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Sheila Yvonne Thomas Dies at 81

Mat Probasco
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Sheila Yvonne Thomas Dies at 81

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4. The family of Sheila Yvonne Thomas are saddened to announce her passing on March 21.

Sheila Yvonne Thomas

Kitty, as she was affectionately known, was born on September 16, 1944, in Green Bay, Antigua, to Robert and Amelia Byrd. As a middle child, she naturally developed independence, empathy, and a gift for being a peacemaker. Above all else, Kitty was deeply devoted to her family, whom she loved fiercely and cared for with unwavering dedication throughout her life.

On February 15, 1971, she married the love of her life, Ran. Together, they built a home rooted in faith, love, and perseverance, raising their children to embody kindness, respect, integrity, and compassion for others. Through her example, Kitty taught the importance of putting family first, serving others selflessly, and living a life guided by purpose and grace. Though her absence has left her loved ones heartbroken, they cherish the love shared, the memories created, and the lessons learned from her life. Forever loved. Forever remembered. Forever in our hearts.

She was preceded in death by her, spouse, Randolph Thomas; siblings, Thomas Merchant, Hyacinth Browne; child, Sean Thomas, nephew, Trevor Byrd.

She is survived by her, siblings, Conrad Byrd, Jean Byrd, and Eunice Ambrose; children, Randolph (Steve) Thomas, Ermin Smith, Rudell, Karen, Stacy, and Shauna Thomas, along with Shanna Stevenson (daughter-in-love); grandchildren, Omari Benjamin, Jinelle Banks, Tiffney Bailey, Tremanye Thomas, Caliph Wall, Khaleel Thomas, O’Nesha Hansen, Dohnysha Holland, Tariq Wall, Tariq Thomas, Raheem Thomas, Thalia Murray, Alyrica Winslow, Jahyra Thomas; great- grandchildren, Omani, O’Shea and Tamia Benjamin, Maasai and Maalani Banks, and Camron Thomas; nieces & nephews, Yvonne Greenaway, Arthur Cummings, Deborah Sherman, Sharon Weekes, Sharon Charles, Denise Phillp, Terrance Browne, Novella Phillip, Michelle Mizrahi, Colette Christian, Alison Browne, Stacy Roberts, Sean Roberts, Lucinda Browne, Kelly Byrd, Natalie Mulholland, Conrad Byrd, Alicia Ambrose, and Allison Ambrose; special nephews, Dwight Spencer and Jamil Thomas; godchildren, Dawne Simon and Leslie Maduro; in-laws, Miriam Merchant, Rubert Thomas, Genevive Winter, Judith Barnes, Alcott Ambrose, JoAnn Thomas, Tamara Benjamin, Deshauna Thomas, Antoinette Thomas, Daniel Banks, Loriann Thomas, and Gabriel Murray; special friends, Christina Bastian, Tennyson and Irene Joseph, Cavelle Dickenson, Christobelle Heskey, Veron Isaac, Heather Aska, Pet Simon, Melba Williams, Melrose Herrington, Rose Williams, Sylvia Henry, Violet Nero, Elvina McIntosh, Edris Weekes, Dawn Martin, Emelda Isaac, Agatha Phillip, Camella Nesbitt, Arnold Jarvis, Pamela Richards, Devon Phillip and Family, Esther Williams, Tyrone Lake, Vernon Thomas, and Antonio Rivera and Family; extended family and friends, Dawn and Ezra Tonge, Emanuel Barnes, Rodrigo, William, Israel, and Isaac Gonzales, Bernard Shaw, Ivan Hansen, Chimwala McIntosh, Kyra Lynch, Suzan Hopkins, Carla Ragguette-Cascen, Shelbourne Simeon, John K. Kennedy Family, Ronald Inglis, Anthony St. Louis, Steve Funderburk, Jose Estela, Tyrone Joseph, Marcia Johnson, Clarice Krieger, Marisa Samuel, Alfred Moore, Dalsia Parrilla, Anna Hall, Mount Pleasant Villas Friends, along with Jerry and Diedre Carver; precious friends and other relatives too numerous to mention.

