Mugshot of Anson Gallaway. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS — Anson Gallaway, 48, of Estate Frydendal, has been sentenced to five years’ probation for defrauding 12 families in St. Thomas and St. Croix of more than $650,000 in a prefabricated housing scheme, according to V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea.
Gallaway pleaded guilty on April 30, 2025, to obtaining money by false pretense in V.I. Superior Court. Prosecutors said that between February 2020 and December 2021, Gallaway, operating under GHL Home Innovations LLC, accepted payments ranging from just over $1,000 to more than $150,000 per household to construct prefabricated homes but failed to deliver on the contracts.
The total loss to victims reached $656,911.51. Before entering his plea, Gallaway repaid nearly $100,000 in restitution, followed by another $120,000 before sentencing. He still owes $439,911.51 and must make monthly restitution payments of at least $4,000, to be distributed quarterly to the victims.
“This defendant exploited the hopes of families seeking affordable housing,” Attorney General Rhea said. “This judgment ensures accountability, begins the process of rebuilding for the victims of these deceptive and corrupt business practices, and sends a clear message that those who exploit our residents for personal gain will be held accountable."
Rhea also commended the work of V.I. DOJ Acting Deputy Attorney General and Director of the White-Collar Crime Unit Patricia Lynn Pryor, and the Economic Crimes Unit of the Virgin Islands Police Department, including Detectives Melissa Rogers, Angela Herbert, Tiffany Tyson, and Ruchella Samuel, for their roles in the investigation and prosecution.
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