St. Thomas Men Caught With Combat-Grade Guns

Two young men, ages 20 an 22, were arrested on gun charges after a traffic violation prompted police to take action, the V.I.P.D. has made known. 

Jibri Roberts, 22 of Bonne Esperance and 20-year-old Desi Henry, Jr. of Annas Retreat, were driving west on Norre Gade when police realized the men did not have their seat belts on. Police then moved to stop the vehicle and was talking to the driver when the passenger decided to make away on foot. Immediately, officers in the area pursued the passenger, who tried discarding a firearm on his person while attempting to escape. Police caught up with the young man and apprehended him in the area of Curacao Gade.

20-year-old Desi Henry, Jr.

Meanwhile, two other firearms were discovered in the vehicle — bringing the total number to three: a Glock 10 mm handgun, an FN 5.7×28 pistol, and a Kel Tech 223 caliber rifle. The rifle had an obliterated serial number.

Both men were arrested and charged with three counts of possession of an unlicensed firearm, and were remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending their Advice of Rights Hearing at the Superior Court.

Bail was set for $75,00 for both men.

After hearing of the incident, Police Commissioner Rodney F. Querrard, Sr. lauded the officers involved in the successful arrests and confiscation of the illegal firearms.

“These are serious firearms, the kinds that should be on the battle field, not in our community and in the hands of our young men,” Querrard said. “I can assure you that the firearms seized are three less we as a community have to face, and three less we have to hear being discharged in our neighborhoods, which eventually causes another family to grieve the loss of a loved one.”

He asked the community to call police with any information they may have about family and friends with illegal weapons.

22-year-old Jibri Roberts of Bonne Esperance

“I am asking for anyone with information relative to individuals with unlicensed firearms to pass on that information to a law enforcement officer, 911 or Crime Stoppers USVI,” Querrard said. “Let us as a community do what we can to assist law enforcement in removing these illegal firearms from our streets. I thank you in advance for your continued assistance.”

Contact Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).