Crookes: Kemo (in front) and Kerry appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 16, 2012. Photo: VINO

The Crookes, who hail from St. Thomas, were apprehended at separate locations on January 14, 2012.

Kerry was charged with landing in the Virgin Islands without proper clearance and Kemo for untrue declaration and failing to clear a vessel at a designated point.

The duo had pleaded not guilty.

According to Crown Counsel Jude Hanley, the Crookes along with other individuals allegedly came to the VI from St. Thomas on board a vessel named “Toman”, which was captained by Kemo, around 12:30 a.m. on January 14.

She told the court, he dropped off Kerry at Jolly Rogers in West End and proceeded to Road Town where he moored the vessel at Baughers Bay and went to a party at Stones.

However, around 12:40 a.m., Police spotted Kerry walking along the public road in West End and asked him for some identification. He produced a USVI voter’s registration card, and allegedly told officers he was going by a friend to get a ride to Stones.

Crown Counsel Hanley further stated that later on January 14 at around 3 p.m., Kerry mentioned certain things and an hour later Kemo was brought in for questioning. When the captain of the vessel was questioned, he admitted to dropping off his brother at West End to see a friend. He also told officers he had made attempts to contact a Customs officer to clear the vessel.

Albeit, Kemo did clear the vessel during the morning hours but had allegedly failed to declare Kerry as a passenger.