ST. CROIX — The District Court has unsealed a federal cocaine distribution case against Shakoi Mactavious following his arrest Wednesday on St. John for assault and firearm possession, according to court records.
Mactavious, 27, was charged locally with third-degree assault and using a firearm during a crime of violence after allegedly striking a man with the butt of a gun during a fight outside the Cruz Bay Post Office.
A responding police officer reportedly found two men fighting on the ground and removed a black handgun from Mactavious. Witnesses told the officer that Mactavious used the weapon to strike the victim.
Although Mactavious’ white T-shirt was “drenched in blood,” a detective found no major injuries beyond scrapes on his face and hands, according to court documents. Mactavious declined medical treatment. The victim, however, sustained deep lacerations to his forehead and the left side of his head.
“I never expected a man in a wheelchair to pull a gun on me,” the victim told the detective when asked to provide a statement.
The victim told the detective he was walking and “out of nowhere” Mactavious pulled a gun on him.
“I wrestled with him holding the gun and y’all came and saw the gun in his hand,” the victim said before refusing to provide any further information.
Mactavious refused to give a statement and was arrested. Unable to post $25,000 bail, he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections and appeared for an advice-of-rights hearing Thursday in Superior Court on St. Thomas. His arraignment is set for September 12.
Following his arrest, the District Court unsealed Mactavious’ federal case on Thursday given that he was in custody. Prosecutors allege he sold two baggies containing 31.18 grams of cocaine to an undercover agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for $200 on November 22, 2024 in Cruz Bay. Lab tests confirmed the substance was cocaine. Mactavious was then formally charged with one count of distribution of a controlled substance, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The drug buy was part of a joint operation the DEA led with assistance from the FBI and Virgin Islands Police Department to target a local group known to distribute narcotics in Cruz Bay.
With Mactavious now in custody, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cherrisse Amaro filed a motion seeking his pretrial detention. She argued that federal law requires detention if no conditions can reasonably ensure the defendant’s appearance in court and the safety of others.
Amaro noted that a rebuttable presumption in favor of detention applies when a defendant is charged with a drug offense carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years or more. If the defendant fails to present sufficient evidence to rebut the presumption, it may justify detention on its own. Even if rebutted, the presumption remains a factor in the court’s analysis.
Amaro argued the presumption applies in Mactavious’ case, which involves a 20-year maximum penalty, and that the court must now determine whether he has overcome that presumption and whether detention is still warranted based on the totality of the evidence.
Mactavious’ detention hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. on September 2 in District Court on St. Thomas.
