Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas, USVI. Photo Credit: ERNICE GILBERT, V.I. CONSORTIUM
In a statement released by the office of the United States Attorney Thursday, Delia L. Smith disclosed that 39-year-old Sacramento resident, Joeva Elizabeth Williams, has entered a guilty plea on charges of intending to distribute controlled substances.
The hearing, presided over by U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller, saw Williams concede to the possession with the intention to distribute marijuana and psilocybin, commonly known as psychedelic mushrooms.
The gravity of the offense carries a severe potential penalty, with Williams subject to a maximum of 20 years in federal prison, along with a fine that could reach $1 million. The final sentence will be at the discretion of a federal district court judge, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines among other relevant statutory considerations.
Details from the court documents paint the timeline of the events leading to Williams's arrest. On July 22, 2022, Williams touched down at Cyril E. King Airport on a flight originating from Houston, TX. During routine inspections, a Customs and Border Protection canine unit signaled the detection of narcotics in two pieces of luggage. These were later identified as Williams's property when she claimed them from the baggage area.
A subsequent search by officers unveiled a substantial quantity of illicit substances. They confiscated 37 vacuum-sealed parcels of marijuana, collectively weighing approximately 20 kilograms. In addition, authorities found and seized around 1,900 pills containing psilocybin.
The prosecution of this case falls under the jurisdiction of Assistant United States Attorney Natasha L. Baker. It was brought to light through the collaborative efforts of Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations, highlighting the ongoing commitment of federal agencies to combat illegal narcotics trafficking.
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