From left to right, mugshots of Craig King and Latoya Daniel. By. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A traffic stop conducted in St. Thomas on Tuesday has led to the arrest of two individuals, among them a male suspect who was wearing an ankle monitor bracelet.
According to a probable cause fact sheet, on Tuesday afternoon police were conducting a traffic operation on Weymouth Rhymer Highway when they observed a vehicle without a front license plate. An officer stopped the vehicle and asked the driver for his documents. The fact sheet states that the officer observed a strong smell of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and instructed the driver and front passenger to exit. The driver was later identified as Craig King and the passenger was identified as Latoya Daniel.
A full search of the vehicle was conducted and officers reportedly discovered a large clear bag containing several small bags with a green leafy substance which later tested positive for marijuana. According to the fact sheet, the officers also discovered a firearm which appeared to have an obliterated serial number as well as a magazine with three rounds. When asked if they had permits to carry firearms, both King and Daniel stated no.
Police also asked if the weapon and marijuana in the vehicle belonged to them and both individuals said no.
The fact sheet states that while on scene another officer arrived and indicated that King was on house arrest and then removed an ankle monitor from King’s person. King and Daniel were both read their rights and were transported to the Alexander Farrelly Justice Complex.
Both individuals were charged with constructive possession of an unlicensed firearm, constructive possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and constructive possession with intent to distribute. Bail was set at $75,000 each and they were turned over to the Bureau of Corrections until their advisement hearings on Wednesday.
According to police, while King was being transported to the Bureau of Corrections, he stated “next time you gonna have to catch me because I ain’t stopping.”
During Wednesday's hearing, public defender Mary Ann Matney told the court that King was returning from a meeting with his attorney when he was stopped. She suggested that the data from his ankle monitor would support this. However, the judge pointed out that the fact remains that King was found in possession of a firearm while he has other criminal matters pending. King’s bail remained set at $75,000 but the judge concluded that he would be released upon the posting of 20 percent. If he is able to make bail, King will once again be placed on house arrest with the use of electronic monitoring.
Meanwhile, Assistant Attorney General Brenda Scales noted that Daniel was with King when he was arrested earlier this year under similar circumstances. She suggested that the pair were “in this together.” According to Scales, Daniel has also previously been arrested on misdemeanour charges and was convicted for interfering with an officer discharging his duties. The judge concluded that Daniel would be released upon the signing of an unsecured bond valued at $100,000.
While this matter remains pending she is to have absolutely no contact with King under any circumstances. The judge stressed that this includes contact via social media as well as through third parties. Daniel has also been ordered to surrender her passport and has been placed on a curfew which allows her one hour to travel to and from work for her various shifts.
