Mugshot of V.I. National Guard Airman Aaron Henry Photo Credit: VIPD
ST. CROIX — V.I. Attorney General Denise George announced early Monday the filing of formal charges against 23-year-old Aaron Henry for the alleged rape of a 17-year-old minor. The V.I. Department of Justice (D.O.J.) news release revealed the victim's age for the first time, information previously withheld by the Virgin Islands Police Department.
V.I.P.D. officers arrested Henry, a V.I. National Guard (V.I.N.G.) airman, on August 27 on an arrest warrant issued by the V.I. Superior Court. V.I.N.G. on Saturday acknowledged the arrest and said it was taking "appropriate measures in accordance with all applicable law and Air Force regulations."
On August 28 D.O.J. filed in the V.I. Superior Court a criminal information charging Henry, a resident of Stoney Ground, with four felonies including first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual contact, first-degree assault and second-degree aggravated rape.
Henry was advised of his rights and arraigned in V.I. Superior Court on August 28. He entered pleas of not guilty on all charges, according to D.O.J.
Citing a V.I.P.D. affidavit, D.O.J. said that on July 23 the 17-year-old victim, who was accompanied by an adult, went to the Wilbur Francis Command Police Station to file a report. The minor stated that she was sexually assaulted by Henry at a location in La Grande Princesse while attending a house party with some friends on July 18. She stated that Henry physically restrained her and forcibly perpetrated an act of sexual intercourse upon her without her consent despite her resistance and demands that he stop.
According to D.O.J., based on the facts and information obtained as a result of the V.I.P.D. investigation, the V.I. Superior Court found probable cause and issued the warrant for Henry’s arrest.
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Bail was initially set as at $150,000 pursuant to the warrant and Judge Ernest E. Morris later issued a pretrial release order releasing the defendant from custody after posting $5,000 upon the posting of property, according to D.O.J.
Henry was also ordered to surrender his passport, abide by a daily curfew from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. when working, and reside with a third-party custodian. Additionally, Henry was ordered to abide by several court-imposed bail conditions, including no contact with any victim, witness, or co-defendants in this case, according to D.O.J.
Ms. George reminded the public that any person charged with a crime in the Virgin Islands is considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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