St. Croix Gang Leader Ivan James Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison

Five St. Croix men were sentenced by District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Sunday.

Ivan James, who was sentenced to 420 months in prison, led the conspiracy along with Joh Williams, 38, Malachi Benjamin, 28, Ariel Petersen, 28, and Jahkiebo Joseph, 26, from his Estate LaGrange compound in Frederiksted, St. Croix, according to the press release.

“The Ivan James Organization was a violent and lawless gang that terrorized and victimized

the people of the Virgin Islands for over a decade,” stated Smith. “The tremendous work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Patrol, Virgin Islands Police Department and the Bureau of Corrections delivered the ultimate reward to the people of St. Croix – just and lengthy sentences of imprisonment

to those involved. These sentences demonstrate that the Department of Justice and our law

enforcement partners are committed to combating the threat of gang violence,” Smith said.

According to evidence introduced at trial, the investigation into the Ivan James drug trafficking organization began in January 2013 after Bureau of Corrections officers at the Golden Grove Correctional Facility seized an iPhone from then-inmate Joh Williams. A search of the cellphone seized from Williams revealed text messages related to smuggling and distribution of narcotics in the prison. Thereafter, the Drug Enforcement Administration obtained authorization to intercept calls from a second cellphone used by Williams while incarcerated. The wire investigation revealed evidence of cocaine and marijuana distribution within the facility by Williams which was supplied by Ivan James. The investigation further revealed that Vivian Ford, a former corrections officer, was a member of James’ organization who smuggled narcotics into Golden Grove in food containers for

distribution by Williams.