Mugshot of Aaron Christopher. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — The male passenger of a Honda Acura RSX was arrested Friday during a traffic stop after police found an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in his possession, the V.I. Police Department has announced.
According to V.I.P.D. Director of Communications Glen Dratte, on Friday the department's “Operation Gridlock” Task Force, which consists of officers from the Special Operations Bureau, the Department of Licensing & Consumer Affairs, and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, were conducting traffic enforcement on Turpentine Run Road near the East End Asphalt Plant.
At 6:10p.m., a blue and orange Acura RSX traveling Northwest was observed with no license plate affixed to the front bumper of the vehicle and was asked to pull over.
The traffic officers detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, according to the V.I.P.D., and both the operator and the passenger of the vehicle were asked to exit the car.
Upon patting down Aaron Christopher, age 44 who was the passenger in the vehicle, a loaded black and silver firearm and several rounds of ammunition were discovered in Christopher’s possession. He then told police that he did not possess a license to carry a firearm in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Christopher was arrested and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of stolen property, possession of ammunition, and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.
Unable to make bail of $50,000, Christopher was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advisement hearing.
