Mapp Special Assistant Allegedly Strangles Wife, Disrupting Her Ability To Breathe

ST. CROIX — Gregory Rafael Naar, a special assistant to Governor Kenneth Mapp, was charged on Saturday by the V.I.P.D. with assault and simple assault after allegedly strangling his wife, which hindered her ability to breathe. The incident occurred late Friday night, according to V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte.

Mr. Dratte issued the release about the incident Saturday afternoon based on the report he received from officers. The release said the individual that Mr. Naar strangled was an acquaintance; police are usually vague with domestic violence cases in an attempt to protect the victim. However, Mr. Naar’s wife, who goes by the name of Ann Gumbs on Facebook, revealed that she was the one strangled by her husband.

Below is the first Facebook post from Ms. Gumbs on the incident, some words edited for clarity.

“I’m restless, in pain, terrified, and hurt. My husband Gregory Rafael Naar encountered an assault domestic violence 2nd degree strangulation charge,” she said. “I’m awaiting to see if he would be arrested and punishable by law with the charges as a civilian or would be given a slap on his wrist and be release on his own recognizance by a direct order from Ken Mapp administration. First officers to respond to my home was Governor Ken Mapp three bodyguards. Not the police units. Where does the Virgin Islands stand with reprimanding their own kind.”

Ms. Gumbs detailed the incident in the comments section of her own post. “Yes my husband punched me and strangled me because he came half-drunk from campaigning for Ken Mapp at the headquarters in Sion Farm,” she wrote. “Power and position as Governor Mapp’s special assistant. These practices and actions of power make individuals with no certifications and experience feel that the Mapp administration is untouchable even when laws are in place.”

Relative to domestic violence cases, suspects in the USVI are not provided bail, which is in accordance with the territory’s domestic violence laws. And in the V.I.P.D.’s press release on this incident, law enforcement appeared to have followed the law as Mr. Dratte said no bail was granted to the suspect.

However, Ms. Gumbs said in another post on Facebook that Mr. Naar, 28, was released before attending his advisement hearing, which would have most likely been scheduled for Monday.

“It’s unbelievable that I gave thanks to the bureau of VIPD and ESU just a while ago. Now getting a civilian phone call stating that my husband Gregory Naar is out. Not one individual has notified myself or family of his release or conditions. However, I’m not supposed to believe that anyone is above the law. A regular civilian would have been in jail until Monday morning for hearing. What happened here….?WHY WAS I NOT NOTIFIED… when I’m in fear of my life and children as well. NO ANSWERS until I post to be heard. It really takes bravery and courage while hurting inside,” Ms. Gumbs wrote.