Rolando Torres De La Cruz, 25, was arraigned Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller after being charged in an indictment with being an alien in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
De La Cruz was arrested Friday by special agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and officers with the Virgin Islands Police Department. Miller ordered the defendant placed on home detention. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
According to court records, on Feb. 11, 2015, De La Cruz, who is unlawfully present in the United States from the Dominican Republic, transferred a stolen .22 caliber Ruger Rifle to a second man who in turn sold the firearm.
This case was investigated by the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the VIPD. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Stringer.
