Mugshot of Ajaye Thompson. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A 25-year-old man faces potential imprisonment of up to 6 months and a maximum fine of $500 after he presented false identification documents to customs officials.
Ajaye Thompson appeared for a virtual hearing on Friday where he was advised of the charge against him of falsifying licenses or identification cards. Thompson was arrested on November 17 after an officer was dispatched to the Cyril E. King Airport in reference to a possible match of a suspect being sought in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, Thompson was initially detained after Customs and Border Patrol officers positively identified him as a suspect whose face was previously captured on security footage linking him to the scene of matters subject to investigation. The fact sheet does not provide an indication of the nature of the matter in question.
However, the court document does note that as Thompson attempted to clear customs, officers requested his identification which was later determined to be fictitious. It further notes that he initially provided agents with a fake name which he also wrote on his customs declaration form and presented a fictitious Florida driver’s license bearing that name. That document was determined to be fake after officers cross-checked it against the Florida DMV database and did not find any matches in the system.
Upon questioning, Thompson admitted that he used a fake identity and provided his real name as Ajaye Thompson. He was subsequently placed under arrest but was later released on the posting of $500 bail.
At Friday’s hearing, Assistant Attorney General Rob Barchiesi stated no objection to Thompson continuing his release on the previous bail posting, noting that he had appeared and participated in the virtual proceedings. However, Barchiesi did express concern about Thompson posing a potential flight risk, asking that the defendant be required to submit his passport to the court.
Public Defender Julie Todman argued that Thompson did not pose a flight risk as he has been a lifelong resident of the Virgin Islands, despite being a citizen of St. Kitts. The attorney further highlighted that the charge against Thompson is merely a misdemeanor that carries a maximum incarceration of 6 months.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Henry Carr agreed that the defendant does not appear to be a flight risk. While Thompson is not required to submit his passport, he is prohibited from leaving the jurisdiction without prior written court permission. He will be allowed to continue his release on the $500 bail figure which was previously posted.
Thompson will have an opportunity to enter a formal plea to the charges at his arraignment scheduled for December 17th.
