911 employee Elca Anthony was arrested for allegedly interfering with a criminal investigation by providing a suspected murderer information to escape USVI police. Photo: VIC

According to Mr. Dratte, citing information provided by the investigating detective, Ms. Anthony, 35, texted information regarding a first-degree attempted murder incident as it was unfolding, allowing the suspect an opportunity to change his vehicle and elude police.

The charging document indicates that Ms. Anthony assisted a known criminal felon, who police have identified as Daniel Carino, in order to prevent his apprehension by having knowledge of the type of clothing worn and vehicle operated by the suspect involved in a shooting incident that occurred December 15, 2015. Mr. Carino was later arrested for the first-degree attempted murder incident and is presently detained, according to police.

Ms. Anthony was arrested at 5:06 a.m. on October 26, 2016 and charged with accessory after the fact, and interfering with an officer discharging duty. Her bail was set at $50,000, and she was remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Center after failing to secure the aforesaid amount.

In an attempt to allay concerns of any perceived widespread corruption at the 911 emergency call center, which is a division of the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (V.I.T.E.MA.), director Mona Barnes said the agency does not tolerate such behaviour, and asked the public to not cast judgement on the whole of the 911 division.

“I understand that this may raise concerns about the integrity of the 911 emergency system. While Ms. Anthony remains innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, I want to assure the community, and to state unequivocally, that this agency does not tolerate employees who do not uphold VITEMA’s policies and who do not abide by the law,” Ms. Barnes said. “I ask the community not to pass judgment on 911 operators as a whole. VITEMA’s 911 operators are dedicated employees who often go above and beyond to serve this community in their time of greatest need.”

Ms. Barnes said V.I.T.E.M.A. was fully cooperating with the V.I.P.D. on this matter, and would continue to assist the force in its efforts to protect the community.

Ms. Anthony was placed on leave without pay while the investigation is ongoing, Ms. Barnes revealed.

The arrest appears to have involved community assistance, as St. Croix Police Chief Winsbut McFarland thanked the public for its help, and encouraged residents to continue sending in information that may lead to more arrests through 911, or through the anonymous tip line, Crime Stoppers USVI, where monetary rewards are given to those who send in tips that lead to arrests.