A viewing will be held on April 29, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. 4040 Estate La Grande Princesse, Christiansted, VI 00820.

Funeral services for Sheila “Kitty” will be held on Thursday, April 30 at 10 a.m., with viewing beginning at 9 a.m. Services will take place at Friedensberg Moravian Church, 1–6 Hospital Street, Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands. Interment will be held at Kingshill Cemetery.

Professional arrangements are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home.

Vernon Renford Drew Dies at 68

Mat Probasco
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Vernon Renford Drew Dies at 68

Vernon Renford Drew of Estate Rattan passed away on April 4 at the age of 68 years old.

Vernon Renford Drew

He was preceded in death by his mother, Irene Dore Drew, and father, Zephaniah Drew.

He is survived by his loving wife, Andrea V. Francis-Drew; daughters, Tamika “Sandrene” and Natasha “Tasha” Drew, Evastus “Vas” Drew Williams, Renata “Rena” and Shinikua “Nikki” Drew; adopted daughter, Nelcia St. Jean; sons, Renford “Junior” Drew, Glenn “Junior” Thomas and Gerard “Kona” Thomas; grandchildren, Naema, Malachi, Malena, Ezekiel, Maliek and Malkom, Drew and Ki’Zaiah Richardson Thomas; brothers, Eugene Pemberton (Nevis), Irwyn Ottley (New York) and Doval Drew; niece, Nordia Drew; nephews, Ebal, Doval Jr. and Dion Drew; daughters-in-law, Deirdra Drew and Koyeshia Richardson; son-in-law, Troy Williams; adopted mother, Winifred Violenus; mother and father-in-law, Yvonne and Charles “Bumpy” Isles Sr.; sisters-in-law, Christine Drew, Karlene Henry and Okesiha Beaupierre; brothers-in-law, Kenneth “Abumba” and Stephen “Kuff” Francis, Charles Jr., Sheldon, Randall and Dexter Isles; uncle and Aunt-In-Law, Everton “Ike” and Verna Blackman; great nieces and great nephews, too numerous to mention; godchildren, James Swanston, Kyle and Caleb Freeman and DeAndra Brewley; precious cousins and other relatives too numerous to mention; special Friends, Roal “Coke” Caesar and Family, Yolanda Robles and Family, Weldon Maxwell, Winifred Dawson, Tony James and Family, Arnold “Beverage” and Perclyn Richardson and Family, Cherry-Ann “Nessa” Elliott and Cuthbert Cyril and Family, George Lake and Family, Dominoe Crew and Family, Mitchell Sr. and Lorraine Benjamin-Matthew, Nathaniel Challenger and Family, Kleon, Karema, Carl, and Donna Gaskin and Family, The Phillip Family, Raphael “Raphy” Corneiro, Eustace Roach, Denise Bell, David and Cecile Rossington and Family, Lynette Johannes and Norton Williams and Family, Rev. Dr. Dion and Eulencine Christopher and Family, Rev. Dr. Jeremy B. and Rena Warner-Francis and Family, Friedensberg Moravian Church Congregation and Family, Brenda Stevens, Shamoni and Alvin Ogarro and Family, Murphy and Corine, Shermaine Samuel, Hobson Family and Eugene Phipps, The Jones and Grouby Family; other Extended Family and Friends, Dr. Charles Perez and Family and Staff of ProHealth Urgent Care, Dr. Walter Gardner and Staff of Haemodialysis Caribbean Kidney Center, The staff and special ladies and gentlemen of Internal Revenue Bureau, Lynette “Ms. Patrick” Ramon and Family, The Johannes Family, Ohmar Adams and Family, Esau Brooks and Family, Corine Messer, Mario Richardson, Dorothy Joseph, Emile A. Henderson III and Marlene Henderson, Senators Kurt Vialet and Family, Kenneth “Kenny” Gittens and Novel Francis Jr. and Family, Donald “Budah” Francis, Estate Rattan and Neighbour’s and Family, Carol and Andrea Williams and Family, Family and friends in the BVI and Tortola; many precious friends and other relatives too numerous to mention.

