Mugshot of Maurice Anthony Jardin. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — Police have charged a man accused of assaulting his friend with a machete following a disagreement.
On Tuesday, May 10th a man went to the police station to report that he had been assaulted earlier that day. He told police that he had previously called a friend to relay a message to Maurice Anthony Jardin as he did not have Jardin’s telephone number. He explained that he had loaned Jardin a drill about two weeks prior and had told his friend to inform Jardin that he would be passing to collect it.
However, the man said that when he arrived at Jardin’s residence, Jardin accused him of having money for him and rushed at him swinging a machete. He told police that Jardin swung the machete at him, striking him and causing a cut to his upper left hand and stomach. He then left Jardin’s residence and traveled to the police station.
An officer at the police station noted the cuts to the man’s arm and stomach as well as blood on his t-shirt. Police advised the victim to seek medical attention and later made contact with him at the hospital. According to police, during his interview, he stated that he never expected such behavior over a drill.
On Monday, June 27th police traveled to Jardin’s residence to make contact with him. According to the probable cause fact sheet, the officers called out to Jardin and informed him that they had been looking for him. He reportedly replied, “aAre you the officer that has been calling my phone?” to which the police replied yes. Jardin then told the officers that he had not been avoiding them, but was simply scared to go to jail. He also told police that he had filed a report against the victim, who is a longtime friend of 15 years.
Jardin agreed to accompany the officers to the Criminal Investigation Bureau and when asked if he still had the weapon he used to assault his friend, he directed police to his bedroom. Police secured the weapon in the police vehicle and escorted Jardin to CIB. According to police, he provided a statement quite similar to the complainant’s which suggested that there was a disagreement over money owed which got out of control.
Jardin was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with third-degree assault, disturbance of the peace and brandishing and exhibiting a deadly weapon during a crime of violence. Bail was set at $75,000 and he was transferred to the Bureau of Corrections as he was unable to post the sum.
The defendant appeared for an advisement hearing on Wednesday morning where his bail was reduced to $25,000 with a 10 percent provision. The judge stressed that he is to have absolutely no contact with the victim.
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