A $6,024 check that prosecutors say was used to obtain concrete on St. Croix became the subject of a criminal prosecution after investigators accused the customer of obtaining the construction material without providing valid payment.
Calford Charleswell, 60, is accused of using a worthless check to obtain concrete from Master’s Concrete in August 2024. Prosecutors have now identified the transaction in a three-count criminal Information that names the supplier and the check used in the alleged offense.
The Virgin Islands Police Department’s Economic Crimes Unit opened an investigation in November 2024. Charleswell surrendered to detectives on Oct. 4, 2026, at the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Operations Building, where he was arrested without incident.
Charleswell pleaded not guilty during his Oct. 5 appearance in Superior Court. Court records show he was granted release on bail, and his case has been assigned to Judge Ernest E. Morris Jr., with a discovery conference scheduled for Dec. 2.
What Check No. 888 Was Supposed to Pay For
According to the Virgin Islands Police Department, Charleswell obtained pumped concrete through false representations and provided a check that resulted in a financial loss to the supplier.
The prosecution’s written Information provides a more specific account of the transaction. It alleges that Charleswell used check No. 888 to obtain 24 yards of concrete from Master’s Concrete. The document places the alleged conduct in or around August 2024.
The quantity differs from the police announcement, which described 24 loads of pumped concrete. The court filing instead says 24 yards of concrete, and the two records do not explain the discrepancy.
Detectives began investigating on Nov. 18, 2024. The case ultimately resulted in an arrest warrant that was served when Charleswell surrendered nearly two years later.
Prosecutors Filed Three Counts Over the Concrete Transaction
In the two-page charging Information, prosecutors accuse Charleswell of participating in frauds on creditors under 14 V.I.C. §833(1), obtaining money by false pretense under §834(2), and drawing and delivering worthless checks under §835(a)(1).
The first count alleges that Charleswell participated in a fraudulent conveyance of property by using the check to obtain the concrete. The second alleges that he used false representations to obtain property from Master’s Concrete.
The third count concerns the check itself. Prosecutors allege that Charleswell drew and delivered it while knowing there were insufficient funds in his account to cover its full value when presented for payment.
Under the territory’s false-pretenses statute, obtaining property worth at least $100 through qualifying fraudulent representations carries a potential prison term of up to 10 years. The separate worthless-check provision carries a maximum five-year prison term and a possible fine for a check involving at least $100.
Charleswell Pleaded Not Guilty and Was Granted Release on Bail
Charleswell appeared before Superior Court Magistrate Judge Yolan C. Brow Ross on Oct. 5. According to the initial-hearing record, the court found probable cause concerning the three accusations, and the defense raised no challenge to the probable-cause fact sheet at that hearing.
Charleswell was advised of his rights, pleaded not guilty and requested a speedy jury trial. The court set bail at $5,000, allowing 10% to be posted in cash while the remainder was secured through an unsecured bond.
The judge also signed an order directing Charleswell’s release after bail was provided. His release conditions included residing at the address supplied to the court and reporting to the Office of Probation.
Attorney Kira Riggins appeared as defense counsel during Charleswell’s Oct. 5 hearing.
The Court Scheduled a December 2 Discovery Conference
Under the scheduling order, the case was assigned to Judge Ernest E. Morris Jr. A discovery conference is scheduled for Dec. 2, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 211 at the R.H. Amphlett Leader Justice Center on St. Croix.
The order requires prosecutors to provide initial discovery within 15 days of arraignment and sets deadlines for pretrial motions. The conference is intended to address discovery issues, pending motions and the next steps in the prosecution.
Charleswell Previously Pleaded Guilty in a Separate Property-Auction Scheme
Charleswell also has a previous conspiracy conviction arising from an unrelated government property-auction fraud case. He formerly served as a chief enforcement officer involved in property-tax auctions conducted through the Virgin Islands lieutenant governor’s office.
In 2017, Charleswell pleaded guilty to conspiracy in connection with manipulation of the bidding process at a government property auction. The Virgin Islands Consortium reported that he received a three-year prison sentence with all but one year suspended.
The earlier case concerned a government real estate auction, not the concrete purchase at issue in the current prosecution.
The charges in the current case remain allegations. Charleswell is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.