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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Kettle Corn Employee Facing Up to 10 Years

V.I. Magistrate Court Judge Carolyn Hermon-Percell found probable cause to hold over 25 year-old Tameka Ward on charges of forgery and obtaining money under false pretenses.

No mention was made at Friday’s advice of rights hearing of where the money came from or how much was allegedly embezzled, but according to government attorneys the charges are heavy enough to land Ward in jail for as long as 10 years for the forgery charge and another 10 for the charge of obtaining money under false pretenses.

Ward was released Friday on a $10,000 unsecured bond after her attorneys said she would not have the resources to put up even the standard 10 percent of the recommended amount. Attorneys said Ward has had no previous run-ins with the law, has strong ties to the community and poses no immediate threat to herself or others.

Along with the unsecured bond, Hermon-Percell ordered that Ward surrender her travel documents, stay within the district, maintain her employment at V.I. Kettle Popcorn, and not violate any other federal or local laws. Ward’s mother would serve as her third-party custodian.

Ward’s arraignment hearing was set for 9 a.m. Jan. 22.

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