Mughshot of Rakhim Rabsatt, along with the firearms and ammuntion recovered from his vehicle. Also pictured is the location in Rapune Hill, St. Thomas where the arrest was executed on Thurs. Feb.3, 2022. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A Bovoni resident has been charged with several offenses after police recovered multiple firearms during a traffic stop.
Rakhim Rabsatt age 34 was charged with 3 counts of possession of an unlicensed firearm. Each count carries a possible 10-year mandatory minimum. He is also charged with unauthorized possession of ammunition, possession with intent to distribute, driving under the influence and having an illegal blood alcohol content. The final charge which carries the heftiest punishment is possession of an unlicensed firearm within 1000 feet of a school, which is punishable by up to 30 years.
Rabsatt was arrested during a traffic stop on Rapune Hill road Thursday night. According to the probable cause fact sheet, officers approached him after observing that one of his vehicle’s headlights was out. However, while speaking to him they detected a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and that his eyes were bloodshot. Officers also noted the smell of marijuana. When asked if he had consumed alcohol, Rabsatt reportedly stated that he was going home after a couple of drinks. Officers also asked whether there was anything in the vehicle of concern, to which he reportedly responded that he had a license for a firearm in the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle revealed a .40 caliber magazine with 9 rounds as well as a .223 automatic rifle magazine with 13 rounds. Further investigations produced a black Glock 27 and an AWS scale along with a pill container containing a substance that later proved to be marijuana. A backpack was also found in the passenger seat which contained two mason jars and a small plastic bag with marijuana. According to the fact sheet, the substances totaled approximately 1.58 oz.
The probable cause fact sheet also states that officers found a KGS K15 automatic rifle, a Glock 30 with a ten capacity round magazine and a Glock 22 with a 15 round capacity in a shopping bag behind the driver's seat. Also discovered were two .45 ten round magazines, one .40 caliber 13-round magazine and one .40 caliber 28-round magazine.
During the search, Rabsatt reportedly indicated that he wanted to sit and an officer assisted him to the floor as he appeared to have fainted. The officer kept him upright while a pink foamy substance came through his nose and mouth. According to the fact sheet, although emergency services were called, Rabsatt refused medical attention.
After being transported to the police station, Rabsatt failed multiple field sobriety tests and registered a blood alcohol content of .120. He was subsequently detained and bail was set at $50,000 by order of the court.
At his hearing on Friday it was noted that while one of the four weapons was licensed, the other three were not. Assistant Attorney General Brenda Scales asked that bail remain at $50,000 and that the defendant be placed on a curfew. Scales noted that while he had no prior arrests, Rabsatt’s condition and the amount of fire power he had at the time of arrest represents a danger.
Attorney Clive Rivers argued that $50,000 was rather high, noting the defendant’s lack of a criminal record. The attorney recommended that bail be lowered to $10,000 and that Rabsatt be allowed to post 10 percent.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Paula Norkaitis set bail at $30,000 with allowance for the posting of 10 percent. While no curfew was imposed, the defendant is required to surrender his passport and driver’s license. His driving privileges have been suspended for 90 days.
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