As work on the Downtown Charlotte Amalie Drainage Project on St. Thomas continues, the
Department of Public Works advises the community of an upcoming four-day road closure on Crystal Gade.
Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, November 19, PW Contractor–Island Roads Inc., will begin to pour concrete on a segment of the roadway. Vehicles traveling Northbound on Nye Gade will not be allowed to turn left onto Crystal Gade. Motorist are encouraged to use alternate routes and follow detours while work is in progress.
The Department of Public Works appreciates the community’s patience as it works to improve road conditions throughout the territory.
On Feb. 28, 2023, the Economic Crimes Unit of the Virgin Islands Police Department began investigating a complaint filed by a victim whose name is being withheld regarding their credit cards fraudulently being used, the V.I. Police Department reported.
The investigation revealed that between March and August 2022, D’nique Heyliger used the victim’s Mastercard to make unauthorized purchases at Frenchtown Deli, Amazon, and Etsy, totaling over $6,000, according to the police report.
On Oct. 2, an arrest warrant was issued for Heyliger, with bail set at $20,000. On Nov. 17, Heyliger, 36, turned herself in at the Economic Crime Unit. She was formally arrested and charged with fraudulent use of credit card and grand larceny, the police report stated.
Unable to post bail at the time of the arrest, she was turned over to the Bureau of Corrections pending her advice of rights hearing, it said.
On Monday, at approximately 11:49 PM, St. Croix 911 received a call reporting a single-vehicle accident on Peter’s Triangle Road. The victim, Alric Davila, was found slumped over in his vehicle after it collided with a wall, the V.I. Police Department reported.
Preliminary investigation indicates that Davila, 31, was driving a silver Ford Fiesta westbound at a high rate of speed when he lost control and struck a wall near a residence. He was not wearing a seatbelt, according to the police report.
Emergency Medical Services pronounced Davila deceased at the scene. Next of kin confirmed his identity, the police report stated.
The Traffic Investigation Bureau, St. Croix district, is investigating this case, it said.
Nicole Morales, 48, of Altadena, CA, and native of St. Croix, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson III to three counts of Wire Fraud. The sentencing in this matter is scheduled for March 19, 2025, where Morales faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Monday.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
According to court records, on November 10, 2015, Morales began working as the Office
Manager at Nichols, Newman, Logan, Grey, and Lockwood, P.C. in St. Croix, where her duties included processing payroll through Banco Popular. Beginning on December 31, 2015, Morales began fraudulently inflating her payroll using QuickBooks accounting software. Thereafter, Morales wired unauthorized funds from her employer’s Banco Popular account into three separate personal bank accounts owned by Morales. After transferring the funds, Morales would change the inflated amounts in QuickBooks to reflect her correct income and payroll figures. Morales would later generate reports in QuickBooks with the correct payroll figures, which were approved by her employer. Morales continued this conduct until January 11, 2019. In total, Morales embezzled $372,496.34 from her employer.
Rodney Dennis de Roche, 39, of Grenada, was sentenced by District Judge Wilma A. Lewis to 37 months imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute while on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Monday.
According to court records, on November 14, 2023, during their patrol in international
waters in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, approximately 116 nautical miles West of Fort de France, Martinique, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Diligence intercepted the motor vessel Jackie Boy in a known drug trafficking area, bearing no indicia of nationality. The Jackie Boy was non-compliant with commands from the Coast Guard to stop and the occupants of the vessel, including de Roche, Adel Munro, Arim Boniface, alias Arkim Boniface, Dave Compton, Kevin Francis and Darryl Pope, began jettisoning numerous packages tied to sandbags overboard. Coast Guard officers later retrieved approximately 32 kilograms of cocaine from the ocean and six occupants, including de Roche, were taken into custody.
The master of the vessel claimed Grenadian nationality for the vessel, and Grenadian officials confirmed its nationality and granted a waiver of jurisdiction, thereby subjecting this matter to the jurisdiction of the United States. All six defendants pleaded guilty to the cocaine trafficking conspiracy. On August 28, 2024, Reinoza was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment and is awaiting sentencing.
A bomb threat briefly closed Lockhart K-8 School. The Virgin Islands Police Department determined it to be a fraudulent threat.
The school resumed operations after responding to the threat.
The incident began with a call shortly after 10:30 Monday morning indicating a potential bomb
threat to the school campus.
Immediately upon receiving this information, school officials promptly contacted 911 and initiated
evacuation and security procedures. In accordance with safety protocols, students were safely
escorted to the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital parking lot to ensure their well-being.
Subsequently, the Virgin Islands Police Department conducted a sweep of the campus to
identify any potential threats. After their inspection and finding no evidence of any danger on the
premises, the VIPD granted the “all clear” signal. The Lockhart K-8 School has now resumed
operations, providing assurance that all students, faculty, and staff are secure.
The incident is under further investigation by the Virgin Islands Police Department to ascertain the
specific details and circumstances surrounding the reported bomb threat. Students are reminded of the seriousness of making any kind of threats that could compromise the safety of fellow students and school personnel.
