Justice Department agents arrested a St. Croix man for leaving crucial information off his most recent registry as a sex offender, according to a statement from the Justice Department Tuesday.
Alan Motta, 43, a Tier 3 registered offender, failed to update his address with the Virgin Islands Justice Department in May. An arrest warrant was issued July 17 and, on Friday, Motta was caught, according to the statement.
Motta was convicted of the Sept. 12, 2001 robbery and attempted rape of a Water and Power Authority meter reader in Estate Mary’s Fancy. Motta held the woman at gunpoint as his alleged accomplice attempted to rip off the victim’s clothing, according to court records. She was saved by her ringing mobile phone, which she said was a supervisor coming to check up on her.
Motta almost immediately challenged his conviction in 2002, saying he had been treated unfairly at trial — partially because the victim fainted in the courtroom, according to court records. Superior Court Presiding Judge Maria Cabret disagreed and ordered the conviction stand. Court records from 2002 were incomplete online.
Virgin Islands law requires Motta to tell Justice Department officials where he lives, where he works, and other personal information every three months for the rest of his life.
Motta could be sentenced to as much as two years in prison and a $5,000 fine for failing to register, according to the Justice Department.
