From left to right, mugshots of Kenyetta Riddick and Andrew John. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — The V.I. Police Department's the Economic Crime Unit on Thursday announced the arrest of two individuals, Kenyetta Riddick and Andrew John for their alleged involvement in fraudulently obtaining money from the Government of the Virgin Islands' Covid Economic Stimulus account.
This development follows an investigation initiated on June 9, 2023, after a complaint was filed by the Office of Management and Budget.
The investigation, which involved internal audits by the Department of Finance and OMB, revealed that over a period of months, a total of $500,000 was illegally withdrawn from the 2020 GVI Covid Economic Stimulus Account.
Arrest warrants for Riddick, aged 56, and John, aged 43, were obtained on February 2, 2024. Both individuals were subsequently arrested on February 7, 2024. Riddick was detained by U.S. Customs & Border Protection at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix, while John was taken into custody at the Police Administration Building.
According to the VIPD, Riddick and John have been charged with multiple offenses, including Criminally Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, participating in frauds on creditors, obtaining money by false pretense, fraudulent claims upon the government, access to computer for fraudulent purposes, and grand larceny. Each has been set a bail of $100,000.
Unable to post bail, both Riddick and John were processed and remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Facility. They are awaiting their Advise of Rights hearing.