Funeral service will be held on April 29 at Friedensberg Moravian Church (Frederiksted). Viewing begins at 9 a.m., with service at 10 a.m. Interment will be held at Kingshill Cemetery. A love offering will be collected during the service. Guests are asked to please wear shades of light blue, beige, and cream.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.

Andrea P. Stephenson Dies at86

Mat Probasco
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Andrea P. Stephenson Dies at86

Andrea P. Stephenson, aka “Pamela”, of Estate Ruby, passed away on April 6. She was 86 years old.

Andrea P. Stephenson

She was preceded by her, mother, Daphne Maude Thompson; father, John Samuel Thompson; sister, Beaulah Galloway.

She is survived by her daughter, Heather F. Stephenson- Proctor; son-in-law, Darlington Proctor; sisters, Leith Harvey, Brenda Young, Angela Nunes, Loren Dunning, Denise Roberts, Faith Thompson; brothers, Dr. Frederick Thompson, Wendell Thompson, Rowan Thompson; nieces, Sharon Anderson-Lewis, Gail Sammott, Karen Harvey, Janelle Nunes, Stacey Pinnock, Dana Dwyer, Ashleigh Dunning, Chantel Henderson, Danae Galloway, Desta Thompson, Neisha-Ann Thompson, Violet Thompson, Karline Kelly, Keandra Thompson, Kyisha Thompson, Danielle Gunter (niece-in-law), Qinette Young (niece-in-law); nephews, Michael Anderson, Kerrin Young, Konrad Young, Derrick Harvey, Alex Dunning, Andre Gunter, Oral Thompson, Everald Thompson, Andre Dwyer (nephew-in-law); ; brother-in-law, George Nunes, Ira Galloway, Norris Roberts; sister-in-law, Rose Thompson; several godchildren too numerous to mention; special friends/neighbors, Daisey Lafonde, Yvette DeLaubanque;  other relatives, Danicah Proctor, Kenji Proctor, Kani Proctor, Andre Gunter, Jr., Mia Gunter;  and other relatives too numerous to mention.

Funeral service will be held on April 28 at Altona Baptist Church. Viewing begins at 9:30 am, with service at 10 am. Interment will be held at Kingshill Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.

Committee Backs Resolution to Modernize Caribbean Basin Initiative and Expand USVI Role

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Committee Backs Resolution to Modernize Caribbean Basin Initiative and Expand USVI Role
Attorney David Bornn at the Senate Rules and Judiciary Committee on Thursday, discussing a bill related to the Caribbean Basin Initiative and U.S. Virgin Islands trade policy. (Photo courtesy V.I. Legislature)

The Senate Rules and Judiciary Committee on Thursday advanced a resolution urging the federal government to modernize the Caribbean Basin Initiative, a U.S. trade program that provides duty-free access to certain Caribbean exports, and to treat the U.S. Virgin Islands as a strategic partner in regional trade and development.

In a unanimous 7–0 vote, senators approved Bill 36-0194, calling on Congress and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to update the initiative before its 2030 expiration. Supporters said the measure seeks to leverage the territory’s position outside the U.S. customs zone to attract jobs, expand trade, and strengthen ties with neighboring Caribbean countries.

Bill sponsor Sen. Angel Bolques Jr. said the resolution is aimed at long‑term economic growth, not just technical trade changes.

“This is a measure that is not just about modernizing a trade policy, but also positioning the Virgin Islands for long‑term economic strength, regional leadership and global competitiveness,” Bolques told colleagues.

He said the territory’s dual identity is central to that effort.

“We are both part of the United States of America and deeply connected to our Caribbean region. This dual identity is not just a limitation, it is our greatest economic advantage,” he said.

Bolques said updating the Caribbean Basin Initiative and more formally engaging the USVI in how it is administered could help position the territory as a transshipment hub while expanding opportunities in logistics, energy and digital industries.

The committee heard testimony from attorney David A. Bornn, a Virgin Island native and trade adviser, who described the Virgin Islands as occupying a “truly unique” position in the Caribbean economy.

Bornn said the territory is part of the United States but remains outside the U.S. customs zone under the 1917 Treaty of Cession and subsequent federal law, operating its own 6% customs duty on imports.

