Crime

Man Found in Possession of Firearm Within 1,000 Feet of a School Sentenced to 48 Months in Federal Prison

ST. CROIX — U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced Tuesday that Deshawn Gonsalves, age 27 of St. Croix was sentenced to 48 months in prison by District Court Judge Wilma A. Lewis on one count of felon in possession of a firearm. The 4-year prison sentence will be followed by 3 years of supervised release, a fine of $1,000, and a $100 special assessment. According to court documents, on October 31, 2018, officers with the Virgin Islands Police Department responded to an apparent domestic dispute and 911 call at the Lorraine Village Apartments outside of Frederiksted. Upon their interaction with Gonsalves, he admitted that he possessed a firearm and ammunition in his vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded Glock .45 caliber handgun, 2 additional magazines, 77 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, a ballistic vest, and approximately 98 grams of marijuana packaged in plastic baggies and vials. Additionally, the defendant possessed the firearm and marijuana within 1,000 fe...