WTJX Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System

On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: Assistant U.S. Attorney Cherrisse Amaro, justified the prosecution’s sentencing recommendation of former OMB Director Jenifer O’Neal who was convicted in her public corruption case; we hear from our reporter Isabelle Teare who was in the courtroom. Fire officials are investigating the cause of an early morning blaze in Estate Mariendahl on St. Thomas that destroyed six trucks but caused no injuries or damage to nearby structures. Lawmakers have advanced an amended bill redirecting dormant first-time homebuyer funds toward Williams Delight homeownership assistance, the VI Slice program, and a revived Cistern and Slab initiative with VIHFA. Listen to these stories and more.

WTJX NEWSFEED: June 12, 2026 On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: Assistant U.S. Attorney Cherrisse Amaro, justified the prosecution’s sentencing recommendation of former OMB Director Jenifer O’Neal who was convicted in her public corruption case; we hear from our reporter Isabelle Teare who was in the courtroom.

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In the letters, O’Neal’s four children — Jade Daniel, Jafari Daniel, Jhaquoi O’Neal, and Jhakief O’Neal — portrayed their mother as a deeply religious, honest, and selfless public servant whose life has been defined by service to her family, community, and government.

Her siblings recalled how their sister stepped into a parental role after their mother’s death, helping raise younger brothers, managing household responsibilities, and providing emotional support and guidance.

O’Neal’s seven-year prison term is followed by three years of supervised release; a $50,000 fine; restitution in the amount of $34,345.39, jointly and severally with Martinez; forfeiture in the amount of $17,730; and $400 in special assessments. Kearney ordered O’Neal to self-surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on June 23. Pending her surrender, O’Neal will be placed on home detention with an electronic ankle monitor.

Commissioners Oriol and Gabriel, Hugo Hodge, former colleagues, family supported O’Neal with letters Letters of support submitted to court before Jenifer O’Neal’s sentencing describe the former OMB director as a public servant whose conviction was out of character.

On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: A Senate committee has advanced legislation that would allow the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to suspend licenses for repeat traffic offenders without first going through the courts. Ferry passengers traveling between St. Thomas and St. John will pay an additional 66 cents per ticket after regulators approved a temporary fuel surcharge tied to rising diesel costs. Federal authorities have charged a man on St. Thomas after investigators allegedly discovered nearly 500 rounds of undeclared ammunition in checked luggage arriving from Florida. Listen to these stories and more.

WTJX NEWSFEED: June 11, 2026 On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: A Senate committee has advanced legislation that would allow the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to suspend licenses for repeat traffic offenders without first going through the courts. Ferry passengers traveling between St. Thomas and St. John will pay an additional 66 ce...

WTJX’s Isabelle Teare has left the courtroom and is getting her notes together — stay with us when we go live with Trial Watch this evening. Follow us on Facebook or subscribe to us on YouTube so you can be notified when we go live.

BREAKING: Jenifer O’Neal is sentenced to seven (7) years in prison after being convicted of honest services wire fraud and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. The judge gave her 10 days to self surrender during which time she will be fitted with an ankle monitor. O’Neal is the former director of the Office of Management and Budget. More details from Isabelle Teare on Trial Watch early this evening.

BREAKING: the sentencing of former OMB director Jenifer O’Neal has been delayed until 1:00pm after issues arose in court over her confidence in her attorney’s ability to adequately represent her. O’Neal told Judge Mark Kearney she was just learning her sentencing memoranda had not been filed on the docket, asking “how do you determine my fate without that information?” Kearney allowed a brief adjournment to allow time for O’Neal to address concerns with her attorney, Dale Lionel Smith.

On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: Former Property & Procurement Commissioner Anthony Thomas addressed the court in support of his former boss David Whitaker — the federal government's main witness in a string of corruption convictions — who was sentenced to 22 months in prison today. Police are investigating the death of 43-year-old Julia Reynolds, whose body was recovered from waters near Salt Pond Bay on St. John. Mario Felix, 36, pleaded guilty in federal court of causing the attempted possession with intent to distribute fentanyl after investigators linked him to a package containing approximately 800 fentanyl pills intercepted in the U.S. mail. Listen to these stories and more.

WTJX NEWSFEED: June 10, 2026 On today’s WTJX Radio NewsFeed: Former Property & Procurement Commissioner Anthony Thomas addressed the court in support of his former boss David Whitaker — the federal government's main witness in a string of corruption convictions — who was sentenced to 22 months in prison today.