St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – On November 11, 2022, the Economic Crimes Unit initiated an investigation into multiple Obtaining Money by False Pretense complaints filed by a business. The investigation revealed that Jahreema Barnes embezzled $48,891.48 from the complainant’s business account by depositing several different vendors checks into her personal account at USAA without authorization.

Jahreema Barnes

As a result, an arrest warrant was issued for Jahreema Barnes on October 24, 2023.

On November 15, 2023, at approximately 11:20 a.m., Jahreema Barnes, age 39 surrender herself at the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station, where she was placed under arrest and advised of her Miranda Rights, which she waived and signed. Jahreema Barnes was subsequently booked and charged with Obtaining Money by False Pretense, Grand Larceny, Embezzlement by Employee, Identity Theft, and Access to Computer for Fraudulent Purposes.

Unable to post bail in the amount of $35,000.00, Jahreema Barnes was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending her Advice of Right’s Hearing scheduled for Friday, November 17, 2023, at the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands.

# # #

All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.