⏱ 2 min read
A 34-year-old Romanian man, Beni Lacatusu, was caught by Homeland Security Investigations agents on December 11, 2025, near the Nisky Center in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Lacatusu, who had been deported twice before, admitted to being in the US illegally. His prior convictions include credit card theft and fraud in New Jersey, as well as five outstanding warrants across four states.
Lacatusu’s history of crime dates back to June 21, 2019, and July 4, 2025, when he was deported from New York. He was also convicted of Illegal Re-entry in New Jersey on June 6, 2025. The case was investigated by HSI and prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands.
On June 25, 2026, Chief US District Court Judge Robert A. Molloy sentenced Lacatusu to 15 months in prison for his latest offense. The sentence reflects the seriousness of Lacatusu’s repeated disregard for US immigration laws and his history of criminal activity.
The investigation and prosecution of Lacatusu’s case demonstrate the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat illegal re-entry and other crimes in the US Virgin Islands. The collaboration between HSI, ICE, and the US Attorney’s Office has resulted in a significant sentence for Lacatusu, sending a strong message to those who would attempt to evade US immigration laws.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Organized Crime
- Defendant: US Virgin Islands
- Location: VI
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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