DOCKET WATCH: Superior Court Criminal Calendar for May 20, 2026
TERRITORIAL ARRAIGNMENTS: Ke'Shawn Louis, 21 (left), and Hubert Charles, 69 (right), appeared on the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands' criminal docket on St. Croix on Wednesday. Louis faces severe felony charges, including first-degree attempted murder and arson, following his recent apprehension near Salt River. Charles faces charges of unauthorized firearm and ammunition possession stemming from a weekend domestic incident in Belvedere. (Photos: Virgin Islands Police Department)
By JOHN McCARTHY / St. Croix Sun Staff Writer
KINGSHILL — The Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, District of St. Croix, convened a high-volume criminal session today before the Honorable Yolan C. Brow Ross in Courtroom CR-103. The morning docket, which got underway at 9:00 AM, featured a heavy slate of arraignments, bail hearings, and status conferences handled by the Office of the Territorial Public Defender and the Virgin Islands Department of Justice.
The session provided a clear cross-section of the territory's active criminal filings, highlighting cases ranging from heavy-offense weapons charges to severe felony offenses.
Key Arraignments and Felony Filings
The court heard a rapid succession of arraignments today, formalizing charges across a variety of major criminal code infractions:
Ke'Shawn Louis (Case Nos. SX-2026-CR-00118 & SX-2026-CR-00119): Face to face with some of the most severe charges on today's docket, Louis was arraigned on multiple felony offenses, including Arson under 14 V.I.C. 661 and Attempted Murder in the First Degree under 14 V.I.C. 922(a)(1) and 14 V.I.C. 331 (1).
Richard Dupigny (Case No. SX-2026-CR-00117): Arraigned on domestic violence and assault charges, including Assault in the Third Degree (14 V.I.C. 296 (3)) alongside charges under the domestic violence statutes 16 V.I.C 91(b)(1) and 91(b)(2).
Josean Rodriguez (Case No. SX-2026-CR-00120): Formally arraigned on charges of Simple Assault and Battery (14 V.I.C. 299(1)) coupled with domestic violence enhancements (16 V.I.C 91(b)(1) and 91(b)(2)).
Claudio Ponce, Jr. (Case No. SX-2026-CR-00121): Arraigned on felony property crimes, facing Grand Larceny charges under 14 V.I.C. 1083.
Catherine Willey (Case No. SX-2026-CR-00115): Arraigned on traffic-related criminal charges under 20 V.I.C. 493(a)(1) for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
Continued Bail Hearings
Two significant firearms cases were called before Judge Brow Ross but were ultimately pushed down the line. The court ordered continuances for formal bail arguments in the following matters:
Keishawn Monsanto (Case No. SX-2026-CR-00127): Facing charges of carrying or using a dangerous weapon during the commission of a crime of violence (14 V.I.C. 2253(a)). The matter was continued for a dedicated bail hearing.
Hubert Charles (Case No. SX-2026-CR-00128): Charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (14 V.I.C. 2256(a)). His matter was similarly continued for a formal bail hearing.
Status Conferences
Melissa Ann Cunningham (Case No. SX-2026-CR-00103): Cunningham appeared before the court for a scheduled Status Conference under the criminal procedure rules of 5 V.I.C. 3802. The state and defense are continuing to review discovery and pre-trial positioning.
Court Administration Note: Today’s criminal calendar was formally prepared and certified by Court Clerk II Adilem Montas. All defendants are represented by the Office of the Territorial Public Defender and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The St. Croix Sun's Court Watch is driven directly by official court dockets, judicial filings, and territorial records to ensure transparent local government accountability.
