Joseph A. Gomez Elementary School in St. Thomas.
Last updated at 12:21 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025.
ST. THOMAS — A longtime male administrator with the Virgin Islands Department of Education is under investigation for allegedly sexually assaulting a male minor years ago, when the child attended Joseph A. Gomez Elementary School, sources with firsthand knowledge of the matter confirmed to the Consortium.
The case came to light after the victim, now a teenager but still legally a minor, disclosed details of the incident, the sources said.
This isn't the first incident involving the administrator. Sources indicate he was suspended last year for alleged sexual harassment of a male educator but was reinstated after a Division of Personnel investigation found no wrongdoing, according to someone familiar with the current investigation. The boy, now a high school student in St. Thomas, alleges that the administrator would take him out of class to engage in inappropriate behavior, per a source with knowledge of the ongoing investigation.
On Sunday night, the Department of Education confirmed that an investigation is underway and that personnel changes have been made. “The Virgin Islands Department of Education acknowledges you media inquiry regarding an ongoing investigation,” the department stated. “While the matter does not involve a current incident, the investigation remains active. Personnel changes have been made to support the integrity of operations, and all employees are entitled to due process. Due to confidentiality requirements under Collective Bargaining Agreements, no further details can be shared at this time.”
VIDE Commissioner Dion Wells-Hedrington told the Consortium that a formal statement with additional information would be released, and it arrived shortly before publication. In the statement, the Department said: “The Department is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities to ensure a comprehensive and impartial investigation. While we recognize the community’s interest in transparency, we must also honor the privacy rights of those involved and protect the integrity of the ongoing review. We remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all students and staff. Updates will be shared as appropriate, and we thank the public for its continued understanding and support. The safety and trust of our students remain our highest priority.”
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