Mugshot of James Redmond White, III. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A man on St. Thomas was charged in connection with stealing his partner’s vehicle, trashing her home, and attempting to drive away with her hand stuck in the door. The man admitted to his wrongs and claimed he was given bad drugs.
James Redmond White, III appeared before Magistrate Judge Carolyn Hermon-Percell via teleconference on Wednesday for his advisement hearing.
White was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, destruction of property as an act of domestic violence (DV), and simple assault/ DV.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, while the victim was off island, it was reported to her by a witness that White was smoking marijuana and behaving strangely in her absence. The witness even called 911 in regard to White’s behavior, so he was admitted to the hospital. On the day he was discharged, he ended his relationship with the victim. The victim stated she warned White not to return to her residence or use her vehicle while she was away. According to the victim, White does not possess a driver’s license.
When the victim returned to St. Thomas on Tuesday, August 24, she said she observed that her vehicle was missing, her home trashed, furniture and items in the home broken and inoperable, and broken glass on the floor, the fact sheet said.
Sometime later, the fact sheet said that White returned to the residence driving the victim’s vehicle. While he was sitting in the driver’s seat with the door open, the victim attempted to retrieve the keys from Mr. White. At that point, White closed the vehicle's door on the victim’s right arm and began reversing while her hand was trapped. When she warned him that police were on their way, White was said to quickly exit the vehicle and left on foot.
As White was leaving the area, he was identified by the victim while she was speaking to a police officer.
White was apprehended by police and said, “I was messed up mehn," using local dialect, "someone gave me bad drugs.” He admitted to damaging the victim’s property and assaulting her.
Judge Hermon-Percell ruled on the following release conditions:
- Bail was set at $1,000 with the provision to post 15% or $150
- Prohibited from leaving the STT-STJ district without prior permission of the court
- Surrender all travel documents within 48 hours of release
- Not abuse alcohol or possess/ use any controlled substances
- No direct/ indirect contact with victim
- No unlawful contact with the witness
- Maintain a minimum physical distance of 10 feet from the victim
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