Mugshot of Mizell A. Taylor. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — A routine traffic stop escalated into an arrest during the V.I. Police Department's Driving Under the Influence Initiative checkpoint on August 17. The arrest took place on East End Road near Green Cay around 11:17 p.m., capturing both firearms and drugs.
Officers pulled over a green Jeep Cherokee during the second day of the DUI checkpoint. Upon making contact with the driver, identified as 36-year-old Mizell A. Taylor, and his passenger, officers detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.
Taylor was asked to step out of the vehicle and was subsequently patted down for safety, leading to the discovery of a firearm on his person. When queried about his license to carry in the U.S Virgin Islands, Taylor admitted to not having one. A search of the vehicle unveiled a large sandwich bag filled with a green leafy substance, which later tested positive for marijuana, as well as $20 in cash.
Taylor was arrested on multiple charges, including carrying of a firearm open or concealed, possession or sale of ammunition, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and operating a vehicle without a valid license.
He was transported to the Ancilmo D. Marshall Command Police Station where he received his Miranda Warnings. His bail was set at $50,000, which he was unable to post. Subsequently, he was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command for booking and is currently being held at the John A. Bell Correctional Facility pending his Advised of Rights Hearing.
In light of numerous automobile collisions involving DUIs and traffic violations, the VIPD, in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety, initiated the D.U.I. Initiative to identify, detect, and arrest intoxicated drivers and cite traffic violators. The initiative also serves an educational purpose, informing motorists on how to prevent traffic offenses.
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