Mugshot of Eliyjah Henry. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Last updated at 7:15 a.m. on Sunday, March 27, 2022.
ST. JOHN — Police have charged two men with a slew of serious crimes, one of whom was on pretrial release for a pending criminal matter.
Ishmael Meyers, age 24 and Eliyjah Henry, age 30 were arrested on Thursday evening by members of the Special Operations Bureau. Both are charged with constructive possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of ammunition, constructive possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school. Eliyjah Henry was additionally charged for destruction of property after he reportedly damaged the cell door while in police custody.
According to police, the men were stopped after officers conducting traffic stops in Cruz Bay, St. John observed them in a vehicle with no seat belts. The probable cause fact sheet states that upon being stopped, the front passenger reportedly made a movement reaching towards his waist area. An officer then raised his firearm and positioned it at the ready while commanding the two men to keep their hands visible. Despite the instructions, the passenger reportedly made another movement, this time throwing a bag behind him into the back seat. He was ordered to keep his hands in the air while the driver was ordered to park the vehicle and turn it off. Both men were instructed to exit the vehicle and when police searched it they reportedly discovered a firearm in the bag which was thrown into the backseat. The firearm was loaded with ten rounds of 40mm caliber ammunition, one of which was in the chamber, based on police statements. According to the fact sheet, officers also discovered a white powdery substance in a clear plastic bag which later tested positive for cocaine.
The two appeared for a joint advisement hearing on Friday where bail for Myers was set at $30,000 with allowance for the posting of 20 percent. He is required to report to the probation office weekly. Henry on the other hand was granted bail in the amount of $76,000 with a 15 percent provision. If he is able to post bail, Henry will be released into the third-party custody of a relative and placed on electronic monitoring. The judge asserted that these conditions are based on the fact that the defendant already has a serious pending matter against him. Prior to the bail conclusion, Assistant V.I. Attorney General Brenda Scales told the court that Henry is accused of shooting a woman in the face and is on pretrial release in that matter.
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