J’wa ‘Balla’ Charlery Added To U.S. Marshals’ ’15 Most Wanted’ List, $25,000 Reward Offered For Capture

The U.S. Marshals Service announces the addition of alleged murder suspect J’Wa Charlery, 19, to its 15 Most Wanted fugitives list.

On Nov. 2, 2014, the Richmond Virginia Police Department responded to a call for emergency assistance at the Clarion Hotel located at 3207 North Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers were directed to a room where they discovered the body of Eboniece Escobar, who suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. The following day Richmond PD charged Charlery with murder. On Nov. 3, the U.S. Marshals joined the fugitive investigation for Charlery at the request of local authorities. Today, the search for him intensifies with his addition to the 15 Most Wanted list.

Charlery is presumed to be on St. Croix, according to a press release issued by the now-shuttered Crime Stoppers USVI in February.

“The malicious crime allegedly committed by Charlery demonstrates a blatant disregard for life,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Stacia Hylton. “His potential for continued violence puts the public at great risk every day he remains on the run. We are resolute in our commitment to apprehend Charlery and will use all available resources to ensure this violent criminal faces justice.”

While his current whereabouts are unknown, Marshals confirmed Charlery fled to the U.S. Virgin Islands after the crime. He is also known to have ties to the cities of Norfolk, Va., Miami, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

“J’Wa Charlery’s alleged criminal affiliations make him an extreme threat to communities,” said Robert Mathieson, U.S. Marshal of the Eastern District of Virginia. “The U.S. Marshals will leave no stone unturned until we bring him to justice.”

Charlery is a 6-foot black male weighing 160 pounds with black hair and hazel eyes, and is a member of a criminal organization allegedly responsible for major narcotics trafficking and acts of violence in the Virgin Islands. He is well-known in the U.S. Virgin Islands by the nickname “Balla.”

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading directly to Charlery’s arrest. Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals Service office or the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102. Additional information can be found at www.usmarshals.gov.