Former VI Police Commissioner Sentenced To 10 Years
St. Thomas, VI –United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that Ray Martinez, former Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD), was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney to 120 months in federal prison for his role in a public corruption scheme involving bribery, honest services wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Kearney ordered Martinez to serve three years of supervised release. The Court also entered a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $127,870.34; ordered restitution totaling $77,257.39; imposed a $5,000 fine; and ordered the payment of $900 in special assessments.
Following a jury trial, Martinez was convicted of five counts of Honest Services Wire Fraud, one count of Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds, one count of Money Laundering Conspiracy, and two counts of Obstruction of Justice. Evidence presented at trial established that Martinez abused his position as VIPD Commissioner by accepting numerous bribes from government contractor David Whitaker in exchange for official actions benefiting Whitaker and his business. The bribes included luxury travel, hotel accommodations, school tuition payments, rent payments, restaurant-related expenses, and other personal benefits.
The evidence further established that Martinez approved and facilitated government payments to Whitaker’s company, Mon Ethos, including inflated invoices funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. The scheme generated more than $1 million in government payments to Mon Ethos and resulted in substantial personal benefits to Martinez.
The jury also found that Martinez obstructed the federal investigation by attempting to conceal the bribery scheme, directing efforts to destroy or transfer evidence, and creating a false promissory note that was later produced in response to a federal grand jury subpoena.
“Corruption is inexcusable,” said United States Attorney Adam Sleeper. “Public officials—especially law enforcement—have a duty to protect the people they serve. This sentence provides accountability and serves as a warning for those who would betray the public trust.”
“This case demonstrates the strong partnership between the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in combating public corruption,” said Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “No public official is above the law, and today’s sentencing reinforces our shared commitment to safeguarding the integrity of government institutions to the benefit of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Trial Attorney Alexandre Dempsey of the Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Cherrisse R. Amaro of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands.