Officers from the Special Operations Bureau Tactical Team recovered unlicensed firearms, ammunition, drugs and cash during routine traffic stops on St. Croix and St. Thomas, the V.I. Police Department announced.
St. Croix
On Sunday, officers from the Special Operations Bureau (SOB) Tactical Team conducted a routine traffic stop on a 2010 Honda Civic in Christiansted Town. Upon stopping the vehicle, officers detected the scent of marijuana emanating from inside, according to the police report.
Officers ordered the driver and passengers to exit the vehicle, leading to a search of the car. The search resulted in the discovery of two unlicensed firearms, identified as an American Tactical Titan .45 caliber handgun — loaded with a chambered round and accompanied by an extended loaded magazine and a “Ghost Gun” 9mm — also loaded with a chambered round, the police report stated.
The vehicle’s occupants, identified as Thymothy Rodriquez and Mark E. Prince, both 20 years old, along with 19-year-old Jacob A. Turnbull, were placed under arrest. They were charged with carrying of a firearm openly or concealed and possession or sale of ammunition. Bail was set at $50,000 for each individual, the report stated.
St. Thomas
On Friday, Nov. 8, at approximately 8:43 p.m., SOB officers observed Jason Lettsome operating a white Acura RDX on Veterans Drive without a front license plate. Officers initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle. As they approached, officers detected a strong odor of marijuana and observed a marijuana cigarette and residue in the vehicle’s ashtray, the report stated.
Following protocol, all passengers were instructed to exit the vehicle. During a pat-down for safety reasons, Lettsome was found in possession of a Smith & Wesson .380 firearm for which he did not have a license. As a result, he was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of illegal ammunition. Bail was set at $25,000 and Lettsome was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections after failing to post bond, it said.
Also, on Friday, Nov. 8, while conducting an inspection on Turpentine Road near Brookman Market, SOB officers recovered over a pound and a half of marijuana packaged for distribution and $286 in cash. The marijuana was labeled for destruction, and the cash was secured for safekeeping by the VIPD Property, it said.
