April 4, 2003 – A prominent St. Croix attorney was arrested Friday and charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.
Lee J. Rohn of Cotton Valley was arrested at 12:45 p.m., the Police Department's public information officer, Sgt. Thomas Hannah, said. The charges stem from an incident last Sunday at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, he said, when Rohn attempted to board a commercial flight.
"She was approached by law-enforcement officers who searched her and allegedly found a quantity of marijuana," Hannah said.
An affidavit signed by Christopher Howell, a V.I. Police detective assigned to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force, put the amount at 13.3 grams, about a half ounce.
According to Hannah, it was enough to justify the two felony counts against her for possession and intent to distribute. .
A warrant for Rohn's arrest was issued by Territorial Court Judge Edgar Ross, and bail was set at $10,000, Hannah said. He said Ross released Rohn on her own recognizance.
Hannah said he did not know the destination of the flight Rohn was boarding and said the search was likely a standard security measure. He said the five-day delay in arresting Rohn was likely due to investigators "wanting to make sure they had credible evidence and everything they needed before the arrest."
The president of the V.I. Bar Association, Sam Grey, said on Friday that he was not aware of the arrest or any details surrounding it. But he said that conviction of such charges could be grounds for disbarment. "Generally a person being convicted of crimes of moral turpitude is grounds for disbarment," he said.
Rohn did not return telephone calls Friday.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
