U.S. Virgin Islands — On Monday, V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea on joined a bipartisan coalition of 40 other attorneys general in calling on Congress to pass the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. The bipartisan legislation would classify the dangerous animal tranquilizer xylazine – which is often mixed with fentanyl and other opioids – as a federal controlled substance to better protect communities and reduce opioid overdose deaths. In a letter to House and Senate leadership, Attorney General Rhea and the coalition explain the dangers of illicit xylazine, which is causing an increasing number of opioid overdose deaths, and argue that federally classifying xylazine as a controlled substance is essential to helping law enforcement stop the spread of the drug.
U.S. Virgin Islands – V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea announced Thursday that 21-year-old Ryan Branch has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the April 2024 shooting death of veteran Milton Gordon.
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands — V.I. Attorney Gordon C. Rhea announces that Brett “Mac” McClafferty, 37, was advised of his rights during a hearing held today at V.I Superior Court. He was arrested in connection with a financial fraud investigation involving multiple alleged fraudulent banking transactions and is charged with Grand Larceny, Passing or Possession of Forged Bills, Obtaining Money by False Pretense, Making and Passing Fictitious Bills and Notes, and Drawing and Delivering Worthless Checks. The matter is being prosecuted by the Virgin Islands Department of Justice (DOJ) White Collar Crime and Public Corruption Unit.
U.S. Virgin Islands — On Tuesday, V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea, together with a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from around the country, urged Congressional leadership to protect children from online harm and pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).
U.S. Virgin Islands — V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea joined a coalition of 48 states and territories announcing two settlements with Lannett Company, Inc. (“Lannett”) and Bausch Health US, LLC and Bausch Health Americas, Inc. (“Bausch”), totaling $17.85 million to resolve allegations that both companies engaged in widespread, long-running conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade with regard to numerous generic prescription drugs. As part of their settlement agreements, both companies have agreed to cooperate in the ongoing multistate litigations led by Connecticut against 30 corporate defendants and 25 individual executives. Both companies have further agreed to a series of internal reforms to ensure fair competition and compliance with antitrust laws.