Man Accused of Knife Assault, Continuous Harassment of Elderly Woman Following Recent Split

ST. THOMAS — A man was arrested for barging into his former partner's home and holding a knife to her throat, the latest in a series of harassing and violent behavior.

According to court documents, last week Friday, a woman and her son went to the Domestic Violence Unit to report an assault. She told police that she was getting ready for work that morning and was just about to leave her house around 6:30 a.m.

Due to her imminent departure, the woman said that her front door was open, and she suddenly saw Kelvin Snaggs enter the kitchen where she was standing. The woman disclosed that she and Snaggs had previously been in a relationship that ended years earlier.

Snaggs reportedly grabbed a large knife from the kitchen counter before grabbing the woman by the throat with one hand, weapon in the other. The woman said she tried to push away the hand that was holding the knife, sustaining a laceration in the process. Unsuccessful in freeing herself, the woman told police that she began to shout, asking why Snaggs wanted to kill her.

The woman's tenant heard the commotion and lifted one of the window louvers from the outside to see what was going on. When he saw Snaggs holding his landlady by the throat, the tenant shouted out that he had called the police, prompting the woman's assailant to flee the scene.

The elderly woman told police that this incident was part of a long string of harassing behavior. Snaggs has reportedly damaged her vehicle and made unauthorized copies of her keys on prior occasions. The woman has made at least five previous police reports regarding his behavior.

The woman's son, who lives overseas, told police that he has received messages from Snaggs previously, reminding him that his mother is elderly and lives alone. He said that Snaggs has sent people to his mother, a tactic he thinks is being used to ascertain whether he (the son) is on island or not.

When officers spoke to the woman's tenant, he corroborated her story and also noted that this was an ongoing issue.

Snaggs turned himself in on Friday evening, and was arrested and charged with second and third-degree assault, simple assault, unlawful entry, and stalking, all as crimes of domestic violence. He was also charged with criminal abuse or neglect of an elder, using a dangerous weapon in a crime of violence, and disturbance of the peace.

He was remanded into custody and appeared on October 28 before Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull for his advice of rights hearing.

In court on Monday, the judge ordered that bail for Snaggs be set at $35,000, with a provision to pay 20% in cash to secure his release ahead of trial. If able to meet those conditions, he will be required to report to the probation office twice a week in person. Snaggs will also be required to surrender all passports as well as his driver's license, and must stay at least 50 feet away from his former partner at all times.

His next court appearance is scheduled for November 15.

Editor’s note: domestic violence is a serious issue in the Virgin Islands and across the nation. If you are seeking assistance in leaving or dealing with an abusive relationship, the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix (24/7 Hotline 340-773-9272) and the Family Resource Center on St. Thomas 24/7 Hotline 340-776-7867) may be able to help.