Karim Woodley, 39, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon after being charged in a three-count information, U.S. Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
The charges against Woodley are possession of a firearm by felon, possession of a firearm near a school and unauthorized firearm possession.
Cannon ordered the defendant on release pending trial.
If convicted, Woodley faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the felon in possession and possession near school counts. He also faces a 10-year sentence on the unauthorized possession charge and a $15,000 fine.
According to court records, the charges stem from a gang initiative conducted by the V.I. Police Department and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Department of Homeland Security last December. Agents searched Woodley and discovered an unlicensed firearm on his person.
The case was investigated by the VIPD and HSI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
