Mugshot of Niah Henry. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — One unrepentant alleged repeat offender must now defend against three separate cases with a total of 16 charges before the court.
Last Friday, March 17, officers of the V.I. Police Department were conducting traffic enforcement in the Nazareth area of the National Park. Around 10:20 p.m., they received information from the VIPD’s Intelligence Unit that there were individuals dealing illegal narcotics in Red Hook, near American Yacht Harbor. They had reportedly seen, on the surveillance cameras in the area, a man sitting in a light-colored BMW making several illegal drug transactions. Police reportedly had recorded him weighing and bagging the substance and receiving money for the transaction.
When the other officers arrived on scene, the man previously identified was spotted walking away from the vehicle in question, and apprehended by the officers. He was placed in handcuffs, and officers spotted from outside the BMW a transparent bag in the center console containing what appeared to be marijuana. This triggered a closer search, which yielded more marijuana, crushed tobacco, and baggies of a white powdery substance which tested positive for cocaine. They also found bags of a white rock substance which tested positive for crack-cocaine. There was also a digital scale and a disposable vape.
During the search of the vehicle, Henry was very vocal, threatening to terrorize the police, punch officers, and spit on them. He was detained and transported to the Richard N. Callwood Command police station for booking.
During a search of his person, police found more loose marijuana, as well as marijuana cigarettes and a lighter. While being processed, Henry reportedly told police that he would go right back to selling drugs after posting bail, as that was how he made a living to feed his children. While in custody, Henry also reportedly punched the glass window of the holding cell he was in.
The marijuana found totaled 5.22 oz while the cocaine and crack-cocaine totaled 1.56 oz. Henry was charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute and possession of hypodermic needles or syringes.
He was also charged with criminal contempt of court, stemming from his arrest in January of this year in the same general location, on similar charges. This most recent arrest reportedly placed him in violation of the terms of his parole set in that matter, and he was held without bail to await his advice of rights hearing in court on Monday.
On the evening of Sunday, March 19, while in custody at the Bureau of Corrections, Henry was charged, apparently in connection with an outstanding arrest warrant for an unrelated matter. Added to his drug charges are counts of simple, first, second and third-degree assault as crimes of domestic violence, two counts of using a dangerous weapon during the commission of a violent crime, brandishing a weapon during a fight, disturbance of the peace by fighting, and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Henry was scheduled to appear for his Advice of Rights hearing on Monday March 20, 2023. Online court records do not suggest that he was able to post bail at time of publication.
