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Prisoner Keon Edwards seen on streets in Baughers Bay, Tortola

November 29th, 2017 | Tags: Keon Edwards manslaughter prisoner HM prison fugitive
Left: A photo sent to this news room allegedly showing prisoner Mr Keon Edwards in Baughers Bay, Tortola today, November 29, 2017. Right: Mr Edwards at Her Majesty's Prison back in September 2013. Photo: VINO/Team of Reporters
Another photo sent to Virgin Islands News Online allegedly showing prisoner Keon Edwards in the Baughers Bay area of Tortola today, November 29, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters
Another photo sent to Virgin Islands News Online allegedly showing prisoner Keon Edwards in the Baughers Bay area of Tortola today, November 29, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- It was sometime around 1:30 P.M. today, Wednesday November 29, 2017 that persons called our newsroom to report that they saw a prisoner, Mr Keon Edwards, allegedly wandering the streets in the Baughers Bay area of Tortola.

We asked if Mr Edwards was with any of Her Majesty’s Prison Guards or was supervised; however, they reported that neither was evident. Immediately, our newsroom called the Superintendent of Prisons Mr David E. Foot to see if Mr Edwards was released from prison or was authorised to be on a work release programme, but he did not respond to our telephone calls or text messages.

However, it is our understanding that the work release programme at the prison was stopped following the prison breakout in September and Balsam Ghut is reportedly on lock down. It is unclear why the inmate was on the streets unsupervised. It is also our understanding that another prisoner is still on a work programme helping to restore an Air Conditioning Unit in the Pasea area of Tortola, and Mr Edwards may have been assisting him.

Our newsroom was subsequently informed that sometime this evening Mr Edwards was picked up by a prison van and returned to the state-owned penitentiary.

Mr Edwards had pleaded guilty of Manslaughter in the shooting death of Munroe Thomas Jr outside Club Diplomat in Long Bush on March 1, 2009 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison in April 2011.

However, in October 2012 he made a successful appeal to have his sentence reduced to 15 years.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Irma had caused extensive damages to the prison compound and resulted in all 100 plus inmates escaping. Some were spotted roaming the streets of Tortola and Virgin Gorda.

Some three still out

Many were recaptured while others turned themselves in; however, three prisoners remain on the run.

Some 21 of the inmates were also relocated to St Lucia.

Still on the run as a fugitive is Santo Y. Hernandez from the Dominican Republic. Hernandez was remanded but not yet convicted for the murder of Alston E. Penn.

In addition, USVI native Jose Almestica, who pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition in August of 2016, is still at large.

Finally, on the run is United States of America native Kareem Hodge, who is said to be brown-skinned and 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 160-190 pounds.

38 Responses to “Prisoner Keon Edwards seen on streets in Baughers Bay, Tortola”

  • ... (29/11/2017, 21:53) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    up there is a free for all
  • Shorty (29/11/2017, 23:09) Like (26) Dislike (12) Reply
    I don't understand why this is news. He has been out everyday post hurricane Irma accompanied by an officer on some occasions and not on others. He is not the only prisoner who has been out post Irma. First all this so call prison break needs to be given a rest and the truth be told. I've personally seen a prisoner after the prison lockdown was lifted at eureka pharmacy without an officer and he stated he was out on day release. So really what's new in the BVI
    • @ shorty (30/11/2017, 06:31) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
      The work release program has ceased after the hurricanes so why was he still out?
      • Shorty (03/12/2017, 08:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Work release and being given a day release/pass are two different things. I dont work for HMP but have seen Mr. Edwards and another prisoner frequently post Irma, lock down , prisoners being transferred more then three times per week. Clearly they were grated permission by prison officials to be out like usual
        • Kermit (06/12/2017, 12:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          @Shorty first of all he should not be out at ALL yes we are all humans and make mistakes but the way in how he dealt with his situation was cowardly and cruel, yes other prisoners have been out and about which is totally unacceptable as well but KEON doesn't need to be out at all unsupervised, and that's my two cents........
  • de silent one (30/11/2017, 02:58) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    The prison appears to be ill supervise/manage, where the inmates seems to have the authority to do what they want and to whom they want. No meaningful program (s) to help rehabilitate them as it should, so they return into the society, not reform but as the same way that they been incarcerated.
  • Venor (30/11/2017, 06:24) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Whats new here he went to get a little PIECE
    • Pit Bull (30/11/2017, 12:37) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
      @Vendor, yeah, he went to get a little PIECE? Look at this S#:t. What about his victim. He is not a good man. I don't want to see his ugg mug anywhere on the street.
  • concerned citizen (30/11/2017, 06:24) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is so sad for our BVI, the break down of order, but the law still exists, it's just that we are not enforcing it.
  • Not2Sure (30/11/2017, 06:33) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ayo messing up mr Foot contract renewal and funnyman aim to be premier
  • wize up (30/11/2017, 07:40) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
    My goodness; homeboy doing time for gun crime and allowed to roam our streets:manslaugter is a serious matter......
  • Bull Dawg (30/11/2017, 09:46) Like (26) Dislike (18) Reply
    Honestly, the man isn't a criminal like people think.
    Yes he committed a murder and shouldn't be on the streets, but he wouldn't do no harm to any one.
    Trust me he wouldn't even try to escape like that, otherwise he would have already gone.
    He is actually a good man.
    • good (30/11/2017, 10:22) Like (14) Dislike (12) Reply
      Yes he is a good man leave him alone
    • Guest (30/11/2017, 11:21) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
      So he wouldn't try to escape? So I guess it was someone else who fled the country for more than three months and federal marshalls had to bring them from St. Thomas
  • so sorry (30/11/2017, 10:49) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    to bust that bubble, but good people DO NOT kill other people, commit manslaughter or none of the above.

