ST. THOMAS — John Jackson, 30, appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller for a preliminary and detention hearing after his arrest on Saturday by Homeland Security Investigations for Production of Child Pornography, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced. At this time Mr. Jackson remains in custody pending trial. Mr. Jackson was arrested by the Virgin Islands Police Department earlier this month after admitting to raping a 15-year-old minor.
According to court records, Mr. Jackson allegedly transported a fifteen year old minor from a local high school to his residence. There he sexually assaulted the minor female and used the minor’s cellular phone to create a video of himself engaged in the sexual assault upon the minor.
Information provided in the courtroom indicated that Mr. Jackson is the son of prominent Virgin Islander and three times world boxing champion Julien “the Hawk” Jackson. He is also a profession boxer in his own right, having represented the Virgin Islands as both an amateur and professional fighter internationally on the mainland United States. In August 2015, he won an important bout against Dennis Laurente of Manila in the opener of a two-match super welterweight tournament. All three judges scored the fight 100-89. In July 2016, however, Mr. Jackson was knocked out in the eighth round during a boxing match with opponent Jermell Charlo.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Virgin Islands Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter.
United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that an arrest warrant is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Suspected child exploitation or missing children cases may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children via its toll-free 24–hour hotline at 202-514-5678, or to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at (787) 729-6969.
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