Five members of the Police Benevolent Association, led by PBA President Elroy Raymo, marched in front of the federal courthouse Wednesday morning to protest the detention without bail of Officer Ian Williams Jr.
Williams, vice president of the St. Thomas-St. John PBA, is charged with tampering with a victim and witness -— a federal offense -— and territorial charges of third-degree assault.
Williams pleaded not guilty during his arraignment hearing Wednesday, according to WVWI Radio. A hearing on his motion to reconsider bail is set for 10 a.m. Friday.
Williams is charged with trying to prevent his common-law wife, Brendaly Nazario, from reporting a civil rights offense by holding a handgun to her head and threatening to kill her.
Earlier this month U.S. Magistrate Judge Geoffrey Barnard ordered Williams held without bail until his trial. Barnard said he considered Williams a threat to the safety of Nazario and her family.
Williams is being held in a Puerto Rico jail, which, according to Raymo, constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. He expressed further concern that Williams, a police officer, is being jailed with the general population, according to WVWI.
Raymo also said prison authorities are limiting Williams’ access to incoming phone calls and mail.
Raymo claims that the victim’s allegations lack substance and that Williams was denied assistance from the Attorney General’s Office when he brought charges of fraud against Nazario.