Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

STT businessman accused of having criminal proceeds denied bail

STT businessman accused of having criminal proceeds denied bail

A St Thomas businessman pleaded not guilty to possession of criminal proceeds when he appeared in the Magistrate Courts on Monday, March 14.

Keyon Smith, a United States citizen, was charged with having $83,732 in his possession which, according to the court, was in whole or part, indirectly or directly proceeds of criminal conduct. Smith was arrested on March 6, 2022.

After Smith answered to the charge, his attorney resubmitted a bail application which was denied by Magistrate Khadeen Palmer. In the bail application, his attorney said there is a surety on standby who Smith would stay with until his trial was completed.

The lawyer said usually the court gives a six-to-nine-month sentence if a person was found guilty of the charge brought against Smith. He added that the court’s hectic schedule would mean Smith would be on remand for a while and he would essentially have served his time.

The attorney also noted the police already had Smith’s passport and this would reduce the likelihood of the defendant fleeing to St Thomas once he received bail.

Smith also addressed the court and begged the Magistrate to grant him bail. He said when he came to the BVI, it was never his intention to be mixed up in anything that would have him arrested.

The defendant also told the court if he was granted bail, he would be present for all his trial and he would remain with his surety until the trial was completed and the court made a decision.

Insufficient social ties to BVI


Meanwhile, the prosecution objected to bail citing that the defence counsel did not establish enough social ties to the BVI to guarantee Smith would attend his trial and answer to the charge brought against him.

The prosecution said the court would need more information on the surety, and even in that case, the surety could not guarantee that Smith would not return to the USVI where the BVI does not have jurisdiction.

In her explanation for the rejection of the bail application, Magistrate Palmer said the lack of social ties to the territory was the main factor.
She said the BVI has a porous border and regardless of whether the police have Smith’s passport, he could still leave the territory. Magistrate Palmer advised Smith to take the bail application to the High Court to see if they will be more favourable to the application.

She also told the defendant she would make a special provision to have his trial on a Friday, as the court does not usually sit on Fridays. Magistrate Palmer said since Smith is not a resident here and he is a businessman, she will try to get the matter heard quickly.

The trial date was set for March 25, 2022.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×