From left to right, mugshots of Angela Kunkel and Joshua Watson. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A couple embroiled in a contentious relationship were arrested and charged with domestic violence offenses following a landlord's 911 call on Monday morning.
According to police reports, officers were dispatched to a property in Frenchman Bay just before 11 am. The landlord had received several text messages from tenant Angela Kunkel, urging him to call the police. Although he hadn't heard any disturbances, the landlord complied with the request, alerting law enforcement to the situation.
Upon arrival, officers interviewed Kunkel and her boyfriend, Joshua Watson, separately. Kunkel disclosed that she and Watson had been in a protracted dispute, culminating in an altercation last Thursday. She reported that after recording video of Watson damaging property, he had assaulted her in an attempt to seize her phone, resulting in its destruction.
Kunkel detailed her attempts to call 911 from the bathroom while Watson attempted to gain entry, ultimately confiscating the phone. Since then, she claimed the couple had continued to argue, with Watson criticizing her parenting and suggesting she find alternative accommodation.
Contrarily, Watson depicted the couple's disagreements as revolving around the custody of their young daughter. He accused Kunkel of physical aggression, including pulling a chain from his neck and hurling a glass piggy bank, leading to a laceration on his left foot. Watson alleged that Kunkel had even wielded a sheathed hatchet, striking him and causing him to fall.
Police records indicate that this is not the first instance of domestic discord between the couple, with officers having been summoned previously. On this occasion, both Kunkel and Watson displayed physical injuries and officers observed property damage, including a battered bathroom door and a destroyed Nintendo Switch console.
Following their investigation, both Kunkel and Watson were arrested and charged under domestic violence laws. Watson was charged with simple assault and destruction of property, and Kunkel with third-degree assault and destruction of property.
Due to domestic violence laws in the territory, both were held in custody without bail until their court hearings on Wednesday. There, Kunkel was released on a $1,000 unsecured bond, while Watson was required to pay 15 percent of his $1,000 bail in cash before release.
As part of their conditions of release, both must check in with the probation office twice weekly and coordinate child care and visitation through a third party. Their next scheduled court appearances are set for June 16.
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