Crime

52-Year-Old Man Allegedly Rapes Female Minor Relative

ST. CROIX — A 52-year-old man appeared before a judge in the V.I. Superior Court on Friday to face rape and child abuse charges. Keithley Jones was arrested on charges of first-degree aggravated, first-degree unlawful sexual contact, and child abuse. The arrest follows a report of a possible rape by the victim and her mother, who were present at the Juan F. Luis Hospital on March 12. According to documents before the court, the victim was interviewed in the presence of her mother where she told police that she was being raped by an adult male relative, identified as Jones. The victim stated that the alleged incidents, which she said started two years ago, began with hugs but later grew to sexual acts.  The process of providing information to her mother about the incident took several steps. The victim first wrote a letter about the alleged abuse and provided it to a sibling, who then gave it to their mother. Once the mother learned of the alleged rape and child abuse, she transport...