Mugshot of Dexter Teschiera. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A St. Thomas resident originally from St. Vincent was charged with rape and assault of a minor that began around May of this year. If convicted, the charges upon him carry up to life imprisonment.
Dexter Teschiera, 43, —who claims that he identifies as tribal sovereign citizen Makurija Sakatu—appeared before Magistrate Judge Henry Carr, III via teleconference while in the custody of the Bureau of Corrections on Monday for his advisement hearing.
Teschiera was charged with first-degree aggravated rape, first-degree unlawful sexual contact, second-assault, third-assault, aggravated child abuse and neglect, and first-degree assault — all acts of domestic violence.
On Friday, August 6, a minor reported an assault that took place on August 2 as a result of an argument. She also reported that Teschiera repeatedly sexually assaulted her.
According to the fact sheet, the argument on August 2 resulted in the suspect grabbing the minor by the throat, lifting her in the air and slamming her body down on the counter. When she told the suspect’s girlfriend that she was in pain and needed to go to the hospital, she was told to use an arm sling. No one in the home took her to the hospital, so she decided to call the police on August 6 as the minor said that she was in tremendous pain and no one in the house cared enough to do anything about it, the fact sheet said. An exam by the emergency room revealed that the minor had a broken collarbone from the incident. She was released into the custody of the V.I. Department of Human Services.
In reference to the sexual acts done against the minor, prosecuting attorney Brenda Scales said, “It is heinous. It’s unspeakable. With respect to the assault on [the minor] and the broken collarbone and the manner in which he did it, it shows beyond dangerousness. It shows a callousness.” Not only did Scales consider him a danger to the community, she also said was a flight risk since Teschiera faces up to life in prison on just one charge, she said.
“These are some substantial charges and jail time that this defendant faces that would give the court concern as to whether or not he may flee the jurisdiction,” Judge Carr said in agreement with the prosecution.
The girlfriend of the suspect was proposed by Attorney Alexia Furlow as a third-party custodian for Teschiera, should he post bail and be released. However, that request was denied by Judge Carr as facts in the probable cause fact sheet said that she refused to help the victim. Additionally, she refused to give a statement to police.
Judge Carr ruled on the following release conditions:
- $150,000 bail posted in property and/ cash
- 24/7 house arrest with electronic monitoring
- Cannot leave the STT-STJ jurisdiction
- Prohibited from being in the vicinity or presence of any minor children
- Surrender tribal documents, passports, and driver’s license to the court
- Reside with a third-party custodian approved by the court
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