal authorities," said V.I. Police Department Public Information Officer Melody Rames. "The VIPD cannot comment on ongoing investigations."
Petersen said he intends to file suit against the police and the attorney general for allegedly interrogating his son and allegedly injuring his daughter. He exhorted his supporters to register to vote and to vote for him in November.
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