“The USVI, while being part of the United States of America, is outside of the United States customs zone … The USVI imposes a flat 6% customs duty on all items entering the USVI customs zone,” he told senators.

That structure, he said, places the territory in a different position from Caribbean nations covered by the Caribbean Basin Initiative, particularly as U.S. tariff levels have risen above the 3.5% rate those countries expected.

He also pointed to a U.S. Trade Representative proposal that would have imposed a $1 million port entry fee on certain Chinese-built vessels entering U.S. ports, while exempting some ships calling at the Virgin Islands under specific conditions. Although the proposal has been paused, Bornn said it has raised concerns about future shipping costs for Eastern Caribbean exporters.

Bornn said the territory could benefit by serving as a processing and logistics point for goods entering the U.S. market, using its customs status to reduce costs for regional exporters. He said products processed in the Virgin Islands and then shipped to the mainland could qualify for duty-free entry under existing rules.

He called the opportunity a “sleeping giant of a benefit” for both the Virgin Islands and its Caribbean neighbors.

Committee Chair Sen. Carla J. Joseph, and co‑sponsor of the bill, said part of her motivation was concern that the territory is not always “at the table” when regional trade and funding issues are discussed. She noted that the Virgin Islands typically receives about $6 million a year in rum‑related federal revenues, but argued the territory has not been getting its full “fair share” and is sometimes overlooked in decisions affecting the wider Caribbean.

Bornn emphasized that the Caribbean Basin Initiative is limited to non‑U.S. Caribbean countries and that the rum revenues are governed by a separate formula. But he said the resolution is designed to ensure the Virgin Islands is included when federal agencies work with CBI partners and to prompt them to highlight USVI programs and advantages in those discussions.

“What this bill seeks to do is to raise our hand and say, ‘Hey, we are a U.S. territory within the region that you’re trying to reach,’” he said, adding that agencies such as the U.S. Department of Commerce, Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Trade Representative should be encouraged to highlight Virgin Islands programs when working with Caribbean governments.

Before the final vote, senators adopted Amendment 36-724, clarifying how the Virgin Islands’ customs status could strengthen its role as a transshipment hub under federal law. The amendment was approved without objection.

All seven committee members voted in favor of the amended resolution. Bill 36-0194, which urges Congress and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to expand and modernize the Caribbean Basin Initiative “to further support economic growth and development in the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean region,” was favorably reported out of committee and will be forwarded to the full Legislature for further action.

WAPA Board Presses Ahead on St. John Generator Plan, Sets Deadline for Proposals

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WAPA Board Presses Ahead on St. John Generator Plan, Sets Deadline for Proposals
The V.I. Water and Power Authority power plant located on St. Thomas. (Source file photo) 
The WAPA board has directed a fast-track push for generators to stabilize St. John power, with procurement options due within a week. (Source file photo)

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority governing board on Thursday directed its executive team to accelerate efforts to stabilize power on St. John, challenging Executive Director Karl Knight to improve on a proposed generator plan and return within a week with stronger options.

Knight presented an initial approach centered on a mix of new and lightly used standby generators to speed deployment, but board members pressed for a more competitive solution that better balances speed, reliability, and cost.

The directive builds on action taken earlier this month, when the board approved emergency generator acquisitions to improve service in the St. Thomas–St. John district. With earlier equipment plans falling through, members are now pushing to move decisively from planning to execution.

During the meeting, board members outlined technical requirements, calling for 13.8 kV generators in the 2.5 to 3 megawatt range, with a target of at least four units, along with transformers.

“We would like 13.8 kV generators … in the range of 2.5 to 3 megawatts,” Board Chair Maurice K. Muia said. “We’re looking for at least four of those generators — that’s the ideal suite.”

The board unanimously approved a motion directing Knight and his team to refine their proposal and present updated options by the following Friday.

Knight emphasized the urgency of the effort, warning that delays could hinder near-term improvements.

“I need generators shipped and moving,” he said. “If we really want to get this going … this is the last time.”

Officials said the authority initially identified new generators for purchase, but that plan stalled after it was determined the units would not be delivered with required enclosures. Retrofitting them would have added several months to the timeline.

