Federal Court Sentences Drug Trafficker from Vessup Bay

A convicted drug trafficker named Trevor Stephen was sentenced to 37 months in prison after being found guilty in a criminal trial held at St. Thomas District Court. Federal authorities presented video surveillance footage and witness statements that placed Stephen at the scene of Vessup Beach on Nov. 29, 2019, where he was seen loading duffle bags into a pickup truck belonging to Russell Robinson and another unidentified person. Surveillance cameras captured them fleeing across St. Thomas to Hull Bay, where Stephen and Robinson were apprehended.

During the trial, Stephen chose not to present a defense, leading to his conviction on drug possession charges but not drug conspiracy. Robinson was granted a mistrial and underwent a retrial as the sole defendant. Stephen later filed a motion to vacate his conviction and request a new trial, which was denied by Chief District Judge Robert Molloy on Dec. 18. Robinson was later found guilty in his own trial on March 14, with sentencing scheduled for July 3.

The chase across St. Thomas, involving the pursuit of a cocaine-laden truck, led to the conviction of Trevor Stephen and Russell Robinson on drug-related charges. The events were captured on surveillance cameras and witnessed by federal authorities, ultimately resulting in Stephen’s sentencing to 37 months in prison. Robinson was also found guilty, and his sentencing is set for a later date.

Stephen’s involvement in the drug trafficking operation was confirmed through video footage and witness statements, linking him to the loading of duffle bags into the truck at Vessup Beach. The chase across the island ended in the arrest of Stephen and Robinson at Hull Bay on the North Side of St. Thomas. Despite Stephen’s decision not to present a defense during the trial, his conviction on drug possession charges stood, while the drug conspiracy charges were not proven.

Following the conclusion of the trial, Stephen attempted to have his conviction vacated and request a new trial, but this motion was denied by Chief District Judge Robert Molloy. Robinson faced a separate trial as the sole defendant and was ultimately found guilty as well. The legal proceedings surrounding the drug trafficking case involving Stephen and Robinson highlight the efforts of federal authorities in apprehending individuals involved in drug-related crimes in the region.