Jefferson Faustin performing during St. Thomas Carnival Jouvert Morning event in 2019. By. VI CONSORTIUM/REEMY-REEMZ PHOTOGRAPHY
ST. THOMAS — Jefferson Faustin, 31, a local entertainer known as BDJ (Big Daddy Jeff) is facing up to life in prison for the alleged rape of a minor among other crimes, court proceedings made known during Faustin's advisement hearing Monday.
He was charged with first-degree rape, second-degree aggravated rape, first-degree unlawful sexual contact, second-degree unlawful sexual contact and child abuse.
The suspect appeared before Judge Henry Carr via teleconference in the custody of the Bureau of Corrections on Monday for his advisement hearing.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, on July 11, Faustin called the minor’s residence and claimed he was coming by to wait for his girlfriend. Faustin is said to be a friend of the family. After he arrived, the minor let him into the residence and returned to her room. The probable cause fact sheet says Faustin then entered the minor's room right after, undressed and proceeded to rape the minor despite the minor telling him to “stop” and “get off” repeatedly. When asked by the minor why he did it although told to stop, he responded, “I like you,” the fact sheet said.
The minor victim said she was terrified when she was being raped but she was afraid to scream out because she was not sure what Faustin would do to her. The minor victim, overpowered by Faustin, also said she got tired in the process of fighting to stop the rape and eventually "tuned out" of what was happening to her, according to the affidavit.
It was reported by the parent that several weeks prior to the incident, Faustin touched the minor sexually while the parent was at home but in a different room, the affidavit said.
The latest alleged sexual assault was exposed when the victim’s friend told the victim's mother that something happened to her friend, the victim, which led to the minor victim then opening up to her mother to reveal that Faustin had sexually assaulted her, according to the fact sheet. The victim and parent reported Faustin to the V.I.P.D. on Friday, July 16. Once Faustin learned of the allegations, he turned himself in to the authorities on Saturday, July 17 at 9:48 pm, according to a V.I.P.D. news release.
“He is facing a very possible term of incarceration for up to life for the things he’s being accused of doing,” said prosecutor John Barraco. Barraco also believed that Faustin was a flight risk and danger to the community based on the allegations and findings in the probable cause fact sheet.
The court learned in the hearing that Faustin is also employed as a boat captain. Since he will not be able to possess his passport and cannot leave the STT-STJ jurisdiction, his job may be at stake.
Judge Carr responded, “I’m sorry if that’s going to affect his employment, but I’m not going to risk him getting on a boat and going elsewhere outside the jurisdiction... he cannot be brought outside the reach of the law of the Virgin Islands."
In light of all the evidence presented in the probable cause fact sheet and the hearing, bail was set at $75,000 cash or property, or both, without the provision to post 10 percent.
If Faustin is able to post bail, pre-trial release conditions are as follows:
- Weekday curfew and house arrest on the weekend
- Electronic monitoring
- Cannot leave the STT-STJ jurisdiction
- No contact with the alleged victim/ family of the victim/ the family friend who reported the accusations to the family
- Must surrender passport and driver’s license.
Faustin has been part of a number of bands in the territory, including the Venomous Poizon Band until 2016 and has most recently played with Daddy Jones and the Crew (DJATC), even as he has pursued a solo career.
Detectives are urging anyone with any information regarding this alleged crime to call 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340) 774-2211 extension 5610, or send anonymously tip through Crime Stoppers USVI here.
