Man accused of knife attack, continued harassment of elderly woman after recent breakup

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

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

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

Snaggs reportedly grabbed a large knife from the counter before grabbing the woman by the throat with one hand and the gun in the other. The woman said she tried to push away the hand holding the knife, suffering a laceration. The woman was unable to free herself and told police she began screaming and asking why Snaggs wanted to kill her.

The woman’s tenant heard the commotion and lifted one of the window slats from outside to see what was happening. Seeing Snaggs holding his landlady by the throat, the tenant shouted that he had called the police, prompting the woman’s attacker to flee the scene.

The older woman told police that this incident was part of a long series of harassing behavior. Snaggs allegedly damaged her vehicle and made unauthorized copies of her keys on previous occasions. The woman has made at least five previous police reports about his behavior.

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

When officers spoke with the woman’s tenant, he confirmed her story and also noted that this was an ongoing problem.

Snaggs turned himself in 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 abuse or neglect of an elder, use of a dangerous weapon in a crime of violence and disturbing the peace.

He was remanded in custody and appeared before Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull on October 28 for his opinion on the hearing.

On Monday, the court judge ordered bail for Snaggs to be set at $35,000, with a provision to pay 20% cash to secure his release before trial. If he can meet these conditions, he will have to report personally to the probation office twice a week. Snaggs will also have to surrender all passports and his driver’s license and must remain at least 15 meters 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 problem in the Virgin Islands and across the country. If you are looking for help leaving or coping 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 ) might help.