“We were under the impression that they did have enclosures, but as we tried to finalize the arrangement, we were told they don’t have enclosures,” Knight said. “That’s another four months of lead time.”

With that option no longer viable, Knight said the authority began evaluating alternatives, including a mix of new and used units that could be deployed more quickly.

“We’re looking at a combination — some new and some used,” he said, noting that some used units under consideration have minimal operating hours and are in near-new condition.

Some available units already include enclosures and do not require transformers, allowing for faster installation, while others would require additional components or longer lead times.

The shift reflects a broader trade-off the board is weighing, as members continue to press Knight for a plan that delivers faster results without sacrificing reliability.

“We can move fast, or we can move meticulously,” Knight said, noting that pursuing all-new units could delay deployment by a year or more.

The authority is also working to secure financing so it can act quickly once a plan is finalized, including using available credit to make deposits on equipment.

Board members voiced concerns about relying on used units but acknowledged the urgency of improving service on St. John, where outages have lasted as long as 48 hours in recent months.

They indicated that if updated proposals do not meet expectations within the set timeframe, the authority may revisit previously discussed procurement options.

Separately, board members raised concerns about customer service, including long wait times and accessibility challenges for elderly residents.

WAPA officials said improvements are underway, including plans for a new customer service location, expanded kiosk access, and increased promotion of online payment options. Knight also pointed to the rollout of advanced metering infrastructure, expected to begin on St. John later this year.

“We have 56,000 meters sitting in the territory right now waiting to be installed,” he said.

The board also approved renewal of WAPA’s property insurance policy for the upcoming year at a cost not to exceed $2.31 million, increasing coverage from $10 million to $20 million, excluding wind damage.

Addressing recent public concern about water quality, Knight said earlier reports of elevated lead and copper levels were the result of faulty testing, not a systemwide issue.

“We did not have a crisis,” he said.

The authority is seeking 80 volunteers on St. Croix to participate in free water testing, offering a $50 credit on utility bills as an incentive. Those interested can call WAPA at 340-773-2250, extension 3065.

Board members also raised concerns about inadequate street lighting ahead of Carnival, citing safety risks. Knight acknowledged financial challenges but said the authority would continue addressing critical needs.

“We never put financial issues above public health and safety,” he said.

Rules Committee Advances Two Judicial Nominees After Hearing Focused on Court Delays

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Rules Committee Advances Two Judicial Nominees After Hearing Focused on Court Delays
Sen. Carla J. Joseph, chair of the Senate Rules and Judiciary Committee, during Thursday’s meeting in which judicial nominees were considered. (Photo courtesy V.I. Legislature)

The Senate Rules and Judiciary Committee on Thursday unanimously advanced two of Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.’s judicial nominees after a hearing that focused heavily on court backlogs, judicial independence in a small community and access to justice for residents without attorneys.

Lawmakers voted 7–0 to recommend Superior Court Judge Denise M. Francois for elevation to the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands and attorney Renee M. Andre for a judgeship on the Superior Court’s St. Thomas–St. John Division. Both nominations now head to the full Legislature.

Francois, a longtime Superior Court judge, pointed to her years on the trial bench and prior appellate experience as preparation for serving on the territory’s highest court.

She has served on the Superior Court since 2013 and currently oversees hundreds of active civil and criminal cases. As of late March, her caseload stood at 356 matters, most of them civil but including serious charges ranging from assault to homicide.

Beyond her trial work, Francois has served as a designated justice on the Virgin Islands Supreme Court and has sat on the Appellate Division of the District Court. She also played a key role in reshaping the territory’s civil procedure rules as the first chair of the Civil Rules Advisory Committee and now serves as administrative judge for the St. Thomas–St. John district.

“As a judge, my conduct, both on and off the bench, in public and in private, is governed by the Virgin Islands Model Code of Judicial Conduct,” Francois told lawmakers. “I aspire at all times to conduct myself in a manner that ensures the greatest public confidence in my independence, impartiality, integrity and competence.”

Andre, a St. Thomas native, framed her nomination as a continuation of her commitment to community and public service.

A graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, she completed college in three years before earning her law degree from West Virginia University. Early in her career, she clerked for District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez, gaining experience in both trial and appellate matters.

She has since spent more than a decade in private practice, handling a broad range of cases, including criminal defense, civil litigation, family law, and corporate matters.

Andre told senators that her judicial temperament, described as calm, impartial, and respectful under pressure, would guide her work on the bench.

Much of the hearing focused on delays in the court system, with lawmakers pressing both nominees on how they would address long-standing complaints that cases move too slowly.

Francois pointed to structural constraints, explaining that judges have a limited number of trial days each year, far fewer than the number of cases assigned to them.

Andre acknowledged public frustration but emphasized that due process requires time and careful preparation. She said she would prioritize firm scheduling, early case management, and closer scrutiny of continuance requests to keep cases moving.

“If there is a backlog, I would have to implement case management systems to ensure that these cases move on a timely basis,” Andre said. “That also means ensuring that continuances have a basis and are not simply the result of a lack of preparation.”

Lawmakers asked both nominees how they would manage conflicts of interest and safeguard judicial independence.

Andre said she would follow judicial conduct rules on disclosure and recusal whenever potential conflicts arise, stating she would disclose those relationships to the parties and either seek waivers or step aside.

Francois told senators she would not allow outside pressure to affect her decisions and emphasized the strict prohibition on ex parte communications, or private one-sided contact about pending cases.

“Anybody who knows me knows that I am not going to be swayed or influenced to do anything that’s improper,” she said. “It’s just not going to happen.”

Lawmakers repeatedly returned to how the courts serve residents who cannot afford legal representation.

Andre said she supports practical steps such as using plain-language communication in court, providing standardized forms and expanding self-help resources to assist people navigating the system on their own.

Francois said judges already try to read filings from self-represented litigants with some flexibility, working to understand the arguments even when they are not framed in formal legal terms.

By the end of the hearing, senators signaled support for both nominees ahead of a full legislative vote.

Settlement Reached in Democratic Party, Elections Primary Kerfuffle

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Settlement Reached in Democratic Party, Elections Primary Kerfuffle
V.I. Elections Supervisor Caroline Fawkes enters the federal courthouse Thursday morning on St. Croix for a court-mandated mediation between the V.I. Election System, Elections Board and Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

A dispute over the V.I. Democratic Party’s primary process came to an amicable end Thursday at the federal courthouse on St. Croix after two-and-a-half hours of court-ordered mediation between the party, V.I. Election System, Elections Supervisor Caroline Fawkes and Elections Board chair Raymond Williams.

The Democratic Party brought the suit earlier this month and argued that the Elections System’s distribution of nomination petitions and papers violated the party’s constitutional right to implement its own primary plan, which they sent to the system and Elections Board in late January. In its complaint, the party wrote that its First Amendment rights would be irreparably harmed and that the primary election would be thrown “into chaos” if the court did not order them to stop distribution.

Assistant Attorney General Ariel Smith-Francois, representing the Elections System, Fawkes and Williams, told the Source that the dispute was largely about conflicting dates in the calendar released by the government and the Democratic Party’s primary plan. Summarizing the agreement for U.S. District Court Chief Judge Robert Molloy, she explained that the Elections System will be responsible for determining the statutory qualification of candidates — ensuring they meet age, residency and citizenship requirements — while the Democratic Party will be responsible for certifying candidates’ party membership.

Molloy and Magistrate Judge Emile Henderson III, who presided over the mediation, both lauded the group for resolving their disagreement in mediation, with Henderson noting that “it is always better than going through protracted litigation.”

“Ideally, this should have been done months ago,” Molloy observed before commending them.

The parties told Henderson and Molloy that they will file a joint motion to dismiss the lawsuit within 10 days.

“I think it’s a big win for the Virgin Islands,” said attorney Peter Lynch, who represented the Democratic Party, after Thursday’s resolution.

Feds Suggest Corrupt Government Officials Tipped Off Tootsys Leaders

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Feds Suggest Corrupt Government Officials Tipped Off Tootsys Leaders
(Shutterstock image)
Federal prosecutors alleged the owner of Tootsys Gentlemen’s Club ran a prostitution ring. (Shutterstock image)

The alleged ringleader of a St. Thomas prostitution ring had secret codewords shared with migrant smugglers, round-the-clock surveillance at his employees’ home, and may have been warned about law enforcement activity by “corrupt government officials,” according to court records.