    Those are criminal acts and criminals, when caught and convicted, should not be on the streets partaking in the fundamental privilege of freedom of movement.
    • UhHemm.. (30/11/2017, 14:14) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      If you read the story of how Mr. Edwards was setenced to Prison, and firstly IF you know what manslaughter means in the "Law" terms. You would stop talking crap.
    • Reply (30/11/2017, 16:40) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      Thank you very much. Well said!!! Bunch of criminal apologist who cannot pick sense out of nonsense. This guy killed another person, and yet he is a good person in their minds? Crazy. This backwards way of thinking helps explain why there are so many unsolved murders here in the BVI. God forbid such people end up on juries.
    • Blank disk (03/12/2017, 06:14) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      That's not completely true, you never what can happen on any given day. Its not always your actions that determine whether you are a good person or not, its your heart
  • Yes (30/11/2017, 13:38) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    No wonder the prisoners who got sent to St. Lucia complaining lol... they cant get to go out on the street when they want like tola
  • chad (30/11/2017, 15:43) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Anytime somebody takes another's life, they aint no good hearted person. I sorry to say but na dread. If I stole your bike, you would say I a bad person but if I killed you I am good?

    Sick people in Tola sah!
    • I said (30/11/2017, 18:33) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @wow. Agree with you 100%.These people here is beyond sick. I think they are suffering from some type of mental imbalance or maybe the hot sun is frying their brains. Or maybe they get sprayed somehow when the ground sea was kicking.
      • chad (01/12/2017, 13:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I don't promote stupidness and murder is murder! Could only be the family sticking up for him which is understandable but if he had kill one of he own family members, would those out there who bigging this man up feel the same if this man killed one of theirs? Sad mehson!
  • RealTalk (30/11/2017, 17:36) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look stop you all nonsense about prisoners escape .they let out the prisoners everyday by 6 in the evening they would go back and by 9 in the morn they will let them back .set of wicked people scandalising the prisoners name bout escape just to look good .irma aint teach you all nothing no
    • # real talk (30/11/2017, 21:01) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Fool the police commissioner snd the premier said publicly it was a prison break go get a life man
      • @# real talk (01/12/2017, 08:44) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        A morning after Irma in Hawk Nest Area I witnessed an incident where an officer (not saying which one) got a flat and was catching a ride ... asked the person to slow a bit and told the prisoner make sure your back ninny 6pm. The prinsoner said yes sir and they both went there way. .... it wasn't any darm prison break.. The men were told go look at your family see if all is week and what you can help with and be back by 6, don't let us have to go look for you...
  • You without sin cast the first stone (30/11/2017, 21:48) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    He is out on the road everyday gathering supplies to feed the prisoners and the same HUNGRY PRISON OFFICERS who only eat when they go to work cause they SPEND THEIR MONEY ON RUM and can't afford to buy food, set of drunkards and took this picture. That is exactly what they were doing there drinking rum and partying, the gay one and the wh@ring barrel from Trinidad and the vincy big head one who always cheating on his big nose wife. Mr Edwards is a model inmate. Things happen in life and we serve a forgiving God! Ayo too bad minded.
    • hello (01/12/2017, 02:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      oh my gosh!!! You said a whole mouthful in that piece....Mouth open...story jump out!
    • Damn (01/12/2017, 17:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      LOL, snout and big head always come into place. LOL.
  • phone (01/12/2017, 06:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Did you take the picture of Mr. Edwards with an alcatel? you need to get you an iPhone. I cant even recognize the individual.
  • Wat model (01/12/2017, 07:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    S not d same inmate who got an officer fired for smuggling rum for him to sell n the prison, s the same inmate who have a soda business n the prison, s not the same inmate who traffics items n d prison wen he goes out, s not the same inmate who sell the goverment food stuff for other inmates wat model r u looking at?
    • @what model, (01/12/2017, 08:15) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      You would know OFFICER cause you is the same one who assisted him and collected your rent money. When you talking Talk everyting then.
  • vi (01/12/2017, 16:07) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    He did kill someone, but not intentionally.
  • Dog catcher (06/12/2017, 12:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @BULL DAWG why don't you shut the hell up, isn't this the same man that flea the country after killing an innocent man which he claim was an accident? how can you small minded ignorant people explain to the victims family that this murder needs a breath of fresh air from HMP please do the public a favor and have a seat. he run before so which means he is capable of doing it again.
  • wize up (07/12/2017, 09:07) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Keon is a trustee. Eat your heart out. I saw Keon driving with officers post Irma doing chores for the said prison. Let the man live. I'm sure he didn't break out. They must know he's out.


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