Mugshot of Jeffery T. Howard. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
A St. Thomas man is in custody facing multiple fraud-related charges following a lengthy investigation that police say uncovered the unauthorized use of another individual’s identity to purchase, register, and resell vehicles without consent.
According to the V.I. Police Department, the Economic Crime Unit initiated the investigation in August 2023 after receiving a complaint alleging that Jeffrey T. Howard used the complainant’s name, signature, identification, and business credentials in connection with the purchase of multiple vehicles from Metro Motors.
Investigators determined that Howard fraudulently purchased vehicles using the complainant’s identity, then proceeded to fraudulently register one of the vehicles in the complainant’s name with the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Police further alleged that Howard later sold and transferred the vehicle to another individual without the complainant’s knowledge or consent.
As a result of the findings, an arrest warrant was issued for Howard on December 30, 2025, by a magistrate judge. Bail was set at $100,000.
After being notified of the warrant on February 5, 2026, Howard self-surrendered at the Economic Crime Unit office, police said.
Howard, 65, was placed under arrest and charged with forgery, obtaining money/property by false pretense, identity theft, filing or recording forged instruments, and fraudulent claims upon the government. Following his arrest, he was transported to the Richard Callwood Central Command for processing.
Police said Howard was unable to post bail and was subsequently remanded to the Bureau of Corrections, where he remains pending his Advice of Rights hearing.
The case remains under the jurisdiction of the Virgin Islands Police Department’s Economic Crime Unit.
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