St. John and British Virgin Islands Residents Guilty of Major Drug Trafficking Charges

AFTER A FOUR—day trial before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Curtis Gomez, a federal jury on St. Thomas convicted St. John residents Jerome Potter, James Stephens, and Kassar Chitolie, along with British Virgin Islands resident Earl Skelton. The verdict was announced today by United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Joseph Campbell, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge Pedro J. Janer, Acting United States Marshal Cheryl Jacobs and Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) Commissioner Henry W. White.

The four defendants were convicted of drug trafficking conspiracy; possession of cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana with intent to distribute; and use of communication facilities in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities. Potter and Stephens each face a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment and $10,000,000 in fines; Skelton and Chitolie each face a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment and $1,000,000 in fines.

“Drug trafficking continues to be a problem in our community, and we are committed to devoting significant resources to combat this problem.” U.S. Attorney Sharpe said.

Evidence presented at trial established that from before June 18, 2010 until May 6, 2011, Potter, Skelton, Stephens, and Chitolie conspired among themselves and with numerous other individuals in bringing large sums of cocaine and marijuana into, and distributing the same, within the United States Virgin Islands. This also included converting some of the cocaine into cocaine base (crack) for distribution.

The investigation culminated in an elaborate “sting” operation whereby Potter and Skelton, both major suppliers of cocaine, were arrested in a “go fast” motor boat off the coast of St. John as they awaited delivery of what they intended to be 300 kilograms of cocaine. Stephens and Chitolie were arrested subsequently.

U.S. Attorney Sharpe commended the efforts of the FBI, DEA, USMS, and VIPD who investigated the case and the efforts of the National Park Service, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, who provided significant assistance and support during the investigation. In announcing the convictions, U.S. Attorney Sharpe praised the efforts of Assistant United States Attorneys Delia L. Smith, Nolan D. Paige, and Kim R. Lindquist, who prosecuted the case.