Mugshot of Ervin Noel Sr. By. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — A man appeared before a V.I. Superior Court judge on Monday after being seen on surveillance assaulting a male victim at a gas station.
Ervin Noel Sr. was arrested and charged on Sunday with simple assault and battery after a report of an assault was made at Freedom City Service Station.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, on Sunday police made contact with the victim who stated that he was shopping for groceries at the gas station when an unknown man, later identified as Noel approached him and slapped him twice in the face. Noel then asked the victim if he wanted another slap. The victim stated that he walked away and went home.
Police traveled to the service station to obtain video footage of the incident. Upon arrival, they made contact with the owner who showed law enforcement video of the incident.
In it, the victim is seen sitting under a garage at the gas station when Noel approached the victim. The victim reached out his hand to greet Noel but Noel pushed away the man’s hand, according to court documents. The two men engaged in what appeared to be a conversation. Noel was then seen walking away, but he turned back and struck the victim in the face with the palm of his hand. The suspect was also cursing at the victim in the video.
Noel was still at the gas station when police arrived, and law enforcement asked him to explain why he assaulted the victim. He told police that the victim had disrespected his godfather so he struck him twice in the face.
Noel was then placed under arrest.
In court on Monday, a judge ruled that Noel would be allowed to post $500 cash to secure his release. He is to have no contact, directly or indirectly with the complainant or any witnesses in the matter.
