ST. THOMAS — A 75-year-old California man is facing a felony charge after authorities say he spent approximately six months on St. Thomas without registering as a sex offender, despite initially intending to relocate to the island.
Kenneth Burford appeared Tuesday before Magistrate Julie Smith Todman, who found probable cause to uphold the charge of failure to register as a sex offender.
His bail was set at $5,500, with $1,000 required in cash to secure his release before trial. The remaining amount may be signed as an unsecured bond.
Burford’s encounter with law enforcement began July 18, when CBP officers contacted him at Cyril E. King Airport as he prepared to leave St. Thomas for Sacramento, California.
Burford told officers that he had stayed at a local resort for approximately two weeks before moving to an apartment in the Raphune Hill area for another two weeks. He spent the remainder of his stay at a residence in Estate Contant.
According to the information provided to authorities, Burford had initially wanted to relocate to St. Thomas but ultimately decided to return to California.
1987 Conviction Led to Registration Charge
Under Virgin Islands law, a person convicted of sexual offenses comparable to those covered under 14 V.I.C. § 1721A who comes to the territory intending to establish residency is required to register as a sex offender.
CBP officers determined that Burford had been convicted of a sex crime in 1987.
Authorities subsequently arrested him and charged him with failing to register as a sex offender.
Following Tuesday’s probable cause determination, Smith Todman imposed conditions governing Burford’s release.
If released from detention, Burford must report in person to the probation office once each week and comply with the other standard conditions of bail imposed by the magistrate.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 28.
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