DNR Officer, Crew Face Life for 261 Kilo Cocaine Scheme

ST. THOMAS, USVI – A Department of Planning and Natural Resources officer is among four men indicted on federal charges stemming from a massive cocaine smuggling conspiracy that spanned over six years, Acting United States Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett announced today. The indictment reveals a network allegedly responsible for moving at least 261 kilograms of cocaine through the Virgin Islands.

Gerald Mercer, 42, a current officer with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Jamal Haynes, 39, Makimba Barry, 39, and Craig Richardson, 39, were all named in the May 18, 2017, federal grand jury indictment, charging them with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Mercer appeared before Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller on Friday and was placed on home detention with a $75,000 cash bond pending trial. Richardson, meanwhile, remains detained pending a detention hearing Wednesday. Barry and Haynes were previously arrested and are also being held without bail.

The indictment details two overlapping conspiracies. From approximately January 1, 2011, through December 15, 2014, Mercer, Barry, and Neal Chesterfield allegedly conspired to move 125 kilograms of cocaine. Then, from December 15, 2014, through September 3, 2016, Richardson, Barry, and Haynes allegedly joined forces, attempting to distribute another 136 kilograms. Chesterfield, previously the bodyguard for Governor Kenneth Mapp, has already pleaded guilty to an Information on December 6, 2016, and is currently awaiting sentencing while detained.

Federal investigators have been building this case for some time, with the operation falling under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The multi-agency task force, comprised of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, focuses on dismantling major drug trafficking organizations. This particular investigation highlights the reach of these groups and the lengths they go to exploit vulnerable territories like the USVI.

If convicted on the conspiracy charge, each of the four men faces a daunting potential sentence: a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment. They also face a maximum fine of $10 million. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Delia Smith, who is expected to present evidence linking the defendants to the substantial quantities of cocaine allegedly trafficked through the islands.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it progresses through the legal system. The indictment serves as a stark reminder of the persistent drug trade impacting the Virgin Islands and the ongoing efforts to combat it. The involvement of a public official – a Department of Planning and Natural Resources officer – adds another layer of concern, raising questions about potential corruption within the local government and the effectiveness of internal oversight.