Two St. Thomas Men Charged with Conspiracy, Carjacking and Brandishing a Firearm During A Crime Of Violence

St. Thomas, USVI- United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that an information was filed on July 22, 2020 charging Jahvid Alexander and Jestus Francis with federal and territorial offenses, including conspiracy, carjacking, robbery, drug possession, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

According to the information and other court documents, on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at approximately 11:00 p.m., two female victims reported an armed carjacking. Virgin Islands Police Department officers responded, obtained a description of the car and immediately directed police units to follow the suspected stolen vehicle. The vehicle and a blue Ford truck were observed traveling on Nadir Hill, a dead end road. Officers positioned themselves at that location and approximately 20 minutes later, the blue Ford truck was instructed by officers to pull over. The two suspects were located in the truck, along with stolen property from the victims, the keys belonging to the stolen car, two black masks, a loaded firearm, and other items linking the suspects to the offense. The stolen vehicle was located a short distance away. Video surveillance of the Havensight area, from which the car was stolen, shows the blue truck minutes before the crime circling and turning into the parking lot where the victims were located.

A detention hearing for Alexander is scheduled for July 27, 2020 and for Francis on July 29, 2020, before the Honorable Ruth Miller.

United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that an information is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Federal
Bureau of Investigation.