Crime

Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Possess and Distribute More Than 5 Kilos of Cocaine. He Faces a Life Sentence in Federal Prison.

United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced Friday that Joan Morales Nolasco, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, on Friday pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Nolasco faces up to life in federal prison, and a sentencing date will be set by the court.  According to court documents, on September 25, 2019, a co-defendant drove Nolasco, another co-defendant and two other individuals to Haulover Bay in St. John to conduct an exchange of two duffel bags that contained a large amount of U.S. currency and rifle-type firearm for 100 kilograms of cocaine. The driver parked near a trail that leads to Haulover Bay. Nolasco and his co-defendant exited the Jeep, each of them carrying a firearm and they both walked to a trail that leads to Haulover Bay. While on the trail, Nolasco heard someone yelling at them in the English language...