Mugshot of Keithley Jones. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — A 52-year-old man appeared before a judge in the V.I. Superior Court on Friday to face rape and child abuse charges.
Keithley Jones was arrested on charges of first-degree aggravated, first-degree unlawful sexual contact, and child abuse.
The arrest follows a report of a possible rape by the victim and her mother, who were present at the Juan F. Luis Hospital on March 12.
According to documents before the court, the victim was interviewed in the presence of her mother where she told police that she was being raped by an adult male relative, identified as Jones. The victim stated that the alleged incidents, which she said started two years ago, began with hugs but later grew to sexual acts.
The process of providing information to her mother about the incident took several steps. The victim first wrote a letter about the alleged abuse and provided it to a sibling, who then gave it to their mother. Once the mother learned of the alleged rape and child abuse, she transported her daughter to the Juan F. Luis Hospital for an examination.
The examination showed no signs of abrasions, lacerations or trauma to the vagina. No rape kit was conducted because the victim stated that she was not penetrated, according to the probable cause fact sheet.
Investigations revealed that the incidents began when Jones started being extremely friendly by hugging the minor, however he initially would not touch her inappropriately, according to the probable cause fact sheet. It further states that Jones bought the minor food and gave her money secretly without her mother's knowledge. The victim said Jones would call her to his house and touch the private areas of her body. Those incidents would later lead to further sexual acts.
The minor said she never told anyone because Jones had advised her against it, and that no one would know.
On March 14, contact was made with Jones via telephone to schedule an interview about the allegations made against him. He told police that he would contact his attorney and would return their call.
An interview was scheduled for March 21, but Jones did not show. When contacted by police, he said his attorney had court hearings and would not be able to attend. Police asked Jones whether he would provide a statement, however Jones said his attorney advised him against doing so.
In court on Friday, a judge ruled that Jones would be allowed to post $1,000 with the remainder of the $50,000 bail requirement to be posted as an unsecured bond. Upon posting, he would be released to a third-party custodian.
Jones is barred from leaving St. Croix without the court's written permission and must surrender his passport. He must report to the Office of Probation every Tuesday and stay at least 1,000 ft away from the alleged victim at all times. Jones is prohibited from having contact with the minor.
