A British Virgin Islands citizen is facing federal charges in the United States after authorities allegedly discovered material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor on his mobile phone following his arrest for illegally re-entering the USVI.
According to VI Consortium, Bruce Wheatley was identified by federal agents in Havensight, St. Thomas, last Friday after having previously been deported to Tortola in May and barred from re-entering the United States for five years.
Court documents state that agents detained Wheatley after recognising him and questioned him about his immigration status. He reportedly admitted travelling to St. John despite knowing he was prohibited from entering the United States.
While in custody, Wheatley reportedly requested access to his seized mobile phone. According to court filings cited by VI Consortium, agents supervising his use of the device observed what appeared to be sexually explicit videos on WhatsApp.
The publication reported that one of the videos allegedly depicted the sexual assault of a minor boy by an adult woman.
Wheatley has been charged with illegally entering the United States after previously being deported, as well as possession of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors.
According to VI Consortium, Wheatley appeared before United States Magistrate Alan Teague on Monday, who found probable cause to uphold the charges and appointed a federal public defender to represent him.
The publication further reported that Wheatley's attorney agreed to the prosecution's request that he remain in detention pending further court proceedings.
According to VI Consortium, Bruce Wheatley was identified by federal agents in Havensight, St. Thomas, last Friday after having previously been deported to Tortola in May and barred from re-entering the United States for five years.
Court documents state that agents detained Wheatley after recognising him and questioned him about his immigration status. He reportedly admitted travelling to St. John despite knowing he was prohibited from entering the United States.
While in custody, Wheatley reportedly requested access to his seized mobile phone. According to court filings cited by VI Consortium, agents supervising his use of the device observed what appeared to be sexually explicit videos on WhatsApp.
The publication reported that one of the videos allegedly depicted the sexual assault of a minor boy by an adult woman.
Wheatley has been charged with illegally entering the United States after previously being deported, as well as possession of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors.
According to VI Consortium, Wheatley appeared before United States Magistrate Alan Teague on Monday, who found probable cause to uphold the charges and appointed a federal public defender to represent him.
The publication further reported that Wheatley's attorney agreed to the prosecution's request that he remain in detention pending further court proceedings.
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