Accused Racketeer Admits Guilt in Jewelry Heist Conspiracies

A man described by federal prosecutors as a middleman for stolen goods is waiting to hear if U.S. District Court will accept his guilty plea prior to the start of a major racketeering trial. From the time the government issued its first indictment in the case, up to eleven people were accused as actors in a conspiracy that allegedly included murder, armed robbery and drug trafficking.

Now it appears the trial against Paul Girard and his alleged associates is set to begin Jan. 17. Lawyers from the U.S. Attorney’s Office say the group, led by Girard, violated the federal Racketeering and Corrupt Organizations Act by dealing in illegal drugs, eliminating rivals to expand their territory and committing a series of armed robberies to finance their enterprise.

Charging documents filed in the case also charge Girard and associates with violating the Hobbs Act, a federal offense involving interference of commerce by robbery.

Wayne Bellillie is one of nine defendants facing trial after others changed their pleas of innocence. On Monday, Bellillie entered a change of plea agreement with prosecutors, admitting he conspired with others to rob two St. Thomas jewelry stores in 2015.