Three men accused of assisting 28 illegal immigrants
Two men accused of illegal entry as well as assisting and harbouring 28 illegal immigrants in the territory are facing a possible fine of up to $100,000 or 10-years imprisonment if found guilty of the crimes.
The two men, 31-year-old Danny Deniville of Hope Hill and 27-year-old Kaseani Skelton of West End, were denied bail by Magistrate Tamia Richards when they appeared in the Magistrate’s Court today.
Another accused, Jerome Hopkins Jr of Baughers Bay, was only charged with assisting and harbouring illegal immigrants was granted bail.
Hopkins Jr received bail in the sum of $40,000 and he was ordered by Magistrate Richards to provide the exact location of his house so they can have a GPS image of the location. He also has to abide by a daily curfew of 6 pm to 6 am.
The court was told that Deniville and Skelton reportedly assisted with the illegal entry of 28 persons on November 20, 2021. It was said the immigrants had paid for passage from St Maarten to St John in the US Virgin Islands.
However, the four-hour journey they were promised turned into 18 hours after the boat developed mechanical issues. Instead of going to St John, the boat landed in BVI waters and the boat captain contacted both Deniville and Skelton for help to transport them onto land.
The 28 persons were then allegedly transported to the residence of Hopkins Jr in Baughers Bay.
The court was told that Skelton and Deniville indicated to the immigrants it would cost an additional $1,000 for the journey from BVI to St John. The prosecution alleged several Brazilian nationals were able to pay the money and as a result, they only spent one night in the territory and was transported to St John the following day.
The court was further told Hopkins Jr made several visits to his property and charged $100 per person for each night of occupancy. It was also alleged that the three accused colluded to get additional money from the remaining immigrants.
The prosecution alleged Deniville collected cash via Western Union on behalf of the immigrants. Skelton also handed over money collected from the immigrants to Hopkins Jr according to the prosecution.
The prosecution noted there was a growing concern between the three men of some of the immigrant’s inability to pay for the cost of housing and the money for the trip to St John.
The court was also informed that Hopkins Jr had reported to the police that he rented his apartment to two Spanish men and he discovered they had Haitian nationals staying there illegally.
When the police conducted a raid on the apartment, the court was told they caught 14 immigrants and three had escaped. There were seven Venezuelans, six Haitians and one Peruvian found at the premises in Baughers Bay.
The immigrants, who were taken in custody, gave evidence to the police and identified Deniville and Skelton as the men who brought them on Virgin Islands land, the court was told.
The two men, according to the prosecution, had partially admitted to some of the offences while being questioned by police.
The court was told that the Crown is looking to bring an additional charge against Deniville — obtaining property by deception. The accused is said to have been on bail for an unrelated matter in relation to breach of curfew and illegal entry. Stephen Daniels is his attorney.
Skelton and Hopkins Jr are being represented by Leroy Jones and Valerie Stephens-Gordon, respectively. The matter has been adjourned until January 12 when the accused men will answer to the charges.
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That’s how drugs, guns and hitmen can easily enter the BVI. And its not just starting…..its been going on, some people just act dumb and deny it.
Corruption is REAL, Drug Trade is REAL, Human Smuggling is REAL, Money Laundering is REAL
Crime is real everywhere. Any of those involved are elected members of Cabinet? Cart your COI a**.
Everyday bucket go ah well one day the bottom will drop out
“who don’t hear will feel”
STFU
Listen, there is no need to hold no court date and waste more time, just makeup 3 cots at Her Majesty’s Palace for these criminals and call it a day.
Were they not born of a woman, causing these people to endanger their lives and furthermore placing more burden on the place they call HOME…jeez mehn, more reasons for people to hate BVIslanders, love of money will kill you greedy folks!!
Stfu nobody more criminal than you.
If it was one of your child would you have said the same thing? Damn jackass you be.
How the person who was housing those people get bail. That’s some messed up s**t. I wonder who the boat captain was that called for assistance after the initial boat developed engine problems and why were the immigrants not taken to a hotel. Stupes
The boat did develop any problems he knows we lapse in the BVI and it would take some more planning to get into the USVI
They were obviously not taken to a hotel so that the three accused could make more money off of them. If they took them to a hotel how would that benefit them?
This is human trafficking. Lock them up for life and confiscate ALL of their assets. They preyed on the vulnerable without care. Let them suffer, or, if truly repentant, spend the rest of their lives in reflection and trying to make amends.
Jerome in problems again and Danny with the same shi. again.
they can still have connections to them / the (COI ) HAS TOUCHED YOUR SOUL
shared boy friggin up a long time now
Seems like the harbourer rat on the others because he was not getting his funds, but there must be a reason why they were taken to that location as opposed to Maria’s by the sea, village cay or treasure isle etc. All three of them will share the consequences.