Field operations officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the U.S. Virgin Islands identified three individuals with active outstanding warrants for their arrest at the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas during three separate pre-departure inspections, the agency reported Tuesday.
On Oct. 27, Brian Paul Wildschuetz, 30, presented himself for pre-departure inspections on his way to board a flight destined to Atlanta. According to CBP, system queries showed him to be the subject of an active warrant from Bibb County Sheriff’s Office in Macon, Ga. The offense listed on the warrant was contempt of court – traffic offense.
St. Thomas CBP officers contacted Atlanta CBP and arranged for them to meet the subject upon arrival in Atlanta. CBP then transferred his custody to the Atlanta Police Department for processing.
On Oct. 29, Shusta Gumbs, 37, a resident of Atlanta, was on his way to Georgia when law enforcement databases alerted officers to an outstanding warrant for his arrest during his pre-departure inspection process. Gumbs had a full-extradition warrant for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute out of Fulton County, Ga.
Arrangements were made for Atlanta CBP officers to detain Gumbs upon arrival at the Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. CBP in Atlanta contacted Fulton County Sheriffs, who arrived on the scene and took custody of Gumbs for extradition.
Another active warrant was discovered that same day during pre-departure inspections of a flight destined to New York. Jack Diaz, 41, was the subject of an active warrant out of New York for driving under the influence charges.
CBP officers at the John F. Kennedy International Airport were contacted and agreed to meet him upon arrival. His custody was transferred to the New York Port Authority Police Department for further processing.
Vinroy Douglas, acting port director for the St. Thomas area, said the actions attest to the diligence and vigilance of the officers assigned in the USVI.
“Our officers continually strive in their quest to secure the borders while facilitating travel for law abiding citizens," Douglas said. "We will not stop in our efforts to safeguard America’s borders while enabling legitimate travel and trade.”
