VI man Matthew D. Hazell sentenced in USVI over cocaine conspiracy (2024)

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District Court Chief Judge Robert Molloy also sentenced Hazel to 60 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, with both sentences to run concurrently. Hazel must also pay a $200 special assessment.

On August 18, 2022, Hazel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in connection with a drug deal that occurred at the Havensight Mall on St. Thomas.

According to court documents, on October 13, 2021, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Confidential Source (CS) arranged to purchase 25 kilograms of cocaine for $312,000. On October 14, 2021, at approximately, 4:01 PM, agents, and the CS arrived at the Havensight Mall, which was the agreed-upon location, for the CS to purchase the cocaine.

Hazel was one of several individuals who arrived at the scene. Hazel arrived driving a black G35 Infiniti sedan, which bore no license plate. Upon arrival on the scene, Hazel spoke with a couple of men before he exited the G35 Infiniti as the trunk of the vehicle sprung open. Agents then observed Hazel and the CS at the rear of the G35 looking into the trunk. Moments later, agents observed Hazel close the trunk as the CS gave a signal to the agents, confirming the presence of the suspected cocaine in the G35 Infinity.

Agents arrested Hazel and the other men. After the arrest, agents recovered approximately 25 brick-like packages of suspected cocaine from the trunk of the G35 Infinity and one loaded semi-automatic Walther Arms handgun, which was on the driver’s seat.

This case is being investigated jointly by the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, Air Marine Operations, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Virgin Islands Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Melissa Ortiz and Meredith Edwards.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

13 Responses to “VI man Matthew D. Hazell sentenced in USVI over cocaine conspiracy”

• ... (28/01/2023, 15:00) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply

  boi u have more luck than sense that's small time

  • rock (28/01/2023, 18:49) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply

    10 years is a long time still, that aint luck

    • Linda (29/01/2023, 19:03) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply

      I know his mother's heart is broken, she's such a nice lady and his child will be 10 years older when he gets released. Shame shame shame on him!

• vex (28/01/2023, 15:04) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply

  This dude don’t learn

• jack (28/01/2023, 16:13) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply

  Who would not hear will feel

• Carelessness & Greed.. (28/01/2023, 16:31) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply

  Base on all these cases of set ups and informants, I will figure by now these drug dealers will get smarter, Get their own proper investigator on board..Investigate the potential buyer carefully watch him daily 24/7 for a week, they can afford to pay, they just greedy. I aint sorry for them..They prepare to take the get rich quick risk, so they should be prepared for the consequences..

• Wel (28/01/2023, 18:06) Like (38) Dislike (1) Reply

  Maybe he, Andrew, and the Maynard Mom & Son can break bread together.

• resident (28/01/2023, 22:37) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply

  Those brothers were never the same after their father died suddenly! They have put their mother through all kinds of hell. She is good people and don't deserve what they have done to her
  

• Greg (28/01/2023, 23:41) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply

  When you see them growing up looking as though they would turn out right........and here we are wrong!

• Linda (28/01/2023, 23:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

  Growing up, he was so quiet and nice. I guess what they say is true, you have to watch the quiet ones. They truly are the ones who surprise you the most.

• I late (29/01/2023, 22:03) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

  When did he get released from robbing first Caribbean? Smh you really didn’t learn, I’m beyond disappointed in your outcome.

• @ CARELESSNESS & GREED (30/01/2023, 07:24) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

  So you are much smarter / don't you think those guys who are involved in these sting operations have already prepared themselves for that ( DUH ) and a word to you Mr wise / all those involved in any illegal drugs , their turn will come , sooner or later ( do the right thing and leave that white lady alone

• Mis hap (30/01/2023, 11:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

  The updeislun DNA never fails. He will be shipped North to a real prison.