Ray Harris Jr., 23, of St. Croix pleaded guilty Friday in District Court to conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
Harris’s sentencing is scheduled for June 21.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, Harris, who was employed by Worldwide Flight Services at the Rohlsen Airport, entered the Transportation Security Administration screening area May 4 before his scheduled shift. As Harris attempted to pass through the screening area, the metal detector was triggered.
A search of Harris revealed a brick-like package wrapped with gray duct tape and strapped to one of his legs. The package field-tested positive for cocaine.
Harris admitted he knew the package contained cocaine and was planning to put the package in a checked bag headed to Puerto Rico. Laboratory tests confirmed the substance was cocaine. The net weight of the cocaine that Harris possessed was 473.4 grams.
Harris faces a maximum prison term of 20 years, a $1 million fine, a term of supervised release of not more than three years and a $100 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry.
