Osvaldo Tavarez, 48, of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty Tuesday in District Court to one count of transporting a minor for illegal sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
Tavarez appeared before before Judge Curtis Gomez.
According to court documents, on or around Jan. 30 Tavarez transported a minor child in the household, then 13 years old, from an area in Bovoni to an area in Mariendahl, and performed an act of sexual intercourse with the minor which would amount to first-degree aggravated rape under Virgin Islands law.
Tavarez faces a minimum sentence of 10 year incarceration and a maximum sentence of life. He also faces a minimum period of supervised release of five years and a maximum supervised release of life. In addition, Tavarez faces a maximum fine of $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 28.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Virgin Islands Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Everard E. Potter.
