Ivan Van Beverhoudt, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for smuggling cocaine into the United States. The conviction follows his arrest for importing and possessing over 15 kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute.
“Van Beverhoudt betrayed his badge by committing one of the very crimes he was entrusted to prevent—smuggling dangerous drugs into our country,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Our office and its agency partners will hold accountable any law enforcement officer who abuses his authority for criminal ends, and Van Beverhoudt’s twenty-year sentence demonstrates that such abuse will be met with severe consequences.”
Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama, commented on the case: “This case highlights the severe repercussions for law enforcement officers who abuse their positions of trust.” He added that Van Beverhoudt’s actions were a grave violation.
On January 10, 2020, Van Beverhoudt traveled from St. Thomas to Atlanta with 16 bricks of cocaine concealed in carry-on bags while avoiding TSA screening by traveling in an official capacity with a CBP-issued firearm. Upon arrival at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, a narcotics K-9 alerted authorities to his luggage leading to the discovery.
Following a five-day jury trial ending on February 24, 2025, Van Beverhoudt was convicted on multiple charges including conspiracy to import cocaine and possession with intent to distribute it.
Judge J.P. Boulee sentenced him on July 8, 2025, to two decades behind bars followed by five years of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorneys Bethany L. Rupert, Bret R. Hobson, and Laurel B. Milam prosecuted this case.
The public is encouraged by the U.S Attorney’s Office in Atlanta to learn about drug dangers through www.justthinktwice.gov.
For more information contact the Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185; further details are available at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
