A Charlotte Amalie shopping spree with an unauthorized credit card led one visitor to take a side trip to the St. Thomas jail. According to an affidavit filed in District Court late last week, the defendant told authorities he bought over $20,000 worth of merchandise with a card he purchased over the internet for $15.
Defendant Chadwick Jenkins II was detained June 17 at the Cyril E. King Airport and initially charged with making false statements and fraud, a violation of United States Code Title 18, Section 1029(a)(5). He appeared at a detention hearing at the Ron deLugo Federal Building on Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Ruth Miller.
In documents filed with the court, an investigator for the Department of Homeland Security said Jenkins was held after a Customs officer inspected a carry-on travel bag at the departure gate. The inspection turned up an undeclared diamond necklace and a Rolex watch.
Homeland Security Special Agent Christopher Ramnes estimated the value of the two items at $20,700.
At the time, Jenkins was getting ready to board a commercial flight to Atlanta. One day earlier, on June 16, Jenkins was seen on camera visiting a downtown jewelry store, making a purchase.
“… I respectfully submit to the Court that probable cause exists to believe that on or about June 16, 2022, within the District of the Virgin Islands, that Jenkins did knowingly and with intent to defraud effect transactions to receive things of value worth approximately $20,790 by presenting a Mastercard issued to another person,” Ramnes said.
In an interview given to authorities following his arrest, the defendant said he bought the Mastercard used to buy the jewelry on the Dark Web for $15. On Tuesday, Miller set a $7,500 appearance bond to be co-signed by a third-party custodian before Jenkins could be released, pending further court action.
According to a March 30 article appearing on the tech information website Kim Komando, there are 1.6 stolen credit card numbers for sale on the Dark Web.
The article cites a study conducted by the group NordVPN, which says the average cost to purchase a stolen card is $10. The most popular cards among thieves in cyberspace are the Visa Debitcard, Mastercard, and American Express.
