Jamhila Hodge, 24, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal district court on St. Thomas to one count of production of child pornography, according to the office of United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe.
According to the plea agreement, Hodge admitted using a cell phone to record a seven-minute video of an adult male engaging in sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old female. She was arrested in April 2012 and charged in a five-count indictment with two counts of production of child pornography, two counts of possession of child pornography, and aiding and abetting second-degree aggravated rape.
Codefendant Calieb Webster, 30, was charged with one count of production of child pornography and second-degree aggravated rape. Webster’s trial is scheduled for Tuesday.
Hodge also pleaded guilty July 26 in federal district court on St. Croix to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Webster pleaded guilty Monday in federal district court on St. Croix to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
Both Hodge and Webster, who were traveling together, were arrested in February 2012 on St. Croix when they presented themselves for preclearance inspection at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport prior to boarding a flight to New York via Miami. According to the plea agreement, approximately 80 pounds, or 36.6 kilograms, of cocaine was found in their luggage.
Hodge faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison on the charge of producing child pornography and 10 years mandatory minimum on the drug charge. Sentencing for Hodge has been set for Oct. 24 on the child pornography charge and Oct. 31 on the drug charge.
Webster faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison on the drug charge. Sentencing for Webster has been set for Nov. 7 on the drug charge.
The arrest of Webster and Hodge for production of child pornography is part of Homeland Security Investigations’ Operation Predator, a nationwide initiative to identify, investigate and arrest those who sexually exploit children. As part of Operation Predator, HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-347-2423.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children can be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or online at http://www.cybertipline.com.
The child pornography case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter. The drug case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry.
Joining in the announcement of Wednesday’s plea were the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Angel Melendez and V.I. Police Commissioner Rodney Querrard.
