BVI Native Faces Up To 5 Years For Failing To Stop Vessel In USVI
Mr. William Malone, a BVI national is facing up to five years in prison after failing to stop his vessel when he was ordered to do so by United States Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine (CBP-AMO) agents while he was in St. John, USVI.
According to media reports, the incident and subsequent arrest occurred on December 28, 2021 in Coral Bay.
He was charged with failure to heave to, under 18 U.S.C. §2237(a)(1), and if he is convicted he faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison.
The VI Consortium said Mr. Malone was operating his boat in the neighbouring island when CBP-AMO agents “activated their blue lights and sirens to stop Malone’s vessel, and verbally ordered him to stop the vessel. Malone did not comply. Agents fired several warning rounds and, when Malone did not stop, fired a disabling round into his engine. Malone then turned off the engine, after travelling for a short distance.”
The investigations are being carried out by CBP-AMO and Homeland Security, and U.S. Attorney Adam Sleeper is handling the matter in court.
He was charged with failure to heave to, under 18 U.S.C. §2237(a)(1), and if he is convicted he faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison.
The VI Consortium said Mr. Malone was operating his boat in the neighbouring island when CBP-AMO agents “activated their blue lights and sirens to stop Malone’s vessel, and verbally ordered him to stop the vessel. Malone did not comply. Agents fired several warning rounds and, when Malone did not stop, fired a disabling round into his engine. Malone then turned off the engine, after travelling for a short distance.”
The investigations are being carried out by CBP-AMO and Homeland Security, and U.S. Attorney Adam Sleeper is handling the matter in court.
