ST. CROIX — The District Court has rescheduled the sentencing hearing for former Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White following his bribery conviction to 9 a.m. January 22, 2026, according to an order filed today.
Judge Mark Kearney, in his order rescheduling the sentencing, noted White has a pending motion for retrial that is awaiting briefing.
A jury found White and co-defendant Benjamin Hendricks, a government contractor, guilty of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud on July 25.
White’s attorney, Clive Rivers, filed a motion August 7 seeking a new trial. He argued Kearney made a factual determination that should have been left to the jury.
READ MORE: Calvert White’s attorney files motion for new trial, claims judge improperly answered jury question
Hendricks’ attorney, Darren Jean-Baptiste, joined in White’s motion seeking a new trial.
READ MORE: Hendricks joins White’s motion for new trial, ignores civil suit for over $30K in unpaid materials
White and Hendricks were found guilty of accepting bribes from David Whitaker, the founder of the cybersecurity firm Mon Ethos Pro Support who has accepted a plea agreement. Whitaker’s sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. January 21, 2026.
Former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez and former Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal were also indicted on federal bribery and wire fraud charges in a separate case tied to Whitaker. Their trial is pending. A status conference is scheduled for October 14.
As White awaits sentencing, he must submit to the court any factual and legal authority upon which he will rely at sentencing between January 9 and 14, 2026, and any response must be filed by January 16, 2026. Motions, including for preliminary order of forfeiture as to the defendant, shall be filed between January 9 and 14, 2026.
While White’s sentencing date is now set for January 22, 2026 instead of December 5, the court has not been able to contact Jean-Baptiste regarding Hendricks’ sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. December 2. Kearney filed an order today that gives Hendricks until Wednesday to show cause in a memorandum as to why his sentencing should not be rescheduled to January 22 or 23, 2026.
