Following a one-day trial, a federal jury on St. Thomas convicted Michael Hendrickson, 28, Wednesday for possession of prison contraband, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C. F. Shappert announced.
Two other Bureau of Corrections inmates, Gamba Potter, 33, and K’Moi Corraspe, 24, recently pleaded guilty to similar charges.
“Contraband cell phones in correctional facilities create a security threat for correctional officers, others prisoners, and potential witnesses,” Shappert said. “Contraband phones can be used by inmates to conduct criminal activities and threaten the well-being of persons housed in the facility and on the street. Possession of these items is a federal offense.”
According to trial testimony, on March 14 a Bureau of Corrections sergeant conducted a routine pat-down of Hendrickson as he entered a restricted area within the Alexander Farrelly Justice Complex. The officer identified a hard object concealed in the inmate’s clothing. The officer removed the item and discovered that it was a cellular telephone.
Cellular telephones are prohibited items by the Bureau of Corrections and inmates are forbidden from possessing them under federal law.
Gamba and Corraspe entered guilty pleas to the same charge, possessing cellular telephones while inmates. Potter entered his guilty plea on Nov. 6 and Corraspe entered his guilty plea Oct. 31.
The defendants each face a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. The date for Hendrickson’s sentencing is scheduled for March 21. Sentencing for Potter is set for Dec. 20, 2018 and Corraspe will be sentenced Jan. 9.
These cases were investigated by the FBI, the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections. They are all being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Everard E. Potter.
