ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea confirmed the arrest of eight juveniles on St. Thomas in connection with recent bomb threats targeting local schools.
The minors are charged with making a series of bomb threats over the past two weeks, directed to 911 emergency dispatch, targeting multiple schools including Charlotte Amalie High School and Lockhart K-8. These threats caused evacuations, lockdowns, and significant disruption across the St. Thomas District. Under Virgin Islands Code, Title 14 §2142, making a bomb hoax is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
The investigation was led by the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) with support from the Virgin Islands Department of Justice (DOJ). Detectives successfully identified and apprehended the individuals responsible. Working closely with investigators, the Attorney General’s Office filed a series of motions to remand the suspects to custody and expedite hearings related to the matter.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. praised the coordinated response and called for strong accountability in the case. “I want to thank Attorney General Rhea, Commissioner Brooks, the detectives of the Juvenile Bureau and every investigator and first responder who worked quickly and professionally to bring us to this point,” Governor Bryan said. “Let me be very clear. Calling in a bomb threat to a school is not a prank. It is a serious crime that has terrorized our classrooms, frightened our students and educators, and pulled critical resources away from real emergencies. I fully support the Attorney General’s efforts to remand these suspects and to prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law. Our children and our community deserve to know that we will not tolerate anyone who threatens the safety of our students, faculty and staff.”
Attorney General Rhea commends the swift and effective action taken by VIPD and the partnership between agencies; “This is an exceptional example of diligent police investigators working in close coordination with the Attorney General’s Office to ensure the safety of our schools and our community,” said AG Rhea. “I want to personally thank those who were instrumental in this effort, including DOJ Chief Deputy Ian Clement, DOJ Criminal Division Chief Timothy Perry, Assistant Attorneys General Dianne Russell and Madeleine James, VIPD Detective Jahbari Burton of the Juvenile Bureau and I give the highest praise to VIPD Commissioner Mario Brooks for his outstanding leadership in this effort.
The Attorney General’s Office notes that the consequences for disrupting local school operations are serious and will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law. Suspects will face multiple felony charges, including: Bomb Hoax (14 V.I.C. §2142), False Reporting First Degree (14 V.I.C. §2147), Conspiracy (14 V.I.C.§551), Cyber Harassment (14 V.I.C. §465), and Disturbance of the Peace/Threats (14 V.I.C. §622). The suspects are juveniles, so their identities are being withheld. This investigation is ongoing.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2025
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340) 774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov