48-Year-Old Man Pleads Guilty To Raping 13-Year-Old Girl In January. He Faces Life Imprisonment.

ST. THOMAS — Osvaldo Tavarez, seen above, age 48 of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty in District Court before Judge Curtis Gomez, to one count of transporting a minor for illegal sexual activity, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced Tuesday.

According to court documents, on or around January 30, 2018, Tavarez transported a minor child in the household, then 13 years old, from an area in Bovoni to an area in Mariendahl, and performed an act of sexual intercourse with the minor which would amount to first-degree aggravated rape under Virgin Islands law.

Tavarez faces a minimum sentence of 10 year incarceration and a maximum sentence of life. He also faces a minimum period of supervised release of 5 years and a maximum supervised release of life. In addition, Tavarez faces a maximum fine of $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for February 28, 2019.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Virgin Islands Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter.