Sen. Donastorg Arrested for Domestic Violence, Weapons Charges

Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg was arrested Thursday "after assaulting his girlfriend and using a weapon (firearm) to threaten and intimidate her," according to a release from the V.I. Police Department. The arrest was made at 2 p.m. in the VIPD complex at Mars Hill in Frederiksted.
The charges stem from an alleged Jan. 28 assault by the 48-year-old married senator from St. Thomas on a 19-year-old female described in the arrest report as a "girlfriend." The alleged incident, which wasn't reported until the following day, occurred at Estate Santa Maria on St. Thomas. The name of the alleged victim has not been released by authorities.
Donastorg is charged with one count of assault in the third degree, under the V.I. domestic violence statute; one count of aggravated assault and battery; one count of brandishing a deadly weapon (firearm); and one count of using a dangerous weapon (firearm) in the commission of a crime of violence.
Donastorg was released from police custody on his own recognizance Thursday afternoon after voluntarily turning himself in to police at the request of police investigators, according to a statement from the V.I. Department of Justice.
Television and print media waited outside the Mars Hill offices Thursday after reports Donastorg had arranged to turn himself into police between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. There was no entry in the V.I. Police Department arrest log at that station prior to that time and no sign of Donastorg during that period.
However, when media examined the arrest log again at 3:30 p.m., Donastorg's arrest was logged, indicating he was taken into custody through some back entrance or processed and released without entering the building.
When asked about the monthlong delay between the incident and Thursday's arrest, Justice Department spokesperson Sara Lezama said authorities had to investigate in order to determine if there was probable cause for arrest.
Magistrate Alan Smith is expected to advise Donastorg of his rights Friday in the Magistrate Division of the V.I. Superior Court located in Barbel Plaza, St. Thomas.