West Cay Island, St. Thomas USVI
Federal authorities, aside from detaining several Haitian nationals at the Red Hook Ferry Terminal on St. Thomas last week, also arrested three Brazilian citizens on one of the cays off the territory's capital island.
On April 9, Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations officials spotted three people on the beach of West Cay, off St. Thomas. The Coast Guard was contacted and launched a vessel and helicopter to locate the individuals.
One person – Gabriel Rodrigues Soares Da Rosa – reportedly swam from the beach to the Coast Guard boat, while the other two – Max Ranner Barbosa Garcia and Valcir Garcia De Olviera – were found after Border Patrol agents were helicoptered across to search the island. All three were then taken to the Enforcement and Removal Operation facility at Crown Mountain on St. Thomas.
Each of the three reportedly admitted traveling to the territory without authorization. Rodrigues Soares Da Rosa had previously been deported from the United States in August 2024, while Garcia De Olviere had been removed from the country a year prior. Barbosa Garcia, meanwhile, allegedly said that he had been denied a United States visa, but traveled to the territory anyway.
Having found no record of the three individuals being inspected by Customs and Border protection officials at a port of entry, they were arrested and charged with entering the country illegally. The three men first appeared before U.S. Magistrate Alan Teague on April 11, however their bond hearing has been set for Tuesday.
