ST. CROIX — Ambrose Daniel, a 44-year-old resident of St. Croix, was indicted Thursday on serious firearm charges, including illegal possession of a machine gun, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
United States Attorney Delia L. Smith reported that Daniel was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson III following the return of an indictment by a federal grand jury. The charges against Daniel include felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and unlawful possession of a machine gun.
The indictment stems from a search executed at Daniel's home in the All for the Better area of St. Croix on May 10, 2019. During the search, federal agents seized a Glock Model 21, .45 caliber pistol, 48 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, and a device that could convert the pistol into a fully automatic firearm.
This is not Daniel's first brush with the law; he was previously convicted of assault in the third degree in 1997 in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. His prior felony conviction prohibits him from legally possessing any firearm.
If convicted on the current charges, Daniel faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into consideration the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel H. Huston is prosecuting the case.
This indictment is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, a nationwide effort that unites law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit the Department of Justice website.
