B Scott Bass Pleads Guilty to Prison Contraband Scheme

St. Croix, USVI – B Scott Bass, 43, has been hit with a heavy charge after pleading guilty to providing contraband in prison, according to Acting United States Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett.

The grim details emerged that on May 18, 2016, Bass visited the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility, intent on delivering personal items to detainee Robert James. But Bass had more than just hair and scalp conditioner in mind; he carried two small containers of Africa’s Best Super Gro Hair and Scalp Conditioner.

However, a corrections officer halted him, stating that the detainee was only allowed one container. With one left behind, Bass fled with the second, only to have a correctional officer discover marijuana, hashish, and tobacco hidden in a secret compartment when they inspected it.

Bass was quickly detained and the second container was recovered as well, revealing more contraband including marijuana and bamboo wrapping paper. The scheme was soon unravelled, leading to Bass’s arraignment on federal charges.

Now, Bass stands to face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a substantial fine of $250,000. His sentencing date is set for August 2, 2017, a date that will likely loom large over this island community.

The case against Bass was a collaborative effort between the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections, the Virgin Islands Police Department, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, with Assistant United States Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry leading the prosecution.