St. Thomas Man Sentenced To Six Months For Assaulting Police Officer

ST. THOMAS — A judge sentenced Kiplin Chalwell to six months in prison for attacking and assaulting two men – one of them a police officer – about five months ago, the V.I. Department of Justice announced Friday.

“It shows a lack of respect for authority,” V.I. Superior Court Judge Renée Gumbs Carty told Chalwell, as she handed down her punishment.

Chalwell, 42, of Anna’s Retreat was arrested and charged with one count each of simple assault, disturbance of the peace and aggravated assault and battery stemming from a July 18 incident at El Cubano Bar during which he beat Ricky Ragbersingh and then later at Schneider Hospital, he attacked Police Officer Kendelth Wharton. Chalwell accepted a plea deal proffered by Attorney General Claude Earl Walker and pleaded guilty to simple assault.

Adhering to the terms of the plea agreement, Judge Gumbs Carty sentenced Chalwell to six months’ imprisonment with all but one week suspended and dismissed the remaining two counts against him. After his release from the Bureau of Corrections, Chalwell will be placed on supervised probation, he has to complete 30 hours of community service at the Humane Society and he must enroll in and complete an anger management program and an alcohol and substance abuse program. Judge Gumbs Carty also ordered Chalwell to pay $825 in fees and fines, to write a letter of apology to Ragbersingh and pay restitution to him.

According to Officer Julie Sewer’s probable cause fact sheet detailing the incident, Chalwell was at El Cubano nightclub harassing the women there. When Ragbersingh told him to leave the women alone, he began striking Ragbersingh, hitting him repeatedly. Police arrived on the scene, arrested Chalwell and charged him with simple assault and disturbance of the peace. Chalwell was then transported to Schneider Hospital to be treated for injuries he suffered during the fight.

While at the hospital, Chalwell attacked Ofc. Wharton, repeatedly head-butting and kicking him, according to Wharton’s statement. Chalwell was subsequently arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a police officer.