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Two more charged with harbouring prison escapee Jose Almestica

-facing maximum 14 years in prison if found guilty
Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is that three persons, including two siblings, have been charged with harboring 2017 prison escapee Jose Almestica. Photo: VINO/File
Jose Almestica (in photo) was on the run from the law for four years, when he and many others escaped Her Majesty's Prison after the 2017 hurricanes and had been living in Ballast Bay. Photo: RVIPF
Jose Almestica (in photo) was on the run from the law for four years, when he and many others escaped Her Majesty's Prison after the 2017 hurricanes and had been living in Ballast Bay. Photo: RVIPF
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is that three persons, including two siblings, have been charged with harbouring 2017 prison escapee Jose Almestica.

According to the Royal Virgin Police force (RVIPF) in addition to Jennifer Smith, 26 of Sea Cows Bay who was arrested last Tuesday with the recapture of Almestica and subsequently charged with harbouring a prisoner, two others have now been charged. 

Siblings arrested 

Last Wednesday, December 8, 2021, siblings Renee Smith, 33, of Hannah’s Estate, and Shamal Smith, 41, of Fort Hill were also charged for harbouring the same prisoner. Both are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court today.

The charge of harbouring a prisoner carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

Almestica was on the run from the law for four years, when he and many others escaped the prison after the 2017 hurricanes and had been living in Ballast Bay in a house that Smith’s family allegedly rented for him.

Almestica, 33, was re-captured last Tuesday, December 7, 2021, and was in prison for illegal possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and illegal entry prior to his escape.

36 Responses to “Two more charged with harbouring prison escapee Jose Almestica”

  • 41 (14/12/2021, 11:02) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shamal is not 41
    • Madussa (14/12/2021, 15:57) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
      No matter the age, just plain STUPID!
    • @41 (14/12/2021, 16:05) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      Who cares how old he is, he should have known what he was doing was wrong. Whoever drop the dime on them deserve a reward.
    • @41 (15/12/2021, 08:44) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Who cares how old he is? A man can be 55 years old but still function like a two year old child.
  • My girl (14/12/2021, 11:09) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    This country is beyond vulgar
  • hmmm (14/12/2021, 11:10) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    He is 41???
  • SB (14/12/2021, 11:17) Like (4) Dislike (19) Reply
    Keep ayo head up and memory blank you all got nothing to say. This bigger than you all.
  • wow (14/12/2021, 11:35) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply

    If you know the guy escape why keep him so long?

    • @wow (14/12/2021, 12:34) Like (4) Dislike (23) Reply
      I woulda do it to , just don’t get caught .
      • vi (15/12/2021, 06:40) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        You sound stupid looks like you from somewhere people don’t live if we know who you is we should pull you in
  • Just saying (14/12/2021, 13:28) Like (54) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why didn’t the police have wanted posters around I remembered after Irma it stated “all prisoners” are recaptured…….no where in the public knowledge they have this guy was wanted…..am sure a lot of ppl have seen this guy and never know he was wanted…….AGAIN AM NOT TRYING TO JUSTIFY……am just sayin
  • Jones (14/12/2021, 14:00) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    How stupid were these people? They thought they could hide someone on a 4x4 island. Amazing they lasted as long as they did - now for time on the hill
    • For Realz (14/12/2021, 16:02) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      Guess the whole family will be spending the Holidays in the POKEY. Set of fools, hiding the criminal for 4 years. KEEP ALL THEIR BEHINDS UNDER LOCK AND KEY. The one from sea cows bay is a little snake in the grass.
      • @For Realz (14/12/2021, 20:36) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
        I always new that girl from Sea Cows Bay did not have much common sense. More on the mild artistic side.
    • @Jones (14/12/2021, 17:48) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      but but but theydid " hide "someone on a 4×4 island and In plain sight .
      With a lil help from the right source,you accomplish .
  • take note (14/12/2021, 14:21) Like (28) Dislike (3) Reply
    There photos are not for public viewing.
    Just in case a John Q Public person recognize face and recall incident or info that could add to more clarity to convict and to arrest.
    The VI is protective of the identity of its criminals,most especially the guns ammunition and illegal drug group.
  • Local (14/12/2021, 15:12) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    TIC TOK 8 more to go christmas at balo .
  • NB (14/12/2021, 16:15) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    So where are the pictures of the Smiths. Aren’t they now charged with participating in a criminal act? Post their photos for all to see. Why only his photo in the news?
  • Free my friend (14/12/2021, 16:40) Like (4) Dislike (19) Reply
    Free Jennifer. I prayer the judge see this as a misunderstanding. And she was truly caught into something she was not aware of.

    Again I emphasize FREE Jennifer
    • Norris Turnbull (14/12/2021, 19:27) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
      U must have drink some stupid putty laced punch. Free my nalgas.
    • pleaseeee (14/12/2021, 20:59) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Misunderstanding you say? She is right where she is suppose to be for being stupid. SHE HELP HIDE A FUGITIVE FOR FOUR LONG YEARS AND SHE WAS CAUGHT IN SOMETHING SHE WAS NOT AWARE OF? DUMMY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS DOING. LET HER RASS STAY RIGHT WHERE SHE IS TO MARINATE IN THE STUPID SAUCE.
  • uh (14/12/2021, 16:47) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    @ 41 who cares how old he or she is the law is law regardless what barbering a frdetive is a cramenal offince
  • Look... (14/12/2021, 17:12) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    ...the dominoes are falling!
  • Hnmm (14/12/2021, 19:44) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ain’t bout those alone , the big question who was he working for or with!!!!!!! Which drug lord out of the west!!!!!!!! U all ain’t seeing the big picture at all
    • ... (14/12/2021, 23:42) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      West Bank
    • Trying to Run... (15/12/2021, 04:16) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
      Ms Lady knows the wall was closing in on her, she knows people were onto her game and she took the coward stupid way out by trying to leave Island trying to Run,. What I don't understand, Why keep all the evidence in the same house that she rented with an escapy?..Brainless..
  • Ms Blanco (14/12/2021, 20:52) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Justice for Benny !
  • lmao (14/12/2021, 21:03) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I need that stupid sauce recipe because there is a whole lot of people I need to dunk in that sauce head first to marinate. LMAO.
  • ON D STREET (14/12/2021, 21:37) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    IS , IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG , YOU GOT TO TAKE THE RAP , THE BIG MAN IS LIKE A
    GHOST , AND HIS CANARIES WILL FIND SOMBODY POINT
  • Minus 1 (14/12/2021, 21:45) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    All for the love of money!! It just begin to unfold. These ppl cause pain!! Wait man.
  • bank (14/12/2021, 21:56) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    WSI
  • Madussa (14/12/2021, 23:40) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    So glad he and his harboring fools got caught. More garbage just got cleaned up off the streets.
  • hmmmmmm (15/12/2021, 03:28) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    I bet if they were from down the island their whole info included their pictures would of been circulating by now..
    Hmmmmm
  • Island man police (15/12/2021, 09:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    send a clear message, give them 2yrs for each of years he was on run. double trouble 8yrs for all the bull happen while he was out.
  • @Island man police (15/12/2021, 11:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    In my book that is not enough time. A more stronger message should be sent.


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