Keon D. Edwards, 32, was arrested Thursday on St. Thomas and faces deportation to Tortola, where he is wanted in connection with a murder.
The arrest as announced Friday by United States Marshal James M. Sullivan.
According to Sullivan, the arrest came after an "intense investigation," in which the marshals worked in cooperation with the Special Investigative Unit of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the Drug Enforcement Agency, FBI, Customs and Border Protection and otr police agencies.
Edwards, a native of St. Vincent who had been living on Tortola, had been sought by the R.V.I.P.F detectives since March 1, when he became primary suspect in the murder of Monroe Thomas Jr. of Tortola. An international warrant of arrest “Red Notice” was issued April 10, alleging that Edwards shot and killed Thomas on the steps of the Club Diplomat in the British Virgin Islands.. A vigorous international investigation has been underway to locate and arrest Edwards throughout the Caribbean chain.
The collaborative effort between the U.S. Marshals, The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Customs and Border Protection led to the development of investigative leads on the island of St. Thomas. U.S. Marshals armed with recent information conducted a number of interviews and it was determined Edwards was in fact on island.
Police believe Edwards fled the B.V.I.’s within hours of the murder.
On Sept. 3, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal David Drake led the early evening apprehension operation along with members of the U.S. Marshals Office, R.V.I.P.F detectives and other agents. Edwards was observed exiting a vehicle and taken into custody without incident in the parking lot of a local hotel and was transported to the U.S. Marshals office for further processing.
Edwards will be brought before a U.S. Magistrate for his initial court appearance as soon as possible. He will be held at the Bureau of Corrections on St. Thomas until which time his immigration status is determined or he is extradited to Tortola to face the murder charge.
