Mugshot of Matthew Gregg. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — A man is facing domestic violence-related charges after police said he assaulted his wife while staying at the Carambola Beach Resort when she confronted him about alleged infidelity during the couple’s stay on St. Croix.
According to police, Matthew Gregg and his wife were on island with the intention of purchasing real estate for a planned future relocation. The two were staying at the hotel during their time on St. Croix.
On April 19, the couple was at a gathering in Christiansted with family and friends when the wife’s sister-in-law spoke with her about Gregg’s apparent infidelity.
The woman told police that after she and her husband returned to the Carambola Beach Resort, Gregg fell asleep. She said she then used the opportunity to read messages on his phone and learned that he had been having affairs with two other women. After discovering the messages, she said she decided to wake him and confront him.
According to the woman, she requested a divorce and immediately called the realtor to halt all ongoing transactions. While she was on the phone, Gregg allegedly approached her and covered her mouth and nose with one hand while wrapping the other around her throat, applying pressure and restricting her airway.
She told police that he then pushed her facedown onto the bed, further cutting off her air supply, for about 30 seconds. During that time, she said she could not breathe and feared for her life. At one point during the incident, he allegedly threw her phone over the balcony. The woman also told police that during the assault, Gregg kept shouting that she was going to ruin their life.
Officers observed a bruise under the woman’s left eye, which she said was caused by the force of her husband’s hand over her face. Police also reported seeing additional bruises around her neck and body that they said were consistent with her statement.
Gregg, according to police, accused his wife of having a “mental health disorder” and said that she woke him up and “freaked out” over accusations of cheating. He reportedly admitted to throwing the phone over the balcony but denied assaulting her.
In the arrest report submitted to court, police noted that Gregg referred to his wife using a derogatory slur for women while speaking with officers.
Gregg was ultimately arrested and charged with second-degree assault and simple assault as crimes of domestic violence. He was also charged with disturbing the peace by fighting.
He was remanded into custody pending his first court appearance, which is scheduled for Wednesday morning before Magistrate Yolan Brow Ross.
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