Crime

Police Arrest Three Men In Possession Of Handguns And AK-47

ST. THOMAS -- A V.I.P.D. operation conducted over the weekend led to the arrests of three young men on weapons charges, V.I.P.D. Media Specialist Sakeeda Freeman, and the V.I. Department of Justice announced in separate press release Tuesday. Akil Smith, 24, of Estate Tutu, Kisho Atiba Gumbs, 24, of Paul M. Pearson Garden housing community and Jaleem A. Charles, 28, of Estate Tutu appeared before V.I. Superior Court Magistrate Henry Carr III Tuesday morning following their arrests in the pre-dawn hours of Monday. Based on the probable cause fact sheet, Magistrate Carr determined that there was sufficient evidence to support the charges of constructive possession of a firearm for each of the men. Smith faces an additional charge of possession of ammunition. Attorney General Claude Earl Walker recommended a $200,000 bail for Smith, which the court granted. In her request for bail, Assistant Attorney General Natasha Baker described Smith as an “extreme danger to the community,” stating th...