United States Attorney Delia L. Smith has announced that Miguel Marrero, a 52-year-old resident of St. Croix, has pleaded guilty to several charges related to a shooting incident. The plea was entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson III and includes charges of Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and two counts of Assault in the First Degree. Marrero could face up to life imprisonment pending sentencing by a federal district judge who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The incident occurred on July 4, 2024, at the Candido Guadalupe Terrace housing community in St. Croix. According to court documents, Marrero's minor son was involved in an altercation with a minor female resident. The female's mother intervened and allegedly struck Marrero during the confrontation. As she attempted to leave, Marrero shot her in the back and subsequently shot the minor female in her leg and ankle as she fled. The mother suffered significant injuries requiring medical evacuation off-island.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel H. Huston following investigations by Homeland Security Investigations and the Virgin Islands Police Department. It falls under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, which aims to tackle violent crime through collaboration among various law enforcement agencies and community leaders.
For more details on Project Safe Neighborhoods: https://www.justice.gov/psn
