Mugshot of Kyan Crooke. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A man could face jail time and a significant fine after being accused of cyberstalking the mother of his child.
Kyan Crooke is charged with cyber stalking and harassment, disturbance of the peace, contempt of court and violation of a restraining order. The offense of cyber stalking and harassment is punishable by up to one year behind bars and a fine not exceeding $1,000. Meanwhile, Crooke is facing a maximum fine of $6, 000 and imprisonment of up to two years if convicted of violating a restraining order.
According to police, on December 30th a woman presented herself at the station and frustratingly expressed that Kyan Crooke, the father of her minor daughter was in violation of a restraining order filed against him. The woman explained that Crooke was served with a copy of the order on December 21st, 2021 and it clearly instructed him to have no direct or indirect contact with her. The order which was presented to police also grants her temporary custody of their daughter until the matter can be heard by the Superior Court on January 10th.
However, she reported that on December 30th Crooke repeatedly called her phone and she eventually answered after she became annoyed by the constant ringing. She reportedly told him that he could not be calling her continuously as she was at work and disconnected the call. However, she said Crooke continued to call her throughout the day and later offered to buy her lunch after she answered another call. She refused his offer and begged him to stop calling her phone but he continued up until around 6:00 p.m. when she answered another call. He then informed her that he was at the police station reporting an incident regarding their daughter and yelled at her making allegations regarding the child’s safety. At the time of making her report the woman told police that she was disturbed and frustrated and wanted the situation under control.
According to police, they were unsuccessful in their attempts to contact and locate Crooke. However, the woman contacted police again on January 1st and reported that Crooke had persistently called her and sent several voice messages via Facebook which she ignored. She filed another police report that same day and also returned to the station on Sunday to report that Crooke had posted a live video on Facebook defaming her, but later deleted it. He was located by police later that day and arrested and charged.
When Crooke appeared virtually before judge Paula Norkaitis on Monday, Assistant V.I. Attorney General Brenda Scales requested that bail be set at $5,000. However, attorney Julie Todman asked that the defendant be released on an unsecured bond, noting that while he has prior arrests, there have been no convictions. Todman also expressed that Crooke believes the proceedings against him are retaliation for his allegations regarding abuse of his minor child.
In May 2020, Crooke was charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the stabbing death of Mendel Felix.
Judge Norkaitis would later set bail at $2,000 with no 10 % provision and stressed that the accused must stay away from the complainant completely. He has been ordered to not have any communication with her which includes electronic means.
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