United States Attorney Delia L. Smith has announced charges against Jose Miguel Hodge, a 31-year-old from the British Virgin Islands, for alien smuggling. Additionally, Junia Orelus, 32, Clawens Destin, 18, and Jean Louis Martellus, 27, all from Haiti, along with Eudys Santana Santos, 33, of the Dominican Republic have been charged with unlawful entry into the United States.
Court records indicate that on February 7, 2025, agents from Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations observed Hodge operating a vessel traveling from British Virgin Islands waters to Annaberg Bay in St. John without navigational lights. Upon interception and boarding of Hodge's vessel by the agents, Orelus, Destin and Metellus were found onboard as illegal aliens. Meanwhile, Santana Santos was discovered at Annaberg Bay waiting to provide transportation to at least one of the illegal migrants on Hodge’s vessel.
The investigation is being conducted by Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter.
United States Attorney Smith emphasized that "a criminal complaint is merely an allegation," reminding the public that "all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
