The V.I. Police Department has not provided a mugshot of Braylon Brown. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM
ST. THOMAS — A man on vacation in St. Thomas has been charged after the Transportation Security Administration discovered ammunition in his checked luggage.
Twenty-six-year-old Braylon Brown was arrested at the Cyril E. King Airport on Thursday morning after police were called in in reference to live ammunition discovered inside a passenger’s checked luggage.
The TSA agent told the officer that he saw what appeared to be a firearm magazine on the X-Ray monitor and called in his supervisor to confirm. While conducting an inspection of the suitcase, the agent realized that the magazine appeared to be concealed underneath a flap towards the back of the suitcase.
Contact was then made with the passenger Braylon Brown who was asked if he possessed a firearm license. According to the probable cause fact sheet, Brown replied, “no I am a convicted felon." He reportedly claimed ownership of the bag in question.
Police were called in and Brown was subsequently escorted to the Virgin Islands Port Authority Police Precinct where he was read his rights and placed under arrest. He reportedly told police that he had no idea how the magazine got into his bag. Investigations revealed that he had a confirmed outbound flight to the mainland USA.
Brown was charged with unlawful possession of ammunition and importation of ammunition without a license. Unable to post bail set at $5,500, he was turned over to the Bureau of Corrections.
He appeared before a St. Thomas judge on Friday and his attorney explained that Brown was visiting the territory for a week with his girlfriend and children. She further stated that the defendant was on vacation and does not have ties to the community or anywhere he can stay. The defense attorney told the court that Brown was requesting permission to travel back to South Carolina where he could reside with a third-party custodian.
Bail was eventually set at $2,500 and the judge stated that the government will have to respond in writing to the request to allow Brown to fly back home. In the meantime, he will be required to sign a waiver of extradition. As part of his bail conditions, Brown is prohibited from leaving the jurisdiction unless he receives written permission from the court prior to his departure. He must also surrender his travel documents to the court and if he is allowed to travel, arrangements will be made for him to retrieve them.
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