Guilty Plea in STT/STX Pre-Fab Housing Fraud

St. Croix Times Staff

USVI - V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea announced that on July 21, 2025, the Honorable Judge Ernest J. Morris sentenced 49-year old Anson Gallaway of Estate Frydendal St. Thomas, to 5 years probation for Obtaining Money by False Pretense in V.I. Superior Court. Mr. Gallaway pleaded guilty on April 30, 2025, to taking money from multiple individuals in St. Thomas and St. Croix between February 2020 and December 2021 for the construction of prefabricated homes but failed to fulfill his contractual obligations.

Twelve individuals or families in the Virgin Islands paid Mr. Gallaway, who operated under GHL Home Innovations LLC, between just over $1,000 and more than $150,000, resulting in a total loss of $656,911.51. Prior to his guilty plea, Mr. Gallaway paid almost $100,000 in restitution, and an additional $120,000 was paid prior to his sentencing hearing, leaving Mr. Gallaway responsible for restitution in the amount of $439,911.51. Mr. Gallaway was placed on supervised probation with conditions, including making payments of at least $4,000 each month towards the restitution which will be distributed quarterly to the victims of these cases.   

“This defendant exploited the hopes of families seeking affordable housing,” Attorney General Rhea stated. “This judgement ensures accountability, begins the process of rebuilding for the victims of these deceptive and corrupt business practices, and sends a clear message that those who exploit our residents for personal gain will be held accountable.” 

AG Rhea expressed gratitude to everyone involved for their hard work, including the prosecutor, V.I. Department of Justice Acting Deputy Attorney General and Director of the White-Collar Crime Unit, Patricia Lynn Pryor Esq., and the entire Economic Crimes Unit of the Virgin Islands Police Department, including Detectives Melissa Rogers, Angela Herbert, Tiffany Tyson, and Ruchella Samuel.