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Jamaican National Charged with Illegal Reentry in USVI
St. Thomas, USVI – A 71-year-old Jamaican national was arrested and charged with illegal reentry in the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to Acting United States Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett.
Ewart Henry, of Jamaica, made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller after being charged in a criminal complaint with illegal reentry. Henry was detained pending further proceedings, with preliminary and detention hearings set for April 25, 2017.
According to the criminal complaint, Henry presented himself at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) primary inspection checkpoint at the Cyril E. King Airport, St. Thomas, with a ticketed American Airlines flight to Connecticut. However, CBP secondary inspection discovered that Henry is a Jamaican national who was previously deported in 2008 and had not obtained permission to reenter the United States.
Under federal law, if convicted of illegal reentry, Henry faces a maximum sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine. The case is being investigated by CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
Acting United States Attorney Hewlett reminded the public that a criminal complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case has sparked concerns about immigration and border control in the USVI. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has increased its presence at the Cyril E. King Airport, with a focus on detecting and preventing illegal reentry.
As the investigation continues, residents are left wondering about the implications of this case. ‘This is a serious offense that undermines the integrity of our immigration system,’ said a local community leader. ‘We need to take a closer look at our immigration policies and ensure that those who are here illegally are held accountable.’
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Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Category: Human Trafficking|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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