Eduardo Javier Reyes, Immigration Offenses, Virgin Islands 2024
Two men, Eduardo Javier Reyes of the Dominican Republic and Arturo Serrano Arizmendi of Puerto Rico, were arrested on Saturday for immigration-related offenses in the United States Virgin Islands.
According to court records, Customs and Border Protection interdicted a vessel traveling from St. Thomas towards Savannah Islands on Friday evening without navigational lights. On board the vessel were the captain, Arturo Serrano Arizmendi, and the five illegal aliens, identified as Eduardo J. Reyes, Elaine de Moura, Viener Dos Santos, Cairo G. Ferreira, and Ronaldo Alves.
Arizmendi was charged with transporting illegal aliens, while Reyes and de Moura were charged with entering the United States without inspection. Santos, Ferreira, and Alves were charged with reentering the United States after prior deportations.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter.
United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert reminded the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Eduardo Javier Reyes, defendant, faces charges of entering the United States without inspection; his status is currently pending.
This incident occurred on Friday, June 7th, and the arrest took place on Saturday, June 8th. The case began with an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller on Monday, June 10th.
St. Thomas, USVI - Eduardo Javier Reyes of the Dominican Republic and Arturo Serrano Arizmendi of Puerto Rico appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller for an initial appearance after their arrest on Saturday for immigration-related offenses, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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