Two people have been charged in connection with a drowning Feb. 19 that allegedly was related to smuggling illegal aliens into the territory.
Early that morning a boat from St. Martin ended up on the reef at Lindqvist Beach. One person on the boat was found dead from
drowning, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Renel Casseus, 48, and Chrisleme Fleurantin, 43, have been arrested and charged with five counts of alien smuggling which resulted in the death. Casseus is also charged with re-entry into the United States by a departed alien.
The two remain in custody pending further proceedings in the case.
Law enforcement officials said at the time that at least 12, and possibly as many as 24, Haitians were on the hand-made boat when it ran aground. Many escaped, though officials had no count on how many.
U.S. Attorney James Hurd Jr. expressed appreciation for the work done by the V.I. Police Department, Blue Lightning, Planning and Natural Resources and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force for their work on the case.