Federal Agents Seize Phone and Subpoena OMB Director Jenifer O'Neal in Ongoing FBI Investigation

Jenifer O'Neal, director of the V.I. Office of Management and Budget, was served a search warrant and subpoena by federal agents earlier this week while in Florida, in a matter that is tied to the FBI's criminal investigation of V.I. Police Commissioner Ray Martinez, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Ms. O'Neal was subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury in the U.S. Virgin Islands to give testimony later this month, or provide documents in lieu of testimony, in the matter involving Mr. Martinez, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The federal agents also seized her cellphone. Investigators typically need a search warrant to seize a phone, which requires showing probable cause that the phone contains evidence of a crime. The warrant must be approved by a judge.

The matter involving Mr. Martinez is related to a St. Thomas-based firm that was contracted by the V.I. Police Department. After receiving the contract from the VIPD, signed by the police commissioner, the firm provided Mr. Martinez with funds to complete work on a restaurant project he has been working on for quite some time, according to people with intimate knowledge of the matter.