Mugshot of Jeavon Francis. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — Police have charged yet another individual following the discovery of an unlicensed firearm during a traffic stop.
Jeavon Francis was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of illegal ammunition after he was stopped by officers conducting traffic enforcement on Maude Proudfoot Drive on Wednesday evening.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, police stopped Francis after they observed that the vehicle he was driving had no front license plate. He reportedly failed to produce his license and registration documents upon request by the officer.
According to the fact sheet, during the stop, Francis told police, “I don’t have anything. I just had a little weed I smoke when I get off work.” The officer observed several small zipper bags with a small residue which later tested positive for marijuana. He then instructed Francis to exit the vehicle and advised him that a search would be conducted to determine whether the vehicle held any other contrabands. After he exited the vehicle, Francis was patted down by the officer who discovered a black handgun on his person, according to the fact sheet.
When asked whether he had a permit to carry a firearm, Francis replied no. He was subsequently transported to the Alexander Farrelly Justice Complex where he was booked and processed. Bail was set at $50,000 until his advisement hearing on Friday.
At that hearing, bail was lowered to $30,000 and the judge agreed that the defendant will be released to a third-party custodian upon the posting of 10 percent of the amount.
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