St. Croix man charged after broomstick fight with sister over Wi-Fi debt

A financial disagreement between siblings sharing an Estate St. John property on St. Croix turned violent on Tuesday morning, resulting in arrest and domestic violence charges.

Brian D. Johnston faces counts of simple assault and battery domestic violence, unlawful entry, and disturbance of the peace by fighting. He was brought before Magistrate Judge Yolan Brow Ross on Wednesday at the R.H. Amphlett Leader Justice Center in Kingshill for an advice of rights hearing.

The incident unfolded shortly after 10 a.m. on November 3 when police responded to the residence following reports of an active disturbance. According to investigating officer Jareema J. Perdereaux's probable cause statement, Johnston entered his sister's unlocked home after she did not answer two of his calls. He confronted her about the internet service she had disabled. When she explained he owed money for the Wi-Fi, Johnston countered that she owed him $250 for a boat rack.

After his sister rejected this claim, Johnston attacked her in bed. The violence spread through the house, with Johnston wielding a broomstick against her. A man working outside heard the commotion, came inside, and found the pair facing each other with Johnston holding the broomstick and his sister holding a glass bottle. This witness separated them and called emergency services.

The confrontation continued outdoors. Johnston struck his sister's vehicle. She then boarded his boat and manipulated its throttle. Johnston pulled her from the boat and threw her down, causing her to hit the trailer. Police documented scratches on her legs, chest, neck, and lower back, plus bruising on her upper shoulder and redness on her chest.

Johnston gave police a different version. He said his children woke him reporting no internet, leading him to call his sister about offsetting his service debt against money her partner owed him. He acknowledged damaging her vehicle but said he removed her from his boat only to protect it. He also claimed his sister threatened to shoot him and reached toward a bedroom dresser, causing him to restrain her hands. Officers found no firearm and Johnston could not describe one.

Police observed scratches on Johnston's cheek, ear, nose, and chin. He refused medical care at the scene. He was held without bail under domestic violence law and taken to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility. His formal arraignment is set for November 18, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Courtroom CR-103.