Mugshot of Elvin Chinnery. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS — Elvin Chinnery appeared in court after allegedly disobeying police orders in his attempt to film an active crime scene.
On February 7, police units conducting traffic enforcement nearby were called to the intersection of old Hospital Road and Hospital Ground Road to assist with an active crime scene. Upon arrival, the officers began establishing a perimeter to secure the area, when they encountered Chinnery walking towards them.
One of the officers advised him that he could go no further, but Chinnery, age 33, reportedly remarked that he had a right to record and that further, the police worked for him. The officer acknowledged his right to record, but directed Chinery to stay behind the parked police unit for his safety.
The court heard that Chinery ignored those instructions and walked past the police unit, responding to a second warning to stay out of an active crime scene by repeating that the police worked for him. As he held up his phone, Chinnery reportedly told the officer he was going to “put him on Facebook.”
Once Chinnery had breached the perimeter securing the active crime scene, he was arrested and charged with delaying and obstructing an officer from discharging his duties. When he realized he was being arrested, Chinnery reportedly apologized to the officer, saying that he had to take his children to school in the morning.
In court on Wednesday, a judge ruled that Chinnery be allowed to post $50 in cash and sign an unsecured bond to fulfill the remainder of his $500 bail requirement. He is barred from leaving the St. Thomas- St. John District without the court’s written permission, and must report to the Office of Probation once a week. Chinnery is to have no contact with the officer. He is prohibited from using alcohol or any controlled substance as well as possessing a firearm, ammunition or dangerous weapon.
