ST. CROIX — Former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez self-surrendered to federal authorities shortly after 9 a.m. today on St. Thomas following his conviction in a high-profile corruption case as he awaits sentencing.
Martinez had been ordered by the District Court to self-surrender to the U.S. Marshals Service after he was convicted on December 11, 2025 along with co-defendant Jenifer O’Neal, former director of the Office of Management and Budget. Martinez was initially ordered to self-surrender no later than 2 p.m. on February 17.
Four days before his self-surrender date, Martinez’s attorneys filed a last-minute motion on February 13 seeking to delay his reporting date for medical treatment, citing urgent health concerns and scheduled procedures. Prosecutors opposed the request, characterizing the delay as unjustified and inconsistent with prior representations while noting the Bureau of Prisons is equipped to evaluate and treat medical conditions upon intake. A federal judge ultimately denied the motion, and Martinez reported for custody as ordered.
The prosecution subsequently moved to push back Martinez’s self-surrender date to no later than 10 a.m. today to allow the Marshall Service’s direct transfer to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.
Martinez arrived at the Ron de Lugo Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse wearing a light gray sweatshirt and dark gray pants, accompanied by LaVelle Campbell, whose career in law enforcement included anti-gang work in partnership with the Virgin Islands Police Department, although he was never a VIPD officer. He showed no emotion as he hugged Campbell before entering the building.
Martinez and O’Neal accepted bribes from David Whitaker, a former contractor with the Virgin Islands Police Department who owned the cybersecurity company Mon Ethos Pros Support.
At trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Martinez and O’Neal engaged in schemes to steer government contracts in exchange for bribes and other improper benefits from Whitaker, violating the public trust and federal law. Whitaker testified as a cooperating government witness.
Martinez, who led the Virgin Islands Police Department for three years until his resignation in June 2024, accepted nearly $100,000 in bribe payments from Whitaker. Martinez approved VIPD invoices to award Whitaker a $1.4 million federally funded contract. O’Neal approved a $70,000 inflated invoice under that same contract and later accepted a $17,730 lease payment for her coffee shop using federal funds from the inflated invoice.
Martinez and O’Neal were found guilty on all counts charged against them — honest services wire fraud, federal program bribery, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Martinez was also convicted of obstruction of justice. Both have filed motions for judgment of acquittal.
Following the guilty verdict, the judge set sentencing hearings for June, with Martinez’s sentencing scheduled for June 9. Ahead of that hearing, Martinez was required to enter custody and await his term of imprisonment. O’Neal’s sentencing is scheduled for June 11. She was allowed to remain released on her own recognizance pending sentencing. Both sentencing hearings are scheduled for 9 a.m. in District Court on St. Thomas.
This article has been updated to clarify that LaVelle Campbell’s career in law enforcement included anti-gang work in partnership with the Virgin Islands Police Department, although he was never a VIPD officer.
