Mugshot of John C. Ventura. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — Police have arrested a man on firearm charges after they discovered two guns in the vehicle in which he and an infant were traveling.
John Ventura was arrested on Thursday night after police officers traffic-stopped him. According to police, he was reportedly driving at a high rate of speed near Hospital Street. The probable cause fact sheet states that while police were speaking to the driver they noticed a toddler in the front passenger seat and reportedly took the smell of marijuana emanating from inside the vehicle. When police finished checking Ventura’s documents, they asked if he had any marijuana in the vehicle and he replied, “I only have this here,” referring to a sandwich bag with a green leafy substance.
Police then explained to Ventura that they would be conducting a search of the vehicle and he exited. He was subsequently patted down by police and was then allowed to remove his daughter from the passenger seat. According to the probable cause fact sheet, during the search of the vehicle, police discovered a black handgun in the glove compartment. When asked if he had a license for the firearm, Ventura reportedly replied no. A further search of the vehicle revealed a second handgun inside a black backpack on the backseat of the vehicle. Police also discovered a magazine with twelve rounds of ammunition and one live round in the chamber. Ventura was immediately arrested and the minor was picked up by her mother.
He was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and unauthorized possession of ammunition. Bail was initially set at $50,000. At an advisement hearing on Friday, a judge ruled that Ventura would be allowed to post $1000 in cash and sign an unsecured bond for the remainder of the bail amount. The defendant will also be placed on a 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew while the matter remains pending.
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