Mugshot of Josiah K. Telesford. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — A routine traffic stop led to the arrest of a 27-year-old man in possession of a concealed firearm and marijuana on Friday, according to a report from the V.I. Police Department's Special Operations Bureau.
The suspect, identified as Josiah K. Telesford, was stopped by officers of the SOB and the K9 Corps at Northside Road, near the Salt River Entrance. The officers flagged down Telesford's White Nissan Sentra due to a missing front license plate.
Telesford complied with the officer's request to pull over and subsequently produced a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. However, while conversing with Telesford, the officers noticed evidence of marijuana use inside the vehicle, with burnt cannabis cigarettes in plain sight in the car's cup holder and a distinct smell of marijuana permeating the vehicle's interior.
When questioned about the presence of additional marijuana in the car, Telesford admitted to possessing more. Upon further inquiry about any other potentially illicit items in the vehicle, Telesford denied having anything else. Despite this, a subsequent search of the car led to the discovery of a loaded Glock 9mm handgun tucked away in the vehicle's middle console.
Telesford was arrested at the scene at 3:19 p.m. on charges of carrying a firearm, either openly or concealed, possession of ammunition, and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. A bail amount was set at $50,000 in line with local regulations.
Details of the suspect's scheduled court appearance have not yet been released.
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