St. Thomas – The conclusion of a week-long federal corruption trial that has rocked the power halls of the Bryan-Roach Administration, found the two defendants, former Virgin Islands Police Commissioner Ray Martinez and former Virgin Islands Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal, guilty on all counts. The convictions involve two of the Territory’s most prominent and powerful public officials, whose fall from grace leaves a black-eye on government in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The jury did not take long in their deliberations to find Mr. Martinez, who faced 10 counts in total, was guilty of five counts of Honest Services Wire Fraud, Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds, Money Laundering Conspiracy, and two counts of Obstructing Justice, which were tied to efforts by Mr. Martinez to destroy evidence and fabricate a cover up.
Ms. O’Neal was also found guilty of all charges. Two counts of Honest Services Wire Fraud, Money Laundering Conspiracy. and Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds.
Mr. Martinez and Ms. O’Neal were indicted in January 2025, after being accused of accepting payments and kickbacks from a former contractor and convicted felon, David Whitaker. Mr. Whitaker, who became a cooperating witness for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in September 2023, had dealings with both Ms. O’Neal and Mr. Martinez, and whose testimony eventually lead to the basis for the government’s case.
The landmark corruption case was built on countless hours of investigation, thousands of secret recordings, the detection of inflated invoices, and a $17,730 lease payment that prosecutors proved was a coordinated breach of public trust.
“It was all calculated, deliberate and corrupt,” Assistant U.S. Attorney told jurors during the government’s closing statements.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Both Mr. Martinez and Ms. O’Neal’s sentencing hearing is set for June 10, 2026.
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