Four men from the Ralph de Chabert housing community have been indicted by a federal grand jury for a December drive-by shooting that wounded a 6-year-old boy.
The alleged gunmen, Marciano Matta Ayala, 28, Frank Wilson, 28, and Carlos Martinez, 29, were apparently aiming for Eddie Martinez, Lucien Spencer and Raheem Christian as they walked through the JFK housing community on Dec. 18, 1999. The gunmen were attempting to avenge the Christiansted murder of Angel Felix about a week before.
Along with wounding the 6-year-old, two adult males were also hit by shots fired from a sawed-off shotgun.
Also charged was Raymond Jarvis, 31, who is accused of aiding and abetting the three gunmen. Jarvis and the gunmen were charged Tuesday with attempted first-degree murder, firearm possession, discharging a gun in a school zone and aiding and abetting.
Because the attempted murder took place in the vicinity of an elementary school, federal prosecutors will handle the case. Wilson, Martinez and Ayala face up to 155 years in prison and $272,000 in fines. Jarvis faces 77 years in prison and $136,000 in fines.
According to the V.I. Daily News, Jarvis turned state's witness and has been in protective custody. The men are scheduled for an advice-of-rights hearing on Thursday in District Court.
