St. Thomas, USVI – In a shocking turn of events, former Director of Environmental Enforcement Roberto Tapia, 55, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for using the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) as a criminal enterprise to engage in illegal drug trafficking activities.
The sentence was handed down by District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez, who acknowledged the severity of Tapia’s crimes. Tapia’s guilty plea on September 19, 2013, marked a significant turning point in the investigation, which was conducted by the Federal Public Corruption Task Force.
The task force, comprising the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Virgin Islands Police Department, and other agencies, had been investigating Tapia and six other defendants since 2013. The investigation culminated in Tapia’s arrest on May 17, 2013, while he was in possession of seven kilograms of cocaine.
Tapia’s crimes were described by U.S. Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe as ‘egregious’ and a ‘sad day’ for law enforcement. Sharpe emphasized the importance of targeting public corruption and individuals who undermine the public trust.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly B. Lake, who worked closely with the task force to build a robust case against Tapia and his co-defendants. The indictment and plea marked a significant victory for law enforcement and the community, who had been affected by Tapia’s actions.
Tapia’s sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in illegal activities, particularly when those individuals hold positions of power and trust. The sentence serves as a warning to others who may consider similar actions.
As the investigation continues, the community can take heart in knowing that law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to root out corruption and bring perpetrators to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Public Corruption|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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