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Recaptured fugitive & girlfriend remanded to HMP

- Jose Almestica & Jennifer Smith to return to Magistrate Court on February 2, 2022
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force on December 7, 2021, arrested and charged Jose Almestica, 33, for escaping lawful custody. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Recaptured fugitive Jose Almestica of the US Virgin Islands and his girlfriend, Sea Cows Bay resident Jennifer Smith, were both ordered to be remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison in Balsam Ghut following their virtual court appearance before Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards on Thursday, December 9, 2021.

Almestica was on the run from the law for four years, when he and many others escaped the prison after the 2017 hurricanes and had been living in Ballast Bay in a house that Smith’s family allegedly rented for him.

Before he escaped, Almestica was on remand at the prison for illegal possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and illegal entry and was awaiting his sentencing.

He was recaptured on December 7, 2021 in West End and had been in custody pending his appearance before the court to answer to the new charges of Escaping Lawful Custody. 

Smith was charged with Harbouring.

They were not made to enter pleas because both offences were indictable.

Allegations of the matter

The court said when Almestica from St Thomas, USVI, was recaptured in West End, his apartment located in Ballast Bay was searched and a “plethora” of illegal items were found, inclusive of an illegal gun, drugs and money.

The investigation revealed that Smith was his girlfriend and knew of his place of abode, was aware that he was a prison escapee and she was met reversing her vehicle into Almestica’s residence.

She was the one who provided the police with the key that was hidden outside the apartment, that enabled their search of the premises.

The pair was taken to the police station after the raid and did not offer any responses to the questions during the interview. 

Two other persons were also taken into custody relating to the investigation and 10 more are expected to be charged with offences relating to this matter at hand.

Following her deliberations, the Senior Magistrate ordered that the pair be remanded to HMP.

Attorney at law Ruthilia Maximea defends Almestica and Attorney at law Jamal S. Smith defends Smith.

Attorney Maximea did not make a bail application for Almestica because he was just recaptured after being a fugitive. Attorney Smith, on the other hand, made an application for bail but it was denied.

The matter was adjourned to February 2, 2022.

27 Responses to “Recaptured fugitive & girlfriend remanded to HMP”

  • HEY HEY (10/12/2021, 08:52) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well the people of this country would be very glad to hear what ( the WIG /CSC AND OUR BOSS has to say on this
  • sea cows bay (10/12/2021, 08:53) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    So you telling me this girl had this man hiding out in our backyard for the past four years? Keep her under lock and key. I know who she is, but please put her mug shot up so the public can see her face. SHAME ON HER. Moving around like everything is ok meanwhile hiding a criminal in our backyard for four years. Dangerous young woman.
  • Hey girl (10/12/2021, 09:43) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
    Was the no good worthless criminal worth it? Some women have no class or self worth about themselves. Hang your head in shame girl. Taking the lick for a criminal. That is a serious crime. Happy Holidays to you girl as you sit in the slammer up on the hill.
  • W*F (10/12/2021, 10:07) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    a bunch of stool pigeon: want 2 B bad boys the moment police shows up they sing and sing talk what dem no and wat dem don't know

    glad to get gun off the streets
    use the money to repair the schools

  • News (10/12/2021, 10:26) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    I'LL LIKE TO SEE HOW THE BRITISH PRESS PRINT THEIR VERSION OF THIS FINDING. I WONDER WHAT WILL BE THE HEADLINE .
  • Confucius (10/12/2021, 10:30) Like (34) Dislike (14) Reply
    BVI women love drug dealers and fast money.
    • for real (10/12/2021, 11:17) Like (27) Dislike (13) Reply
      I always say BVI women is lost, they would settle for and sell themselves to the highest bidder.
      • @For Real (10/12/2021, 12:53) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
        You ain’t telling no lies. They sure do. They use their own local men to build house to put them in, put a ring on their finger and trap the men by getting pregnant to hold the men. That is not love, that is using the man. Because they know the local men is stupid and will fall for anything. That is why the local men is so miserable and looking for love.
      • @For Real (10/12/2021, 14:38) Like (33) Dislike (3) Reply
        Ya’ll bitter souls name call name!! I dont see why all bvi woman getting dragged!!! I am a bvi woman n work hard for my ish!!!! N i far from lost!!!
    • BVI Women (10/12/2021, 12:25) Like (26) Dislike (4) Reply
      Not all of us love drug dealers and fast money.
    • @confucius (10/12/2021, 14:29) Like (31) Dislike (3) Reply
      Please call names when referring to BVI woman! Causeeee i for sure dont like drug man and fast money! I work hard for what i got!
    • Don't... (10/12/2021, 14:40) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ confucius - Don't insult me! I am a Virgin Island lady and I take strong offence. If you don't really know us Virgin Island ladies, please engage your brain before you open your mouth. For some people we are like the fox and the grapes.
  • vi (10/12/2021, 10:48) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    That’s why we want the uk
  • Bias? (10/12/2021, 11:02) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    Where is her picture? Name them and shame them is the game. They say is her family that rent it to them, they had to know too! Charge them too! See how the people of the BVI destroying their own home! Shameful!
  • TORTOLIAN (10/12/2021, 11:17) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    I WAS TOLD THAT DRUGS MONEY RUN THIS COUNTRY. IS THAT SO.
  • So disappointed (10/12/2021, 12:19) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    I'm a close friend of the lady and truly I am disappointed. Four years you know this dude is not good in the public eye and you got him under you.

    Truly the saying women love bad boys is facts. Now look. You and him lock up and you can not get bail.

    Forfeit your freedom for him. I do hope this experience open your eyes my friend.

    You are better and do not need to involve yourself with such.

    Truly I am disappointed
  • Miss Juliette (10/12/2021, 12:26) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another Spanish in jail, this is a shame.
  • Jojo (10/12/2021, 13:10) Like (3) Dislike (14) Reply
    We don't want to be too quick to condemn this female accomplice. We just don't know what kind of threat and fear, maybe even physical/sexual abuse she was under dealing with this thug. He deserves the longest sentence available and ultimate deportation.
  • wow (10/12/2021, 13:33) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    She harboring a murderer soon the public going know why is 10 ppl them out for
  • @jojo (10/12/2021, 14:08) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    What threat and fear, the only thing that mattered to her was the way he was riding her. I don’t feel sorry for her. Let her behind sit in jail for being stupid and dumb.
  • Well Ms Jennifer (10/12/2021, 14:11) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I don't know who You.. Come Feed me some of what you Been feeding Partner,.. she food sweet eh
  • Heck (10/12/2021, 17:58) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am not taking no lick for no man even if his you know what is made from gold dust and his mountain oysters is encrusted in diamonds. Christmas time she sitting in prison. Girlllll enjoy your dove pork, fruit cake and eggnog and call it a day.LOL
    • im saying (10/12/2021, 22:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      I'm saying i been there and done that (prison time) not something i am proud of.

      so i know when the judge say bail denied and see you at this date.

      she/them will not only miss Christmas, new years and maybe more too.

      For what a guy that had other girlfriends besides you.


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