Governor Orders Two Men Deported
Governor Daniel Pruce has ordered Jerome St Elmore Mapp and Pedro Mercedes Soto to be removed from the Territory, according to a Deportation Order gazetted October 14, 2025. The order, made October 7, 2025, follows convictions for a child sexual offence and drug possession; the men's nationalities were not disclosed.
Governor Daniel Pruce has issued a deportation order directing that two men be placed on the first available ship or aircraft leaving the Virgin Islands, official records show. The Deportation Order, gazetted on October 14, 2025 and made on October 7, 2025, names Jerome St Elmore Mapp and Pedro Mercedes Soto.
The order states that Mapp was convicted of the offence of having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of thirteen years. Soto was convicted of possession of a controlled drug. The order instructs that both men "be placed on board the first available ship or aircraft about to leave the Territory." The nationality of both men was not disclosed in the gazetted order.
Deportation orders are formal instruments used by the Territory's executive authorities and are typically published in the Gazette to make the action a matter of public record. These orders generally follow criminal convictions where removal from the Territory is deemed appropriate; in this case, the convictions cited include a serious child sexual offence and a drug-related offence.
The Gazette notice does not provide details on the timing or destination of the removals, nor does it state whether the men have any outstanding legal appeals or applications for leave to remain. In many jurisdictions, deportation orders may be subject to legal challenge or judicial review, and residents may expect further updates if court proceedings are ongoing.
Local residents may find reassurance that the Territory's authorities are acting on convictions for serious offences, but the published notice also leaves open questions about process and oversight given the absence of nationality information and logistical details. Officials responsible for immigration and corrections have not released additional comment as of the gazette notice.
BVI Live will monitor the situation and report further developments, including any statements from government agencies, court proceedings, or confirmation of removal dates. For now, the Gazette entry serves as the formal record of the governor's decision and the basis for the imminent removals described in the order.
Primary source: VINO