The Virgin Islands Department of Education expresses gratitude to the VIPD for their ongoing
collaborative efforts in effectively addressing incidents on school campuses
The Department of Public Works is alerting the community of an upcoming road closure this week as part of the Clifton Hill Connector Road Project on St. Croix.
Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. the traffic signals at the Clifton Hill Intersection on Melvin Evans Highway (Route 66) will be de-energized and the road will be closed while work is in progress. The outage is necessary for PW contractor — Grace Civil LLC.— to transfer the wiring for the signals, detection system and power from the old signal controller to the new signal controller system.
The traveling public is urged to avoid this area while the electrical crews from Grace Civil and the Water and Power Authority are at work. Motorists will be detoured from Route 663 to the Diageo Intersection on Route 66 and to the Kingshill Intersection on Route 70. Please observe and follow the directions of the contractor’s flagging personnel. As mentioned previously, road closures will occur periodically in this area until Dec. 18.
The Department of Public Works appreciates the community’s patience as they work to improve road conditions throughout the territory.
Sen. Samuel Carrión, the primary sponsor of the initiative to construct steel roofs over Virgin Islands basketball courts, joined residents and community leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for the roof construction at Estate Profit. This landmark project marks a transformative step towards strengthening our recreational infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for the youth and families of St. Croix.
“Today’s groundbreaking is more than a construction milestone; it represents our commitment to investing in our communities and in our young people,” Senator Carrión said. “With this project, we’re not only enhancing local amenities, but also building a foundation where young athletes can thrive, and our families and neighbors can gather in a safe, welcoming environment.”
The construction of a roof over the basketball court will turn the facility into an all-weather venue, offering year-round access for athletes, youth, and community members. This enhancement will enable the court to serve as a community hub for activities and gatherings, aligning with Senator Carrión’s broader vision of strengthening community resources and expanding opportunities for youth and families across the Virgin Islands.
Sen. Carrión was joined by Senate President Novelle Francis Jr., Sen. Angel Bolques, and keynote speaker Judge Emile E. Henderson III, along with other community members in support of the project. The Estate Profit Basketball Court will be the first court that is completed.
This project is part of a larger vision to cover basketball courts throughout the Territory, creating spaces that promote health, unity, and recreation. By supporting projects that directly serve the community, Senator Carrion is hoping to help to build more resilient and supportive environments for all Virgin Islanders.
Sen. Carrión worked closely with the Eddie Ortiz Annual Three Kings Tradition, Inc., whose dedication and partnership were instrumental to the project’s success. He expressed his gratitude for their steadfast commitment to advancing this community initiative, recognizing the positive impact it will have on the Estate Profit area and beyond.
Sen. Carrion said he got the idea to cover the territory’s courts when he noted that many outdoor basketball courts in Puerto Rico had steel roof coverings.
The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority informs the community of delays in house-to-house waste collection in the following areas due to inclement weather:
• Estate Grove
• Estate Plessen
• Estate Cane (Behind of the Sunshine Mall)
• Mount Pleasant
• Paradise
• Frederiksted Town
• Adventure
• Diamond West
Collection services for these areas are expected to be completed as soon as possible. We
apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and rely on your cooperation as we are
working to resume our regular service schedule.
For more information, contact the Division of Education and Communications Management
at 340-474-2811 or email communications@viwma.org. Stay connected with us on
Family and friends are advised of the passing of Maurice Todman. Maurice was preceded in death by his parents, Jureen Francis Todman and Jens Todman, and his brother Jens E. Todman.
Maurice Todman
He is survived by his wife Griselda Mieses Luis Todman; sister, Monique Todman Matthews, sister-in-law Cheryl Todman; aunts: Iris Frett Chinnery and Gladys Todman; uncle: Guillermo Todman; nieces Nikysha Mariah and Aniqua Mone Matthews, Jennelye and Jennell Todman; nephews: Will Smith and Jecoi Todman; great-niece Jeleah Cargill; great-nephew: Jason Cargill; niece-in-law: Shelby Moss Todman
He is also survived by cousins: Janice Hodge, Jacquelyn Thomas, Joan Frett, Joycelyn Frett, Jedwyn Frett, Arrick Todman, Orville Todman, Carmen Turnbull, Delia Todman, WillaMae Dawson, Darrel Dawson, Denise Dawson, Moretta Dawson Fahie, Laurel Dawson, Jennifer Dawson, Elwyn Dawson, Patrice Joshua, Paulette Joshua, Patricia Joshua, Michelle Joshua, Mona Francis, Laverne Francis, Michelle Francis, Dale Francis, Vance Francis, Keith Francis, Anthony Petersen, Lydia Duran Jackson, Nanette Duran, Michelle S. Francis, Celina Francis, Terry Francis, Faye Francis, Michael Haynes, and Earl Haynes Jr.
Maurice’s cherished friends include Jay Blash, Lincoln Gumbs, Robby Gregory, Royce Wallace, Kesia King, Simone Letang Freeman and Julia Benjamin, and many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
The first viewing will take place at Turnbull’s Funeral Home on Friday, Nov. 22 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. A second viewing will be held at the Cathedral Church of All Saints on Monday, Nov. 25 beginning at 9 a.m. with the service to follow at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at Western Cemetery #1. Arrangements have been entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home.
