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14 years for VIPD Officer for drug trafficking

- Teshawn Adams wanted to become a millionaire within a year
The letters of police officers, family members and friends pleading to the Miami District Court asking for leniency for Teshawn Adams, the US Virgin Islands (USVI) Police Officer and National Guard member who federal prosecutors said was at the centre of a multi-million dollar cocaine operation, did not sway Judge Paul Huck from handing down a 14-year prison sentence to Adams on Monday, October 5, 2021. Photo: VIC
VI CONSORTIUM

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- The letters of police officers, family members and friends pleading to the Miami District Court asking for leniency for Teshawn Adams, the US Virgin Islands (USVI) Police Officer and National Guard member who federal prosecutors said was at the centre of a multi-million dollar cocaine operation, did not sway Judge Paul Huck from handing down a 14-year prison sentence to Adams on Monday, October 5, 2021.

The matter was first reported by the Consortium on January 13, 2021.

Teshawn Adams was one of six arrested in January and charged as part of the case. St Thomas Police Officer and National Guard member Shakim Mike and suspects Maleek Leonard, Roystin David and Trevon Adams were also arrested as part of the complaint that alleges the suspects "knowingly and willfully conspired to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine," revealed to be 328.79 kilograms. Leonard was sentenced to five years federal imprisonment Tuesday. Also arrested was Anthon Berkeley. 

Berkley was charged under a separate complaint. He admitted to driving from Orlando to Miami with the intent to pick up one kilo of cocaine from the private-charter smuggling event. During his interview, Berkely admitted that he was supposed to pick up one kilogram of cocaine and bring it to an unknown individual in Orlando. According to the complaint, although Berkely was not the ultimate buyer of the cocaine, he was expected to be paid $18,000 to pick up and transport the narcotics.

Adams involvement

Teshawn Adams was charged with cocaine trafficking for his major involvement in moving the cocaine. In the complaint, Teshawn is identified as the man who offered Police Officer Shakim Mike $60,000 to $70,000 for his role in the smuggling venture. Mike admitted that at least three of the seized bags belonged to him and that he helped pack the cocaine bricks in the bags. Soon after Mike absconded, he sent his location to Trevon Adams, who picked him up at a hotel and drove him to Orlando, where he was contacted by law enforcement and ultimately agreed to surrender, according to the complaint. Trevon is Teshawn's brother.

According to the complaint, text messages between Roystin David and Teshawn Adams included references to "moving product," "recruiting flight attendants," "investing all the money from our bricks," "meeting the big dogs in Santo Domingo," and "living off the airport trips." David also said that the last words he heard from Mike before Mike fled, were, "oh s***, I think we should run."

Remorseful

Teshawn's defense attorney stated that the defendant "is sincerely remorseful for his criminal conduct and acknowledges that the offense to which he has entered a plea of guilty is of a serious nature. Further, the defendant wholly realizes the impact his poor decision to become involved in this criminal conduct will have upon his family and his future, and knows that he has nobody to blame but himself."

Assistant US Attorney Yeney Hernandez said that those writing asking for leniency did not know Teshawn Adams too well. Among them was police officer in the state of Georgia, Shanice Allamby, who wrote, "I was troubled, disturbed and surprised when I learned about the recent case with Mr Adams as he has always been a solid person. As an ex-coworker at my past employer, the Virgin Islands Police Department, I have grown to know Mr Adams for the past 5 years."

Officer Allamby added, "Throughout this time in the academy, I was consistently impressed by the way Mr Adams had dedicated his time to assist me in preparing for testing academically and physically... I have witnessed Mr Adams growing as a smart, talented and responsible person. Teshawn have always displayed a degree of high integrity, responsibility, professionalism and ambition in many aspects."

Mikhail Woodley, who met Teshawn while at the VIPD's Police Academy in 2016, wrote, "Teshawn has always been the person you can depend on to be by your side, to help shoulder the burdens of life. Throughout my own struggles, I learned the true definition of love, loyalty, and friendship; all exhibited by Teshawn. But as loyal of a friend he is, Teshawn is an even more loyal and protective father."

Teshawn's mother, Natasha Adams, wrote, "Teshawn has accepted what he did and he knows he was wrong. He has voiced his regret for the decision he made that fateful night. He knows how much his daughter depends on him and being away from her has caused him major pain."

Teshawn's spouse, Judica Jeffers, wrote, "Teshawn is a great son, dad, spouse, friend, colleague, and grandson. He always made sure to be there for others even when they were not there for him. As a reliable and respected member of the community, Teshawns arrest was quite unexpected. Teshawn has spoken to me about his lack of judgement he has exhibited and expressed penitence for his actions."

Adams wanted to be a millionaire within a year- Asst US Attorney

Attorney Hernandez wrote in her sentencing memorandum that those seeking leniency and describing Teshawn's character as upstanding, misjudged. She cited text messages showing Teshawn planned on using a military plane to transport cocaine and was convinced he would become a millionaire within a year from drug trafficking.

"The idea that the defendant merely fell in with a bad set of friends inverts the dynamic. It is [Teshawn] Adams who recruited Leonard and directly dealt with the supply-level conspirators. Likewise, the defendant was not planning to become a millionaire for his child's sake, but for his self-centered interests alone," Attorney Hernandez wrote.

