US Virgin Islands police have arrested a 43-year-old man accused of assaulting his wife while the couple was celebrating their anniversary at a resort villa in St Thomas.

Authorities said the female victim was transported by ambulance to Schneider Regional Medical Center on February 20 after she was allegedly assaulted with a hot iron at the Sapphire Beach Resort.

According to police, the victim told officers that her husband, Eliseo Huerta, pressed a hot iron firmly against her buttocks when she turned away during an argument, causing second-degree burns. 

She also reported that Huerta struck her multiple times before leaving the villa.

Huerta was detained at Cyril E King Airport on February 23 at about 4 pm and informed of the allegations. 

Police said he was advised of his constitutional rights and given an opportunity to provide a statement, which he refused. 

He was then arrested, booked, and processed before being turned over to the Bureau of Corrections pending his Advice of Rights hearing.

He has been charged with third-degree assault, simple assault, and disturbance of the peace (domestic violence).

The Domestic Violence and Special Victims Unit continues to investigate the incident.