A St. Thomas man with a long criminal record was sentenced to five years in federal prison for helping to haul 210 kilograms of cocaine off of Vessup Bay Beach in November 2021. The sentencing of defendant Russell Robinson, 57, follows his March 15 conviction for drug trafficking conspiracy.
Chief District Judge Robert Molloy added 10 years of supervised release to Robinson’s sentence at a hearing held Wednesday on St. Thomas. Lawyers with the U.S. Attorney’s Office made the case at trial for conviction based on aerial surveillance footage and statements by police and federal agents who pursued the defendant in a high-speed chase from the pickup point across St. Thomas to Hull Bay on the island’s north side.
A second defendant — Trevor Stephen — arrested at the end of the chase is currently serving a 37-month sentence in federal prison. Stephen was convicted in a separate trial of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
U.S. Attorney Delia Smith credited Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle Payne and Natasha Baker, and the investigative team for bringing the case to a successful conclusion. Participating law enforcers include the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, Homeland Security Investigations and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces was credited for its role in the investigation.
