Paul Girard, AKA ‘Bogus’, And 10 Members Of Criminal Organization Indicted By Feds On Five Alleged Murders And Other Violent Crimes

SAN JUAN, PR — Paul Girard, also known as “Bogus”, and ten members of his criminal organization were indicted on Friday under the provisions of the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), by a federal grand jury sitting in St. Thomas, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Saturday.

The indictment comes on the heels of a surging violent crime situation in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with five homicides occurring on St. Croix in the first 17 days of January, along with a shooting in St. Thomas that left three men injured.

According to the U.S. D.O.J. release, a third superseding indictment was signed in the U.S. District Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas and St. John, charging Mr. Girard and members of his organization with violations of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 1962(d) RICO, in addition to violations involving murder and attempted murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping, carjacking, controlled substance conspiracy, armed robbery, attempt bank robbery, money laundering, violent crimes in aid of RICO, and several firearms violations to include brandishing, discharging and use of a firearm resulting in death. Additional RICO Forfeiture charges were included under 18 U.S.C. Section 1963.

The following 11 defendants were included in the indictment: Mr. Girard, Shaquan Prentice AKA Dangles, Robert Brown AKA Big Bully, Wahilli James AKA Dapa, Shaquielle Correa AKA Shaq, James Cruz AKA Igol, Kareem Harry AKA Crumbull, Tyler Eugene AKA Lucc, Etherneal Simon, Shermyra Gumbs and Wayne Bellille.

If convicted, defendants face potential penalties of life imprisonment.

The case is being investigated by the FBI San Juan Field Office, St. Thomas Resident Agency, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Marshal Service (USMS), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD), the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections (VI BOC), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), United States Coast Guard (USCG), and Crime Stoppers USVI. The case is prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F Shappert, AUSA Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte, and Chief Criminal Division AUSA G.A. Massuco-La Taif. The Indictment was signed by the Honorable District Judge Curtis V. Gomez.

The public’s help is essential for the FBI in investigating these violent criminals and collecting evidence and testimony to charge the gang with RICO violations. The RICO statute provides the FBI with a tool to charge all the members of the criminal organization with enhanced criminal penalties and higher prison terms. Public tips and information assist the FBI and its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to hold these organized criminals accountable for their actions and help bring them to justice. Citizens with information are asked to contact the FBI San Juan Field Office at 787-754-6000, or to submit tips through the FBI’s tip line available on its website. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

The public is reminded an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.