Category Archives: News

Antonio Sanes-Carmona arrested for failure to comply with sex offender registry

 (U.S. Virgin Islands)- Acting V.I. Attorney General Carol Thomas-Jacobs has announced that 51-year-old Antonio Sanes-Carmona, a registered sex offender, was arrested by the V.I. Dept. of Justice (VIDOJ) Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) Unit on January 11, 2023. Sanes-Carmona, a St. Croix resident, was arrested for failure to comply with the Sex Offender registry. 

U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Settles Sex Trafficking Case Against Estate Of Jeffrey Epstein And Co-Defendants For Over $105 Million

ST. THOMAS, U.S.V.I. – Today, Attorney General for the U.S. Virgin Islands Denise N. George announced a settlement with Jeffrey E. Epstein’s estate, co-defendants Darren K. Indyke and Richard D. Kahn (Co-executors of the estate), and ten Epstein-created entities. The settlement resolves a law enforcement action filed in 2020 under the anti-criminal enterprise, sex trafficking, child exploitation and fraud laws of the Virgin Islands. The settlement only resolves the claims against the Estate and the co-defendants named in the Government’s lawsuit, noted Attorney General George.

AG Denise George: Javier Rodriguez advised of rights for failure to comply with registration requirements for sex offenders

 (U.S. Virgin Islands)- V.I. Attorney General Denise George has announced that 40-year-old Javier Rodriguez, a registered sex offender, was arrested by V.I. Dept. of Justice (VIDOJ) Special Agents (SID) and the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) on November 17, 2022. Rodriguez was arrested for failure to comply with registration requirements for sex offenders in the Virgin Islands. 

Ceremony held for the first Parenting Program for the Haitian Community

(U.S. Virgin Islands)- V.I. Attorney General Denise George has announced the completion of the Pilot 12-week parenting class for the Haitian Community initiated by the

(PCSD). A graduation ceremony was held for over 50 program participants on October 30 at Living Word Family Ministries in Smith Bay. The class was designed to help create healthy parental relationships to improve the safety and well- being of children by teaching effective ways to co-parent and increase father’s involvement in raising their children.

Furthering its commitment to fund services that aim to meet the needs of all families in the community, AVP initiated the pilot program to cover topics that are similar to those currently offered in the ongoing parent classes including the Mother’s Matter & Fatherhood Buzz workshops. The AVP team partnered with the First Haitian Baptist Church of St. Thomas to offer the 12-week virtual classes held August 8- October 24th, 2022, on Mondays during the hours of 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.

“We would like to thank the parents and everyone who contributed to the success of this valuable parenting class. Strong families are the foundation of a strong community. Parenting programs like this go a long way in building good character, values, resilience,and life skills that prevent harmful behavior among our youths well into adulthood, “said AG George.

“The AVP Team is overwhelmed by the success and outcome of the parenting class and the partnership of the First Haitian Baptist Church of St. Thomas. Thanks to Mrs. Sandra Garcon, Facilitator, Founder, CEO, Motivational Teacher & Coach who did a fantastic job with the parents. We are pleased to report that there is now a demand requesting more parenting services by the participants and other Haitian parents to sign up for classes in Creole,” said Sharon Jackson-McDonald, Access Visitation Administrator.

The topics covered include:

1. Setting the atmosphere for effective co-parenting

2. Understanding power and control within relationships

3. The mother’s role in promoting a healthy father-child relationship

4. The cost of dad’s absent

5. The emotionally healthy mother/father

6. Conflict resolution and developing mutual respect

7. Setting mutual disciplines and structures

8. Identifying each other’s communication styles and love languages

9. Quality time with Dad/Mom

10. Keeping children physically and emotionally safe

During the ceremony, some of the parents shared their testimony with the assistance of translator and facilitator Sandra Garcon.

“Thanks to Sandra Garcon for educating us in our language and thanks to the DOJ for facilitating this super program that gives us an outlet,” said Enide Michel, mother of 5. “I have learned many things that will benefit me, my family and a program I am presently involved in working with children.”

Father of 5, Renold Mothe, also shared the same sentiments. “Thanks to everyone who coordinated this for the parents. This program has taught me how to live better with my family, wife, children, friends, co-workers and even enemies. I am a better parent, and my relationships have strengthened because of the classes offered,” said Mothe.

Remarks during the ceremony were given by AG Denise George, DOJ Chief Deputy AG- Carol Thomas-Jacobs, Director DOJ Paternity & Child Support- Terrance D. Joseph, Senator Milton Potter, Executive Director of the Family Resource Center- Anya Stewart, President of Sandra Garcon Degerville Ministries, LLC- Sandra Garcon, and Pastor of the First Haitian Baptist Church of St. Thomas- Saul Francois Saurel.

Each year, the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OSCE) provides mandatory grant funding to states and territories to operate the Access and Visitation Program. The Program aims to fund services that help noncustodial parents spend more time with their children and strengthen parental and family relationships.

The AVP is a federally funded program under Title IV Section D of the Social Security Act.

For more information on the initiative, call the Access and Visitation Program, DOJ

Paternity and Child Support Division at 340-775-3070 on St. Thomas and St. Croix at 340- 778-5958. You can also email the team at viaccess@vi.gov.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 4, 2022
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director (340)774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: Sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov