From left to right, mugshots of Lordsel Joseph Casey and his son, Edsel Ohari Casey. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — A St. Croix Educational Complex graduation ceremony took an unexpected turn on Wednesday as two attendees, Lordsel Joseph Casey and Edsel Ohari Casey, were arrested for aggravated assault and battery upon police officers and resisting arrest.
According to a probable cause fact sheet before the court, the event, held at the school's gymnasium, descended into chaos when Lordsel Casey disregarded police instructions and entered restricted areas designated for graduates and the Governor's security stage area. Sgt. Charles Orange, who was on duty, explained that Casey was asked to retreat from the restricted zones several times but eventually became aggressive and physically assaulted the officer.
The altercation escalated when Edsel Casey, Lordsel Casey's son, intervened and physically assaulted Sgt. Orange and Detective Salim Ross, who was on duty in plainclothes, and P/Officer Edith Christopher. After a brief struggle, officers subdued and handcuffed Edsel Casey, who admitted to assaulting Sgt. Orange in a voluntary statement taken later at the police station.
Meanwhile, Lordsel Casey continued to resist arrest and was eventually subdued and handcuffed by several officers. Despite claiming he was unable to breathe during the incident, both Lordsel and Edsel Casey declined medical attention when initially offered, according to the probable case fact sheet. However, Lordsel Casey later requested treatment for pain in his left wrist. He was transported to the Juan Luis Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a sprain and subsequently released.
Following the arrests, both men were transported to the Ann Schrader Command Police Station, where they were read their Miranda rights. They were later transferred to the Wilbur Francis Command for booking and processing by forensic technicians.
Despite the severity of the charges, both Lordsel and Edsel Casey posted bail, set at $1,000 each, and were released pending a formal Advisement of Rights hearing set for Friday, May 19, at the Kingshill Superior Court.
Based on these incidents, the Attorney General's Office is pressing charges against Lordsel Casey for aggravated assault and battery upon a police officer, disobeying orders of a fireman, policeman, and resisting arrest. Similarly, Edsel Casey is being charged with three counts of aggravated assault and battery upon a police officer and resisting arrest.
The charges against the Caseys will depend on the outcome of the hearing at the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands on St. Croix.
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