Mugshot of Kimo King Jr. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS – A St. Thomas man must now face firearm charges after a loaded pistol was reportedly found in his possession during a traffic stop.
According to court documents, officers on patrol on the night of January 31 spotted a white Hyundai SUV traveling eastbound near Roosevelt Park. Police initiated a traffic stop because the vehicle did not have a license plate at the front.
When they approached the vehicle to ask the driver for the usual documentation, police say they found him lying completely across the passenger seat, “seemingly attempting to conceal a backpack on the floor while anxiously searching through the glove compartment,” according to documents submitted to the court.
The unusual posture prompted officers to ask the driver – Kimo King Jr. – to exit the vehicle while they conducted a search. Officers spotted a firearm magazine inside the glove compartment, as well as the buttstock of a rifle protruding from the backpack. King reportedly admitted to not having a firearm license, and was promptly arrested. In addition to the rifle and the 9mm magazine, forensic technicians also found two loaded 5.56 magazines and a black handguard in the Hyundai.
Before being handed over to the Bureau of Corrections, King reportedly told officers that the rifle was something he found when he stopped to investigate a bag a driver ahead of him had thrown onto the road. Nevertheless, he was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition, and operating a vehicle without a license plate at the front. King was then remanded into custody to await his advice of rights hearing.
In court on Monday, Magistrate Simon VanHolten-Turnbull adjusted King's $50,000 bail requirement to allow him to post 5% in cash, with the remainder set as an unsecured bond. Upon release, the usual travel restrictions will apply, and Mr. King will be required to report to the probation office twice a week in person.
His next court appearance is scheduled for February 21.
