A federal jury on St. Croix on Monday convicted Daniel Carino, 34, of attempted murder, third-degree assault and possession of a firearm during a violent crime, U.S. Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
Evidence presented at the five-day trial established that on Dec. 19, Carino encountered the victim at the Concordia garbage bin site in Frederiksted. An argument ensued, during which Carino drew a firearm and shot the victim in the chest. Though shot, the victim wrestled the firearm away from Carino, who then ran to his vehicle and drove away. Later that evening, the victim selected Carino from a photo array while at the emergency room.
Police apprehended Carino at a festival event that night.
A sentencing date has been set for March 16. Carino faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years on the firearm possession charge and a maximum of life imprisonment, plus a maximum fine of $250,000. He also faces maximum sentences of 25 years and five years on the attempted murder and assault conviction, along with a fine of $500 to $3,000 on the assault conviction.
Carino remains detained pending sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews Jr.