Federal officers raided Tootsys Gentlemen’s Club in Red Hook on April 17, arresting the club’s manager, a driver, and 56-year-old Hussein Jamil, a man prosecutors described as “the consummate pimp” in legal arguments that Jamil be held without bail.

“ … Jamil engaged in a pattern of intimidating and controlling behavior relating to the women whom he exploited at Tootsys. According to witnesses, Jamil was always armed and had surveillance cameras inside and outside Bolongo 25 to monitor the women’s movements. Indeed, the Tootsys employees living at Bolongo 25 were not permitted to leave the residence between the hours of 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. to ensure they did not see clients ‘on the side,’ thereby cutting into Jamil’s bottom line,” prosecutors told U.S. Magistrate Judge G. Alan Teague Wednesday.

Investigators seized evidence related to a commercial sex operation from the home and the club, according to court records. They also found evidence related to operating a business, including ledgers, notebooks, receipts, checkbooks, and blank checks, money bags and cash, a laptop, phones, a DVR player, phones, and personal items, including zip ties, a yet-unidentified white powdered substance, a wallet, a U.S. passport, and a British Virgin Islands visa. In addition, law enforcement uncovered two firearms — one from a safe within Tootsys and another from Jamil’s bedroom in Bolongo 25 — and related magazines and ammunition, now in custody of the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department, according to court records.

Officers arrested club manager 39-year-old Magda Castro Santos and Julio Hidaldo De Pena, 65, who allegedly ferried women between the club and the Bolongo home.

All three were charged with conspiracy to transport for purpose of prostitution, conspiracy to commit interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises, and conspiracy to harbor aliens for financial gain — punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Law enforcement officers also made contact with nine dancers, most of whom were without lawful immigration status, who were working at Tootsys during the execution of the search warrant.

Multiple witnesses told federal officers Jamil had St. Thomas connections that provide advanced notice of potential law enforcement actions at his clubs, prosecutors said.

“For example, witnesses have stated that illegal alien dancers were told to stay at Bolongo 25 rather than come into Tootsys when Jamil was alerted of a potential immigration raid at the club. Witnesses have also indicated that, on multiple occasions, illegal alien dancers working at Tootsys were instructed to change into regular clothes from their dancing outfits to and to sit and mingle among the customers when immigration officials were expected to appear. Witnesses have also stated that Tootsys’ employees would flash the lights in the club to alert the presence of the authorities so that the women could act accordingly. These specific anecdotes from witnesses documenting Jamil’s apparent ties to corrupt government officials or other knowledgeable sources of information provide additional bases for finding that Jamil is a serious risk of flight in this case, given that these same sources likely are capable of facilitating his flight from the jurisdiction in one form or another,” prosecutors wrote.

They claimed Jamil was at Jet Blue Airlines three times and American Airlines once between April 15 – 17, and made 16 visits to his bank between April 12-17.

Prosecutors said not only did Jamil take a percentage of his employees’ tips as dancers and sex workers, but also instituted fines and payments meant to force the women into longer-term employment and a more lucrative payout for himself. Some of the women were allegedly allowed to work off their smuggling and housing debts through sex with Jamil, according to court records.

Jamil contacted many of the women through social media and then moved their conversations to encrypted communications, prosecutors alleged.

“He also has directed at least one witness in this case to use code words for smuggling, such as ‘planes’ or ‘packages’ in lieu of ‘boats.’ Given his command over coconspirators, knowledge and use of secret or encrypted communications, and documented witness tampering, it is even more likely that he can and would use such means to ‘obstruct or attempt to obstruct justice, or threaten, injure, or intimidate, or attempt to threaten, injure, or intimidate, a prospective witness or juror’ in this case,” prosecutors wrote.

Teague ordered Jamil, De Pena, and Castro Santos held without bail.

