A Florida federal judge has sentenced the former managing director of the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority to just over nine years in prison for participating in a cocaine smuggling scheme. The case, known as the BVI 9 Years Smuggling Lawsuit, involves a former BVI premier and the movement of tons of Colombian cocaine through BVI ports to the United States.

BVI 9 Years Smuggling Lawsuit: Sentence Details

At a hearing in Miami, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams sentenced 62-year-old Oleanvine Pickering Maynard to nine years and four months in prison, along with five years of supervised release. Maynard was found guilty of obtaining licenses for boats carrying cocaine, protecting these boats while docked at BVI ports, and paying off government officials to facilitate the drug shipments to the U.S.

Judge Williams imposed a sentence below the advisory range of 11 years and three months to 14 years. She cited Maynard's acceptance of responsibility, her advanced age, medical issues, and lack of prior criminal record as reasons for the reduced sentence. Additionally, Judge Williams acknowledged Maynard's difficult financial situation when she was recruited for the scheme, noting it provided context but not justification for her actions.

The Scheme and Arrests

Maynard was charged in April 2022 along with her son Kadeem Maynard and former BVI Premier Andrew Fahie. The charges stemmed from their involvement in moving Colombian cocaine through BVI ports to Miami. Fahie and Oleanvine Maynard were arrested on April 29, 2022, after a meeting in Miami with a government confidential source, whom they believed to be a member of the Mexican Sinaloa cartel, and an undercover officer. They discussed plans to import thousands of kilograms of cocaine. Kadeem Maynard was arrested simultaneously in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Plea Agreement and Sentencing

The Maynards pled guilty in May 2023. Oleanvine Maynard, in her plea agreement, admitted that they intended to allow the confidential source to dock vessels carrying 3,000-kilogram loads of cocaine in Tortola, BVI, for up to two days before shipping the drugs to Puerto Rico and then the mainland United States. She stated that Fahie agreed to bribe officials managing the ports and airports while she and her son secured the necessary licenses and paperwork.

BVI 9 Years Smuggling Lawsuit: Former Premier's Conviction

Andrew Fahie, who became BVI premier in February 2019, was stripped of his position by a nearly unanimous legislative vote shortly after his April 2022 arrest. He later resigned his legislative seat. In February, a federal jury in Miami convicted Fahie after a brief deliberation. However, two jurors later claimed they felt pressured to convict. Despite these claims, Judge Williams stated that her legal options were limited and upheld the verdict. Fahie's sentencing is scheduled for August 5.

Representation

The government is represented by Kevin Gerarde and Sean T. McLaughlin of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida. Maynard is represented by Raymond D'Arsey Houlihan III of the Federal Public Defender's Office.