According to court records, on February 7, 2025, Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations agents observed Hodge operating a vessel travelling from VI waters and later arriving at Annaberg Bay, St. John, without navigational lights. Photo: Google Earth

Several people are now before the District Court after U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents interrupted an attempted smuggling operation on St. John. Photo: VIC

Also charged were Junia Orelus, 32, Clawens Destin, 18, and Jean Louis Martellus, 27, all of Haiti, and Eudys Santana Santos, 33, of the Dominican Republic, with unlawful entry into the United States.

According to court records, on February 7, 2025, Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations agents observed Hodge operating a vessel travelling from VI waters and later arriving at Annaberg Bay, St. John, without navigational lights.

Illegal aliens

The agents intercepted and boarded Hodge’s vessel and found Orelus, Destin and Metellus, all illegal aliens, onboard.

Santana Santos, also an illegal alien, was found at Annaberg Bay waiting to provide transportation to at least one of the illegal migrant onboard Hodge’s vessel.

This case is being investigated by Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations and Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter.

United States Attorney Smith reminds the public that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

See previous article published February 27, 2025

Vessel from VI detained in USVI smuggling interdiction

-Haiti; St. Kitts & Nevis citizens among those detained

Several people are now before the District Court after U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents interrupted an attempted smuggling operation on St. John.

On February 7, CBP Air Marine Operations (AMO) reportedly encountered Eudys Santana Santos waiting in a Suzuki SUV near Annaberg Beach.

At the same time, agents also intercepted a vessel transporting four individuals which was coming from the British Virgin Islands and heading towards the same location.

As the vessel was being interdicted, AMO agents on land noticed the SUV Santos was driving quickly leave the area. Despite being pursued by law enforcement agents with flashing police lights, Santos drove for approximately half a mile before being stopped and detained.

Detainees transported to St. Thomas

Santos, as well as the occupants of the vessel, were transported to St. Thomas. He reportedly told Homeland Security investigators that he was a citizen and national of the Dominican Republic, and had entered the territory illegally from the BVI approximately two years ago.

The occupants detained on the vessel were Clawens Destin, Jean Louise Metellus, and Junia Orelus, as well as two other individuals yet to be named by law enforcement. According to documents submitted to court, one of the yet-to-be-identified individuals is an American citizen, while the other were citizens of Haiti and St. Kitts & Nevis.

Defendants are now subject to house arrest while awaiting trial in the District Court of the Virgin Islands.