St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – On August 14, 2025, Detectives from the Economic Crime Unit initiated an investigation following a complaint filed by the Virgin Islands Department of Finance against Jeannia Caleb. The investigation revealed that Caleb entered the First Bank-Waterfront branch on July 9, 2025, and cashed a $67, 914.32 check, issued to her and drawn on the Government of the Virgin Islands First Bank account that holds the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
The Department of Finance confirmed that the check was fraudulent and never issued to Caleb. Caleb was identified through bank surveillance, cashing the fraudulent check.
On August 28, 2025, 20-year-old Jeannia Caleb presented herself at the Economic Crime Unit and was placed under arrest and charged with Passing Forged Bills or Notes Possession of, Grand Larceny, and Obtaining Money By False Pretense. Bail was set at $20,000 by order of the court. She was then transported to the Richard Callwood Central Command for processing.
Unable to post bail, Ms. Caleb was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending her Advice of Rights hearing.
