Mugshot of Jenelle Jackson. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS — A woman police describe as a “well-known” mental patient is facing criminal charges after spitting on a police officer during her detention.
According to court documents, in July 14, just after 7:00 a.m. police were dispatched to a location in Estate Bovoni in response to a disturbance. At the location, officers met with a police colleague, who told them that she was heading home when she saw Jenelle Jackson walking the the middle of the road.
The VIPD witness says she saw Jackson pick up something that looked like a 3-ft. long orange cone, which she then used to bash the rear taillight on the driver’s side of a Ford Transit taxi van parked alongside the road.
Police contacted the owner, who told them that Jackson had damaged another of his vehicles about a month prior as well. Neighbors told him that on June 15, she broke the driver’s side window of his truck that had been parked in the same area.
He told officers that last Friday, he had had enough of the destruction. He said he approached Jackson, however she attacked him with a stick. Eventually, two other people, including VIPD Commissioner Ray Martinez, had to assist in subduing Jackson to prevent her from causing further damage either to herself or to other property.
When she was being escorted to a police vehicle, she allegedly turned and spat on one of the officers when that officer tried to open the vehicle’s door.
She was then arrested and charged with destruction of property, and throwing bodily fluid at a person.
At her advice of rights hearing on Monday, Jackson was ordered to be evaluated by the Department of Health to determine whether her actions were a consequence of a mental illness, whether she is competent to stand trial, and whether she is a danger to herself and others.
She is also ordered to take any prescribed medication required for her mental health, and banned from abusing alcohol or any controlled substances. Bail was set at $10,000 with no 10 percent provision.
Jenelle Jackson’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 4.
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