Vance Monsanto Jr., a 23-year-old St. Thomas man wanted on murder charges in the territory, was arrested Thursday morning in Bridgeport, Conn., by FBI agents working with local police.
Monsanto has been wanted in connection with the July 1997 shooting of
Wayne Christopher following an argument near the wreck shop in Mariendahl. Uon his extradition to the territory, Monsanto will likely face first-degree murder and illegal weapons possession charges.
He had been on the run since last August when major crime detectives on St. Thomas obtained a warrant for his arrest.
Monsanto was arrested by an FBI Fugitive Task Force that acted on information that he was residing at an apartment complex in Bridgeport. He is expected to appear before a Superior Court judge for an initial hearing on extradition in the days ahead, according to criminal justice officials in Connecticut. In the Virgin Islands, prosecutors don't foresee any problems in having Monsanto returned to face murder and weapons charges.
The arrest Thursday marked the third time in a month that suspects wanted on murder charges have been arrested in other jurisdictions.
