St. Thomas man charged after knife-handle assault on ex-partner in Nadir

A St. Thomas man is in custody facing multiple felony charges following an assault at a Nadir home on Saturday afternoon, October 31.

Kervens Louis was arrested after police responded to an emergency call at roughly 4:54 p.m. reporting violence between a separated couple, according to a police affidavit filed by Officer Muffin Isidore.

The woman told officers she had ended her relationship with Louis and moved into her own residence. When she attempted to collect belongings left at the Nadir address, Louis had initially refused to hand them over to a friend the day before, insisting she retrieve them herself. Her items included an Apple iPad, a fan, and Nike sneakers.

As she moved toward the door carrying her possessions on Saturday, Louis pushed her from behind at the neck area, blocked her path, and warned, "I will stab you," according to the probable cause fact sheet. The woman said she did not physically resist, but Louis struck her multiple times in the face with his fists. He then seized a knife and used the handle to strike her across the head and face.

Police documented severe injuries: purple bruising and swelling around her right eye, raised knots on both sides of her face, and a prominent lump across her forehead. Officers recovered the knife after the victim identified its location. A forensic technician photographed and documented the wounds.

Louis was transported to the Criminal Investigation Bureau at the Richard N. Callwood Command. During booking, he exercised his Fifth Amendment right and declined to answer detective questions. Court records show he has a prior felony conviction.

He is charged with third-degree domestic violence assault, carrying or using a dangerous weapon during a violent crime, aggravated assault and battery, and disturbance of the peace. Under Virgin Islands domestic violence law, bail was not granted before his hearing. Louis appeared before Magistrate Judge Julie Smith Todman in Superior Court on St. Thomas on Monday morning for an advice-of-rights hearing. Court records indicate a French and Haitian Creole interpreter was requested for the proceedings.