The V.I.P.D. has not provided a mugshot of the suspect.
ST. THOMAS — A man has been arrested and charged after police reportedly discovered ammunition and marijuana in a vehicle he was driving.
Ja’Moi Bell was detained on Monday afternoon after an officer on patrol was dispatched to a report of shots being fired in the Oswald Harris Court Community Projects. According to the probable cause fact sheet, the officer approached the location from the Rumer Road intersection and observed a car with no visible front license plate driving towards the exit of the community. The driver was on a cellphone as he drove.
The officer turned on the lights on his police vehicle and stopped. The driver later identified as Ja’Moi Bell was then asked to produce his documentation and while standing near the front passenger side of the vehicle, the officer observed the smell of marijuana. The fact sheet states that the officer also noticed small clear ziplock bags on the front and back seats of the vehicle. When asked about the smell, Bell replied, “yes, I have some for my personal use.” He then took two mason jars from the floor of the passenger side and placed them on the seat. According to the fact sheet the jars were filled with a green leafy substance which later tested positive for marijuana.
Bell was asked to exit the vehicle and the officer conducted a search which revealed a backpack with a live 9mm round. Also discovered were two .223 high-power rifle rounds, a black scale, a black gun light, and several packs of clear ziplock bags, according to the fact sheet. Bell was advised of his rights and placed under arrest, charged with possession of illegal ammunition and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
He was also cited for talking on the phone while driving and failing to display a front license plate. After failing to post bail which was set at $10,000, Bell was turned over to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections. He appeared for an advisement hearing on Wednesday where the judge ruled that he would be allowed to post 10 percent of the bail amount.
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