Notorious USVI gang leader & members convicted of murder
Convicted gang leader Paul Girard and nine members of his gang will spend the rest of their lives in prison after being convicted by a jury on the US Virgin Islands on Tuesday for their roles in several murders, robberies and racketeering.
Evidence presented in court showed Girard, aka Bogus, 34, of St Croix, USVI, ordered shootings against rival gang members, as well as individuals he believed, had stolen from or otherwise disrespected the gang.
Girard, who is currently in prison for a separate conviction, was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy, three counts of murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of the use of a firearm resulting in death, three counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of Hobbs Act Robbery, one count of kidnapping in aid of racketeering, and four counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence.
His co-accused, Tyler Eugene, aka Lucc, 24, of St Croix, was convicted of murdering a rival gang member outside a convenience store.
Kareem Harry, aka Trumbull, 34, of St Croix, committed acts of violence on behalf of the gang, including participating in the murder of a victim who was believed to have stolen money from the Girard gang.
Harry also set up the shooting death of a rival gang member outside of the victim’s child’s daycare.
Seven additional defendants indicted in the same case pleaded guilty to various racketeering charges.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division said: “These defendants terrorised the US Virgin Islands through violence and theft.”
“[The] verdicts and the guilty pleas of seven additional co-defendants, in this case, demonstrate that the Department of Justice, and our law enforcement partners, are committed to combating the threat of gang violence.”
US Attorney Gretchen Shappert for the US Virgin Islands stated: “[The] verdict clarifies that the people of the Virgin Islands will not tolerate violent criminal activity directed against their fellow islanders.”
“These convictions mark the dismantlement of the Paul Girard Criminal Enterprise. This was a team effort. We are hugely grateful for the dedication of the prosecution team.”
"The use of violence and intimidation by these gang members to try and assert power over the people of the Virgin Islands failed,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division. “These criminals thought they were untouchable, but today's verdict demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the FBI to investigate and disrupt criminal enterprises like this and demand justice for their victims."
Joseph Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office, added: “There is no greater threat to our nation than violence and fear in our communities.”
“With this verdict, the people of the US Virgin Islands can rest assured in the FBI’s commitment to work aggressively to curtail violence in our streets. I want to thank our local partners for their work on this case and their continued support to the FBI mission.”
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