PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten is mentioned multiple times in a sweeping release of documents made public by the United States Department of Justice in connection with the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 

The Department has published approximately three million pages of records through a dedicated online portal known as the “Epstein Library.” Officials have warned that parts of the archive contain graphic descriptions of sexual abuse. 

A review of publicly accessible documents shows that “St. Maarten,” “Saint Martin,” “Philipsburg,” and “Orient Bay” appear primarily in email exchanges about travel logistics. The correspondence involves Epstein, members of his inner circle, flight crew, yacht staff, and close associates. 

At the same time, former U.S. President Donald Trump is facing renewed scrutiny in the United States, as media analyses indicate that his name appears thousands of times across the released Epstein files, including in contact lists and correspondence. The inclusion of a name in the archive does not in itself establish wrongdoing, but the volume of references has intensified public and political attention. 

PJIA cited as transit hub 

The documents indicate that Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) served as a transit point for passengers traveling to Epstein’s private island, Little St. James, near St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Emails detail business-class travel from European cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Moscow, and Warsaw, as well as from the United States, with onward connections to St. Thomas. Some correspondence references helicopter transfers or small charter aircraft from St. Maarten. Other emails discuss ticket pricing, cancellations and potential overnight stays on the island. 

In the excerpts reviewed, references to St. Maarten relate strictly to transportation coordination. No published sections currently available describe alleged criminal acts occurring on St. Maarten itself. 

The files also suggest that St. Maarten functioned as a base for yacht movements to nearby islands, including Saint Barthelemy and Anguilla, with provisioning reportedly sourced from businesses in Simpson Bay and Marigot. 

Trump’s estate in Terres Basses 

Renewed international scrutiny surrounding Donald Trump — particularly due to the widespread references to his name in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein files — has also brought fresh local attention to his past ties to St. Martin. 

Specifically, it has refocused public interest on Trump’s former ownership of Le Château des Palmiers, a prominent luxury beachfront estate located in Terres Basses on the French side of the island.  

According to multiple property records and financial disclosures, Trump purchased the estate in 2013 through companies he controlled. The property became part of his international real estate portfolio and was primarily operated as a high-end luxury rental. 

In 2017, during his presidency, Trump — through his trust and associated entities — placed the estate on the market with an asking price of US $28 million. The listing drew international headlines at the time, as it was one of the few major Trump properties publicly marketed for sale while he was in office. 

Later that same year, the asking price was reportedly reduced by approximately US$11 million due to limited buyer interest, bringing it down to around US$16 million. 

More recent global real estate listings show the estate currently offered for approximately US $15.5 million, reflecting a continued downward adjustment from the original 2017 price. The property comprises a five-bedroom oceanfront villa and a four-bedroom garden villa, with amenities including a swimming pool, tennis court, fitness facilities, and direct beach access. 

There is no public evidence that ownership has changed hands since Trump first listed the property for sale. At the time it was placed on the market, it remained under his ownership via a trust or associated corporate entities. The continued presence of active listings at lower prices suggests the estate remains unsold rather than having been privately transferred.

Photo source: https://www.caribiquevillarentals.com/en/villa-details.html?object=/le-chateau-des-palmiers/st-martin/157

 NOTE: Published with permission from StMaartenNews.com

PHILIPSBURG:--- In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the Windward Islands, Sint Eustatius businessman S. T. finds himself at the center of a sprawling criminal investigation. The allegations against T paint a grim picture of greed, corruption, and a blatant disregard for the law, tarnishing the reputation of the small island community.

A Web of Crime: Car Theft and Fraud

T, the owner of ABM Car Rentals, is accused of orchestrating a sophisticated car theft ring operating out of St. Maarten. According to sources, T’s recruited a gang of criminals to steal vehicles on St. Maarten, which were then shipped to Sint Eustatius and rented out through his car rental company. This brazen operation not only undermines the trust of unsuspecting customers but also highlights the audacity of T’s alleged criminal enterprise.

The businessman was reportedly caught red-handed, driving a stolen vehicle on St. Maarten. Adding to the scandal, his passenger at the time of arrest was identified as S.B., a former girlfriend of T’s. While police remain tight-lipped about the ongoing investigation, the scale of the operation suggests a deeply entrenched criminal network.

A History of Deception

This is not T’s first brush with the law. He is also a key suspect in the Windward Island Bank fraud case, a scandal that has implicated several individuals, including an immigration officer. The case involves fraudulent activities that have shaken public confidence in the region’s financial institutions. T’s alleged involvement in both the car theft ring and the bank fraud case paints a damning portrait of a man who appears to have built his business empire on a foundation of deceit and criminality.