‘Prolific V: The Lost Gallery’ Brings Immersive Art, Music, and Tech to St. Thomas

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‘Prolific V: The Lost Gallery’ Brings Immersive Art, Music, and Tech to St. Thomas

On Saturday, the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts on St. Thomas will transform into something far more than a traditional gallery. From 5 to 10 p.m., “Prolific V: The Lost Gallery,” presented by Eliana B. Artistry, will offer an immersive fusion of visual art, music, and interactive technology, celebrating local creative talent in honor of the council’s 60th Anniversary Jubilee.

Eliana Schuster-Brown sits to paint multi-colored picture depicting a woman dressed in a beautiful ensemble, admiring a small bird closely. (Photo courtesy Eliana Schuster-Brown)

According to Eliana L. Schuster-Brown, the St. Croix native, Air Force veteran, and multidimensional creative behind the event, this is not a passive experience. “From the moment you walk in, you’re not just observing, you’re participating,” Schuster-Brown said.

Attendees can expect interactive installations where guests are invited to create, reflect, and leave a piece of themselves behind. Augmented reality elements will bring certain artworks to life, extending pieces literally beyond the canvas.

One of the night’s most anticipated features is an original animation, coproduced by Schuster-Brown and producer/animator Kirk Rojas, which will be shown only on opening night. The sensory journey continues with original soundscapes by AJ Ventura, who guides the room through the evolution of calypso across the years. “The energy is intentional. The music, the visuals, the layout are all curated to feel like a journey. By the end of the night my goals is for people to feel inspired, seen, and creatively awakened,” Schuster-Brown said.

The artists featured in “Prolific V” were selected not just for talent, but for their ability to tell meaningful stories and connect with people through their work. Kirk “Remedii” Rojas bridges traditional art and technology through animation, while Schuster-Brown’s own mentors, Lucien Downes and Elwin Joseph, are included as a tribute to those who believed in her early on. Cross-territorial talent includes artists Indira Lovely, Chunikwa George, and Amy Gibbs. Newly added to the lineup is Kanda Burges, selected for her beautiful and unique tufted artwork as Schuster-Brown puts it, “She paints with yarn, and it’s stunning.

Schuster-Brown’s own work is rooted in storytelling, especially around femininity, identity, growth, and transformation through a Caribbean lens. She primarily works with acrylics as a mixed-media visual artist, but for this exhibition, she has expanded into interactive elements, including an augmented reality experience directly connected to her artwork. The AR component represents a life cycle, starting from childhood and moving through adolescence, young adulthood, and full adulthood, while also touching on family dynamics and moments of reflection. “What I wanted to do was go beyond creating something visual. Viewers aren’t just looking at the work, they’re stepping into the story and moving through those stages with me,” Schuster-Brown said.

The exhibition will remain open for public viewing for two weeks afterward, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Long-term, “Prolific V” is evolving into a traveling experience. “I want to take this concept beyond St. Thomas and into other Caribbean islands, and eventually internationally. I’m so happy VICA took a chance on me and was the first to see the vision. Prolific is not just an exhibition, it’s a platform. A space for artists to be seen, for community to engage, and for creativity to be experienced in a more immersive and meaningful way,” Schuster-Brown said.

All artwork is for sale, with payment plans up to 12 months available. General admission tickets are $25 and available on Eventbrite. The event takes place at the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, located at 5070 Norre Gade, St. Thomas, on Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.

“Come ready to experience, not just observe. Because this isn’t just something you see, it’s something you feel,” Schuster-Brown said.

Linda J. Clarke Dies at 83

Mat Probasco
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Linda J. Clarke Dies at 83

The family and friends of Linda J. Clarke announce with deep sorrow her passing on March 30, 2026. She was 83 years old and resided at Estate Rattan, St. Croix.

Linda J. Clarke

She is survived by her brother, David B. Philp Sr.; her sister-in-law, Karen Philp; her nephew, David Philp Jr.; her niece, Julie Philp; her extended family from St. Croix Avis and other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, April 27 at 10 a.m. at James Memorial Funeral Home, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Schuster’s Crematorium, LLC.

The family and friends express sincere appreciation for the prayers, support, and expressions of sympathy extended during this difficult time.

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