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.
The Honorable Judge Venetia H. Velazquez of the Virgin Islands Superior Court imposed the sentence. Branch had previously been released pending sentencing but was immediately taken into custody following the court’s decision. In January, Branch pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years. During sentencing, prosecutors argued that a 30-year sentence was warranted due to the calculated and cold-hearted nature of the crime.
According to the investigation by the Virgin Islands Police Department, in the early morning hours of April 2, 2024, Branch and co-defendant Elijah T. Spencer stalked Gordon through downtown Christiansted before luring him to Company Street, where he was shot multiple times. Gordon, widely known in the Christiansted community as “Bo Bo,” had no fixed address.
“Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of this violent crime and sends a clear message that those who commit acts of senseless violence in our community will be held accountable,” Attorney General Rhea said. “While nothing can restore Mr. Gordon’s life, we hope this outcome brings some measure of justice and reassurance to the community that the rule of law will prevail.”
Spencer, the co-defendant in the case, has not yet been prosecuted. In November 2025, he was found incompetent to stand trial following a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation and is currently awaiting placement at an off-island forensic facility.
Attorney General Rhea expressed appreciation to all those involved in the investigation and prosecution of the case, including Assistant Attorney General Robert Pickett of the Criminal Division of the Virgin Islands Department of Justice (DOJ), with support from Victim Witness Advocate Juliet John-Hope in the St. Croix District. He also thanked Det. Leon Cruz Jr. and the officers of the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) for their work in investigating the matter.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2026
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340) 774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov