ST. CROIX — A St. John man recently accepted a plea agreement following his arrest for distribution of cocaine and after a physical altercation with a suspected drug dealer in a wheelchair about two weeks ago outside the Cruz Bay Post Office, according to court documents.
Thomas Simon, who was arrested on the cocaine charge as part of a joint operation between federal and local authorities, pleaded guilty to selling $200 worth of cocaine to an undercover agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration during the afternoon on November 20, 2024 in Cruz Bay.
Simon accepted the plea agreement last Tuesday, which was six days after Shakoi Mactavious allegedly struck him with the butt of a firearm during a fight outside the Cruz Bay Post Office. Mactavious was subsequently charged with third-degree assault and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
After police arrested Mactavious, the District Court unsealed a federal cocaine distribution case against him on August 28 given that he was in custody. Like Simon, Mactavious’ federal case is also tied to the DEA sting, which targeted a Cruz Bay drug network.
READ MORE: Federal drug case unsealed after St. John man in wheelchair arrested on assault, firearm charges
Simon faces up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1 million for his cocaine distribution conviction in District Court. According to his plea agreement and considering the guideline sentencing range, prosecutors reserve the right to recommend a prison term not to exceed two months. The fine range is between $1,000 to $9,500. The prosecution will recommend the statutory minimum of three years of supervised release.
Simon’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on January 8, 2026 in District Court on St. Thomas.
