Mugshot of Jamoye Harriette. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — A man has been ordered to remain at least 1000 feet from the mother of his child after he allegedly choked her until she briefly passed out.
Jamoye Harriette has been charged with second-degree assault and simple assault and battery, both categorized as acts of domestic violence. He is also charged with disturbing the peace by fighting. If convicted of the offense of second-degree assault, he faces up to 10 years behind bars and a fine of not more than $1000. Harriette will also be required to undergo a batterer’s intervention program.
The mother of Harriette’s child told police that around midnight on January 9th, she was hanging out with a male acquaintance who dropped her off at her mother’s apartment. When she entered the area, she noticed that Harriette was leaving. However, she stated that he saw her in the car with her friend, turned his vehicle around and drove back into her neighborhood where he parked. She recounted that she exited her friend’s car and was approaching her home when Harriette called and asked, “was that you in the car with some dude?” She responded yes and he hung up the phone. However, as she walked to her apartment she realized that he was following her and shortly after she entered, he also entered and started packing his personal belongings, refusing to speak to her.
The woman said Harriette started to punch her in the face and head with his fist after an argument. She told police that she tried to block his punches with her arms but he grabbed her by the throat with one hand and squeezed. The woman says she passed out for a short period and when she regained consciousness Harriette was still there, cursing and holding her by the arm. She then ran and hid under a table while she called for help. Harriette then left the residence without further incident.
The responding officer observed the victim with bruising and redness to her neck, as well as swelling to the left side of her face. She also spoke with a hoarse voice and complained of pain in her jaw area. Officers subsequently made contact with Harriette who declined to provide a statement after he was advised of his rights. He did, however, admit to having a physical altercation with the victim.
At his Monday morning advisement hearing, attorney Amelia Joseph requested that any bail set for Harriette should be unsecured. Joseph asserted that the defendant would stay away from the victim and the residence where the alleged incident took place. The attorney also stressed that the accused has no prior arrests and convictions.
Meanwhile, Assistant Attorney General Amie Simpson requested that bail be set at $15,000 because of the injuries sustained by the victim.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Ernest Morris set bail in the form of an unsecured bond valued at $15,000. As a condition of his release, Harriette must provide the court with an address where he will reside and is forbidden from leaving the territory without the permission of the court. He has been prohibited from entering the residence where the incident took place and is barred from having any direct or indirect contact with the mother of his child. Moreover, he has been ordered to maintain a distance of at least 1000 feet from her at all times.
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