Along with his 14-year prison sentence, Teshawn Adams will be under supervision for five years and has been ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and special assessment fee of $100.

The others involved are expected to be sentenced on Friday.

31 Responses to “14 years for VIPD Officer for drug trafficking”

  • usa (10/10/2021, 13:53) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    one thing about law & order in american they go after almost anyone for involvement in crimes while this side of the fence is different.....law enforcement officers in bvi involve in crimes walks free
  • Madussa (10/10/2021, 13:58) Like (42) Dislike (0) Reply
    His show off stupid jewelry wearing picture does not represent an official of the law. This picture shows a drug dealer in full attire. I must admit 14 years is very harsh, but that is the chance you take for handling BIG
  • rattie (10/10/2021, 14:03) Like (0) Dislike (13) Reply
    Free the weed
  • FRANK (10/10/2021, 14:10) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Funny how they always remember their family when the shit hits the fan. Was he thinking of his spouse, children, parents when he was living high on the hog? Only being caught has sobered him up and reality set in. I also agree 14 years is too much. Murderers get less time than that.
    • @ FRANK (10/10/2021, 18:14) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
      14 years is good
      he was in a position of trust, national security and an obligation to uphold the laws of the land. he violated such trust(dirty babylon !!!!
  • Blindman (10/10/2021, 14:12) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Every boby trying to get out of the 9 tp 5
  • Drugs (10/10/2021, 14:16) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    THESE POLICE AND ACCIOATES HERE , SHOULD BE GIVEN THE SAME AMOUNT OF YEARS AS THEIR AGE ,( THAT OURGHT TO SEND A SERIOUS MESSAGE TO THOSE WANNA BE GANGSTERS WHO IS SPOILING THE COUNTRY AND THE YOUTHS FOR A FEW DOLLARS
  • Hmm (10/10/2021, 14:19) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    You could tell he belongs in jail
  • 1 (10/10/2021, 14:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    no weed no seed
  • pick your choice (10/10/2021, 14:55) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    PRISON OR CEMETERY ?
  • l (10/10/2021, 14:59) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    So why is this a consurn to others I am sure a he have already make more money than that person santance you no d beauty about the hole thing when thay doing their dirty work thay don't need no help is when push comes to shub then is when thay need help think do don't do and think
  • hoping (10/10/2021, 15:55) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lets hope the 3 RVIPF Officers charged with similar offences get similar sentences
    • @ hoping (10/10/2021, 18:19) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      dont hold your breath or you shall surly die. 2019 rsvipf officers went before high court all now those people walking free all over road town
  • Oh yeah (10/10/2021, 16:34) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    He was the one whose family was begging the judge to have mercy on him. That’s on him.
  • I GUESS (10/10/2021, 17:07) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    I WILL HAVE TO SAY IT AGAIN - WHEN THOSE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO UPHOLD THE LAW AND BREAK IT , GIVE THEM THE SAME AMOUNT OF YEARS AS THEIR AGE - SOME MIGHT GET THE MESSAGE AND DO THE RIGHT THING
  • ting to talk (10/10/2021, 19:47) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    These rotten officers in tola should meet a judge like that. They are the Right hand of the criminals out there.
  • miami (10/10/2021, 19:48) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Welcome to 14 years in the Sunshine State prison system. Hope you enjoy your stay.
  • first of all (10/10/2021, 21:04) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is humble because he got caught. Look at how he was flossing down to his teeth or grills. Now he have to spend 14 long years in a US prison with the real hard core boys.
  • Gucci (10/10/2021, 22:17) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hmmm wat a ting!! Ayo cud post pics... of pple overseas buh not none of dem who lives here...wah bout dem up balo & da popo
    • @ Gucci (11/10/2021, 07:44) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Like you want to be in things. There pics were already posted. How much times you want to see the same set a man pics..
      • @@ Gucci (11/10/2021, 21:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Lol..look like you wanna be in ting, plz stay in ur lane moomoo speak when spoken too..& stay in ur lane, dem pics wasnt up on here.. so go sit down dum dum...
  • good job (10/10/2021, 22:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The judge set a very good example, bet the others will think. 14 years is a long haul in prison.
  • grace (10/10/2021, 23:02) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    seems as though he already made the millions he wanted. Look at all of his teeth, rings, chains, earrings, clothes etc. That's a million right there. I bet he set no money aside for his family. 14 years without his income will be felt, plus his family (spouse) knew the deal he was in, so stop with the letters trying to prove he's a good ole boy and remorseful. Only he is sorry he got caught!
    • FEO GOMEZ (11/10/2021, 07:52) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      Gucci hollow not solid. Everything he wearing under 5k. No big deal.
  • H (11/10/2021, 05:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man is a officer nah man this is Mr T and he even have more jewelry than him
  • 14 years (11/10/2021, 07:42) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is a death sentence in the sunshine state's prison system especially for cop cocaine drug smugglers. His odds of living in their prison to 2035 are zero.
  • lol (11/10/2021, 10:41) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    A set of clowns in the comments including this artical
  • NB (11/10/2021, 14:00) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ lol someone mash uh corn man what a thing don't feel bad sir or madam
  • HAHA (11/10/2021, 19:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do judge a book by the cover. You can see them right here in the BVI as well…
  • Hmm (12/10/2021, 05:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Only ???


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