Federal Jury Convicts B.O.C. Inmate Of Contraband Possession; Two Other Inmates Plead Guilty

ST. THOMAS — United States Attorney Gretchen C. F. Shappert announced Thursday that a Federal jury handed down a guilty verdict against Michael Hendrickson 28, for possession of prison contraband on Wednesday, following a one-day trial.

“Contraband cell phones in correctional facilities create a security threat for correctional officers, others prisoners, and potential witnesses,” said Shappert. “Contraband phones can be used by inmates to conduct criminal activities and threaten the well-being of persons housed in the facility and on the street. Possession of these items is a federal offense”.

According to trial testimony, on March 14, 2018, a Bureau of Corrections (B.O.C.) sargent conducted a routine pat-down of Hendrickson as he entered a restricted area within the Alexander Farrelly Justice Complex. The officer identified a hard object concealed in the inmate’s clothing. The officer removed the item and discovered that it was a cellular telephone. Cellular telephones are prohibited items in the Bureau of Corrections and inmates are forbidden from possessing them under federal law.

Michael Hendrickson (Credit: VIPD)

Two other B.O.C. inmates, Gamba Potter, 33, and K’Moi Corraspe, 24, previously entered guilty pleas to the same charge of possessing cellular telephones while inmates at the Bureau of Corrections. Potter entered his guilty plea on November 6, 2016, and Corraspe entered his guilty plea on October 31, 2018.

Defendants each face a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. The date for Hendrickson’s sentencing is scheduled for March 21, 2019. Sentencing for Potter is set for December 20, 2018, and January 9, 2019 for Corraspe.

These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections. They are all being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Everard E. Potter.