ST. THOMAS — Nathaniel Thomas, Jr., 30 of St. Croix, was sentenced Friday for escape from custody, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
Chief District Court Judge Wilma A. Lewis sentenced Thomas to 28 months of imprisonment consecutive to the federal sentence he is currently serving, and three years of supervised release. Judge Lewis also ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment.
On March 19, 2019, Thomas pleaded guilty to escape from custody. According to the plea agreement filed in court, on March 13, 2018, the defendant was convicted in March of 2018 of federal and local criminal charges, including felon in possession of a firearm; unauthorized possession of a firearm; and reckless endangerment in the first degree in the District Court of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix Division. Upon his conviction, the District Court Judge remanded the defendant into custody pending sentencing.
The U.S. Marshal Service transported the defendant to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix, where federal prisoners are detained pursuant to an agreement with the Attorney General of the United States. On March 15, 2018, two days after being convicted by a federal jury, the defendant escaped from the Golden Grove facility. Following an extensive manhunt by federal and territorial law enforcement, Thomas was located in Guayanilla, PR on April 7, 2018 and taken into custody.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshal Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry.
Tags: Jr., Nathaniel Thomas