The VIPD has not yet released a mugshot of the suspects. This story will be updated if one is provided.
ST. THOMAS — Two men were arrested July 13 and charged in connection with the alleged sexual and physical assault of a woman at a St. Thomas nightclub after she declined to dance with one of them.
Tamori Skeete was charged with simple assault and sexual assault as crimes of domestic violence, while Khalen Blyden was charged with first-degree unlawful sexual contact. Both men were also charged with disturbance of the peace.
The woman reported the incident to police in April, telling investigators that it occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. on April 18.
She said she had gone to the nightclub with friends and later met up with her former boyfriend, Mr. Skeete, and his cousin, Mr. Blyden.
According to the woman, Mr. Blyden attempted to dance with her, but she declined. She told police that he continued pressing the matter and began grabbing her inappropriately around her pelvic area.
The woman said she walked away and went to the restroom to escape the unwanted contact.
As she attempted to close the door behind her, she said Mr. Skeete forced his way into the women’s restroom and began questioning her about why she had left the group.
The woman told police that she informed Mr. Skeete that she wanted to calm down and did not feel like talking.
Mr. Skeete allegedly responded by pushing her against the wall with enough force to knock the mirror loose from the bathroom wall.
After he reportedly ignored her request to leave, the woman said she removed her glasses and shoes, placed her telephone on the floor and kneed Mr. Skeete in the groin.
She told police that Mr. Skeete then slapped her in the face and wrapped his hands tightly around her neck, restricting her airway.
During the altercation, another male friend reportedly walked through the hallway near the restrooms and saw what was happening.
The woman told the friend that she was attempting to get away from Mr. Skeete. He helped her gather her belongings from the bathroom floor and leave the nightclub.
She said she went directly to police and filed a report.
The following day, Mr. Skeete reportedly sent his former girlfriend a text message apologizing for his actions.
In May, investigators obtained a witness statement that corroborated the woman’s account of being groped by Mr. Blyden and pushed into the bathroom wall by Mr. Skeete.
Both men denied the allegations against them.
Despite their denials, Mr. Skeete and Mr. Blyden were arrested July 13 and charged.
As of press time, the results of their advice-of-rights hearings, which were held Tuesday, had not been made available to the public.
Both men are scheduled to be arraigned July 31 before Magistrate Julie Toddman Smith.
Advertisements