The Silence of Law Enforcement

While the police on St. Maarten have refused to comment on the case, citing the magnitude of the investigation, their silence speaks volumes. The lack of transparency raises questions about the extent of T’s influence and the potential involvement of other high-profile individuals. Is this a case of one man’s greed, or does it point to a larger, more insidious network of corruption?

A Betrayal of Trust

For the people of Sint Eustatius, the allegations against T are a betrayal of trust. As a businessman, he was expected to contribute to the community’s growth and prosperity. Instead, he stands accused of exploiting his position for personal gain, leaving a trail of victims in his wake. From unsuspecting car rental customers to the financial institutions defrauded in the bank scandal, T’s alleged actions have caused untold harm.

Demanding Accountability

The time has come for accountability. The authorities must ensure that justice is served, not only to restore public trust but also to send a clear message that no one is above the law. The people of Sint Eustatius and St. Maarten deserve better than to have their communities tarnished by the actions of a few unscrupulous individuals.

As the investigation unfolds, one can only hope that the full extent of T’s alleged crimes will be brought to light and that those responsible will face the consequences of their actions. For now, the shadow of corruption looms large over Sint Eustatius, a stark reminder of the damage greed and dishonesty have wrought.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is calling on residents, visitors, and the broader business community to cooperate fully with law enforcement as the island gears up for one of its most celebrated annual events — the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, set to take place during the first week of March 2026.
The Heineken Regatta is one of Sint Maarten's important events, drawing thousands of sailing enthusiasts and visitors from around the world each year. With that influx comes a significant increase in activity across the island, and KPSM wants to ensure the experience remains safe and enjoyable for everyone involved.
KPSM takes this opportunity to thank the public, event organizers, and the business community for their cooperation in previous years, which has been instrumental in maintaining public order, safety, and smooth traffic flow throughout the event. That same spirit of partnership will be crucial in 2026.
Motorists should be aware that traffic control measures will be in place, particularly in the Cole Bay and Simpson Bay areas, where the highest concentration of pedestrian and vehicular movement is expected. The most critical period will be the weekend of March 7 and 8, 2026, when temporary traffic adjustments will be implemented along Union Road. Drivers heading toward Port de Plaisance are urged to stay alert, follow all temporary signage and road directions, and comply with instructions from officers.
KPSM specifically asks all road users to follow traffic regulations without exception, allow extra travel time when passing through event zones, refrain from illegal parking or blocking roadways along Union Road, remain patient and respectful toward fellow road users, and report any suspicious activity to police immediately.
Officers will maintain a strong and visible presence throughout the Regatta period. KPSM is clear that visible policing is not simply a deterrent — it is a commitment to accountability and community protection.
The Regatta season will be followed by the Sint Maarten Carnival in April and May 2026, for which similar public cooperation will be expected. Together, these events represent the best of Sint Maarten, and KPSM is determined to keep them that way.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is sending a clear message: enforcement is active, visible, and ongoing. Over the past week, the Action Team conducted a series of targeted operations across multiple districts, combining traffic controls, preventative searches, and rapid response to an armed threat — reinforcing KPSM's commitment to keeping Sint Maarten's roads and communities safe.
On Wednesday, officers deployed to the Maho area with a focus on traffic compliance and order. In a welcome sign of progress, no vehicles were found parked in the designated "No Parking Zone" — a direct result of sustained enforcement efforts and a testament to the impact of consistent policing.
Despite this positive outcome, serious concerns remain about the conduct of certain double-decker bus drivers. Several drivers demonstrated an unwillingness to comply with traffic regulations, particularly when police were not immediately visible. KPSM will not tolerate selective compliance. Going forward, offending bus drivers will face fines and on-the-spot inspections under the Road Traffic Ordinance.

The Action Team also responded to a serious incident in which a man allegedly assaulted another individual and threatened a woman with a firearm before fleeing the scene on foot. Acting on dispatch intelligence, the Action Team coordinated immediately with the responding patrol unit and developed a tactical approach to safely apprehend the armed and potentially dangerous suspect. Upon arrival, the suspect had already left the area and could not be located despite a thorough search of the surroundings. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
During this period, KPSM recorded the following enforcement actions:
75 vehicles checked under the Road Traffic Ordinance, 20 vehicles subjected to preventative search, 32 individuals subjected to preventative frisking, and 6 scooters checked.