Dear Source:
Judge D'Eramo recently modified his order and placed some restrictions on the order allowing Tydel John, a man charged with serious sexual crimes against children, to visit the States, unattended, to attend graduation ceremonies at a school he has never been to, to receive a diploma for a course of study that he completed online. Am I the only person who thinks this is idiocy? A Virgin Island's Judge is allowing a man charged with multiple counts of crimes against children, possibly facing many, many years behind bars if found guilty, to travel alone to the Mainland.
The judge's restrictions require Mr. John to "check in" as soon as he arrives in Arizona. Further, the local Arizona police are expecting him…Am I the only person to think that Mr. John will never arrive at his destination and that when we eventually find out, he will be long gone? Would you gamble that a group of jurrs will find you not guilty and set you free, if you were in his position? I don't think so. Does this place the Judge in a suspicious light? Why s the Judge allowing this? This is a slap in the face to every young girl he allegedly victimized. It is an injustice to Virgin Islanders and Statesiders, if this man should flee before his trial. He has nothing to lose if he doesn't return. He is out on an unsecured bond. He still has his passport. Now, he is looking for a way to get off island and disappear.
Wouldn't it be prudent to keep a man facing these charges within arms reach prior to his trial? If he is innocent, he can go to his graduation exercises after his trial. If he is found guilty, history will say we were prudent in our decision to keep close tabs on Mr. John. There is no upside to letting this man leave. There are only problems.
Dr. Manuel A. da Motta
St. Croix
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