Mugshot of Deslee Marius. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS — V.I. Police Department officers on Tuesday resorted to using a taser gun on a male suspect after he assaulted several officers during a traffic stop on Hospital Line Road, the V.I.P.D. has announced.
According to the department, on Tuesday at approximately 8:51 p.m., members of the V.I.P.D.'s Operation Clean Sweep Taskforce were conducting traffic enforcement on Hospital Line Road in the area of the Department of Human Services in Hospital Ground, when they encountered 33-year-old Deslee Marius at the checkpoint.
The V.I.P.D. said officers detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from a vehicle driven by Marius, who was then ordered to step out of his vehicle. According to police, Marius rejected the command and instead attempted to drive the vehicle through the check point.
Officers were able to stop the vehicle and remove the suspect. However, upon exiting the vehicle, rage overtook Marius and he struck several officers before he was subdued with a taser gun.
Marius was found in possession of crack/cocaine, marijuana, and an unlicensed firearm.
He was arrested and charged with possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm within a 1000 feet of a church/school, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, delaying and obstructing, and aggravated assault and battery of a police officer.
Unable to make bail of $150,000, Marius was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending advisement hearing.
