ST. CROIX — Attorney Darren John-Baptiste, in his response to an order to show cause filed Wednesday with the District Court, indicated he does not object to the court continuing sentencing for his client Benjamin Hendricks.
Additionally, John-Baptiste apologized to the court for being unreachable in recent days, explaining that his office was destroyed in an early morning fire on September 10, temporarily leaving him without working systems.
Hendricks, a government contractor, and co-defendant Calvert White, former Sports, Parks and Recreation commissioner, were convicted of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud on July 25 following a trial on St. Thomas.
Both defendants were found guilty of accepting bribes from David Whitaker, founder of the cybersecurity firm Mon Ethos Pro Support. Whitaker, who has accepted a plea agreement, is scheduled to be sentenced at 9 a.m. January 21, 2026.
Judge Mark Kearney filed an order Monday rescheduling White’s sentencing to 9 a.m. January 22, 2026 from December 5.
READ MORE: Calvert White’s sentencing for bribery conviction rescheduled to January 22, 2026
Kearney indicated in the order that the court was unable to contact John-Baptiste regarding Hendricks’ sentencing hearing, which was scheduled for December 2. Kearney gave John-Baptiste until Wednesday to show cause in a memorandum as to why Hendricks’ sentencing should not be rescheduled to January 22 or 23, 2026. John-Baptiste, in his response, had no objection to either date.
Kearney filed an order Wednesday setting Hendricks’ sentencing for noon on January 22, 2026, the same day as White’s sentencing. Kearney requested that sentencing memoranda setting forth any factual and legal authority upon which Hendricks will rely at sentencing and any pending motions be filed between January 9 and 14, 2026.
Kearney indicated in his orders rescheduling the sentencing hearings for both Hendricks and White that he was mindful of pending motions for retrial that are awaiting briefing.
Attorney Clive Rivers, who represents White, 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
John-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
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.
