Mugshot of Leshorn Lewis Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A woman may face a lengthy prison sentence after allegedly pointing a gun at another woman during an argument at a club.
Leshorn Lewis appeared for a virtual hearing on Friday where she was advised of the charges against her, including using a dangerous weapon which carries a maximum imprisonment of 15 years and a fine of $10,000. This is in addition to a charge of third-degree assault using a deadly weapon which carries a penalty of no more than 5 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $3000, or both. The third and final offense Lewis is charged with is disturbance of the peace, which could subject her to 90 days in prison, a maximum fine of $100, or both.
It is alleged that just before midnight on Wednesday, October 6, Lewis began to argue with a woman and her male companion outside the restroom of a club in Norre Gade. The complainant said that during the dispute, Lewis reached into her backpack and drew a small handgun which she pointed at her. The complainant said she was subsequently pulled into the men’s restroom by her friend who closed the door, while Lewis was pulled away in the opposite direction by another male individual. The victim said that while she was in the men’s restroom trying to calm down, she heard Lewis on the other side of the door saying that she was going to wait for the victim and her friend to come out. The victim then called 911 and requested police assistance.
Lewis was subsequently detained on the scene by police officers who retrieved a backpack containing a handgun from her person. She was arrested, charged and remanded to the Bureau of Corrections.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, detectives later identified the weapon as a black glock 27mm handgun. One magazine with seven cartridges and one ejected cartridge were also collected from Lewis as evidence.
At Friday’s advisement hearing, Brenda Scales, appearing for the people, requested that bail remain as set at $25,000. However, Public Defender Mary Ann Matney asked that Lewis’s bail be reduced and that she be allowed release on the posting of an unsecured bond of $1000. Matney stressed that Lewis was unable to post bail and that it was the defendant's first contact with the criminal justice system.
Judge Carolynn Hermon-Percell noted that while it was Lewis’s first contact, she was concerned about the nature of that contact. The Judge stated that based on the allegations laid out in the fact sheet, Lewis appears to be a danger not only to the complainant, but to the individual who was in the woman’s company at the time. Consequently, as part of her bail conditions, Lewis is prohibited from having any contact with both individuals and is required to maintain a distance of 25 feet at all times. She is also prohibited from entering the establishment where the incident took place and has been subjected to an 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. daily curfew. While the defendant’s bail remains set at $25,000 she will be granted release on the posting of $5000.
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