ST. THOMAS, USVI – A former St. Thomas resident has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for his role in a cocaine smuggling scheme, authorities announced.
Rhasheel Charles, 30, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine on January 31, 2017. According to the plea agreement, Charles was caught attempting to transport 3.55 kilograms of cocaine on an American Airlines flight bound for Miami, Florida.
Charles’s plan was thwarted when a Customs and Border Protection canine alerted authorities to the drugs in his luggage. The case has been investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigrid Tejo-Sprotte handling the prosecution.
The court also ordered Charles to pay a $100 special assessment and complete 400 hours of community service upon his release from prison, which will be followed by five years of supervised release.
United States District Judge Curtis V. Gomez presided over the sentencing hearing. The sentence handed down today is part of a continued effort by federal authorities to crack down on drug trafficking in the Virgin Islands and beyond.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by drug trafficking and the lengths individuals will go to avoid detection, according to Acting United States Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett. The public is reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to local law enforcement.
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Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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