SECOND BVI MAN CHARGED IN THE SAME WEEK WITH ALIEN SMUGGLING

St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Kamoy King, 26, of Tortola, BVI, was charged on August 31, 2023, with bringing illegal aliens to the United States for private financial gain. King is the second BVI man charged this week with alien smuggling.

According to court documents, on August 30, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations agents were patrolling United States waters when they observed a vessel operated by King enter Haulover Bay, St. John. The vessel did not display any navigational lights as required by law. Agents attempted to stop the vessel by activating their blue police lights and sirens, but King refused to stop the vessel. King eventually complied after agents fired flare warning shots and was taken into custody. U.S. Border Patrol agents stationed at the Haulover Bay trail later discovered four illegal aliens hiding on the beach. Neither King nor the four individuals found on the beach could produce any legal documentation that authorized their presence in the United States.

This case is being investigated by Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operation, and U.S. Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne.

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