Federal prosecutors charged a 65-year-old St. Croix man with sexual exploitation of a child, coercion and enticement, aggravated rape, and unlawful sexual contact for his interactions with a 13-year-old girl — two years after it was first reported, U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Monday.
Juan Bermudez, also known as Tio Felo, allegedly used his Samsung cellphone to record himself engaging in sex acts with the prepubescent daughter of a family friend, according to court records.
The alleged encounters were first reported by a parent in March 2022, according to court records. In August of that year the parent reported the girl had sneaked out to meet Bermudez at a bar. The parent punished the girl by seizing her phone, on which they discovered sexually explicit messages, images, and videos. Homeland Security agents interviewed the girl in September 2023. She allegedly told police of a sexually-active relationship with Bermudez ongoing since May 2022.
It is illegal in the Virgin Islands for someone over 18 to engage in sex with someone under 18.
If convicted, Bermudez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 to 15 years and up to life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
