A Bovoni woman wanted in the attack and subsequent head stomping of a woman at the Red Hook ferry terminal has surrendered, police said Monday.
Kahiyla D. Charles, 21, also known as Biggie, was charged with assault and disturbance of the peace after surrendering in the presence of her attorney Saturday. She had broken plans to leave St. Thomas for Houston, TX that afternoon, police said, after a wanted poster was issued.
Multiple witnesses corroborated surveillance and amateur video footage that showed a scuffle at the Cruz Bay ferry pier that reignited when the ferry disembarked at the Urman Victor Fredericks Terminal in Red Hook around 3:15 a.m. Thursday.
Charles and two minors allegedly argued with the victim and two other minors before the assault, according to court records.
During the attack, the victim was knocked to the ground and Charles, described as heavyset, allegedly stomped the woman’s head, causing facial fractures, eyes, neck, and hand injuries, and other wounds, according to court records.
The victim was treated at Schneider Regional Medical Center where she told police she had no memory of the attack.
“She indicated that she had no recollection of any further events, and she later learned that she had been transported to the hospital by ambulance,” according to a Virgin Islands Police Department report of the incident. “… she was informed by medical personnel that she had sustained facial fractures. She reported experiencing severe pain in her left temple, discomfort in her nose and right wrist, a missing acrylic nail on her left thumb, a sore neck, and a bloodshot right eye, which she was unable to fully open, while her left eye remained completely shut. Upon regaining consciousness in the hospital she became aware of bleeding from both her nose and mouth.”
Charles was held after failing to pay $25,000 bail.
Hours after the alleged attack, the Virgin Islands Port Authority released a warning the disorderly behavior on ferries and in terminals would not be tolerated.
