Samuel Melendez, a 43-year-old Crucian, was sentenced Wednesday, Nov. 21, after being convicted of possession of firearm in a school zone, U.S. Attorney Gretchen Shappert announced.
District Court Chief Judge Wilma Lewis sentenced Melendez to five years of federal probation and a $1,000 fine. She also ordered Melendez to pay a special assessment fee of $100.
According to court documents, on or about Oct. 8, 2018, Melendez possessed a Jimenez Arms .380 semi-automatic pistol at the Frederiksted vegetable market, which is within 1,000 feet of St. Patrick’s Elementary School. The firearm was tested and found to be operable. The defendant did not have a valid license to possess a firearm, and the firearm had moved in and affected interstate commerce
The case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Ortiz.
