St. Thomas Woman Unlawfully Deposits More Than $15,000 of Money Orders

A St. Thomas woman who was under investigation for theft and fraud was arrested Monday, the V.I. Police Department reported.

On May 5, 2022, the Economic Crime Unit, in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, initiated an investigation into a report of obtaining money by false pretenses. The complainant, on behalf of Royal American Management, reported that a former employee stole money orders belonging to residents of the Amalie Terrace Apartment Complex. Investigation into the complaint revealed that Jalessa Carr intentionally cashed and deposited more than $15,000 of money orders into her personal bank accounts, according to the police report.

On Monday, Jalessa Carr, 34, was arrested and charged with the crimes of obtaining money by false pretenses (26 counts), grand larceny, embezzlement by fiduciary and embezzlement by an employee pursuant to an arrest warrant issued on Monday by the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands.

Based on the incident, Carr’s bail was set at $20,000. She was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending her advice of rights hearing scheduled for Wednesday at the Superior Court.