Mugshot of Lewis Lebron. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A man who police say was selling marijuana right across the street from a school is now facing charges before the courts.
According to court documents, VIPD officers received word from their Intel Unit on Tuesday afternoon that there were potential drug sales occurring in front of the Calvary Christian Academy School. A man, officers were told, was sitting under a large beige umbrella, with a burgundy Dodge Ram parked directly in front of him. Members of the Intel Unit said they saw the man — identified as Lewis Lebron — make at least 3 transactions with different individuals.
The interactions reportedly took place in two parts: after a first hand-to-hand transaction, Lebron would walk to the truck, go in through the rear door on the driver's side, and then return to the waiting individual and make a second hand-to-hand transaction.
Acting on this information, officers responded to the location just before 1:00 p.m., and found Lebron as described. A search of his truck yielded a black backpack containing a glass jar of plant matter, a medium zippered plastic bag containing several smaller baggies of plant material, a digital scale and several hundred unused small baggies. The plant matter all reportedly returned positive results when field tested for marijuana.
Lebron was subsequently arrested and charged with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana within 1000 feet of a school, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Unable to immediately post bail, he was remanded into custody to await his advice of rights hearing
In court on Wednesday, Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull found probable cause to uphold both charges against Lebron, and set bail at $7,500, with the provision that he can be released upon payment of 10% in cash, with the remainder as an unsecured bond.
Once released from detention, the usual restrictions on travel and identification documents will apply to Lebron, and he will be required to report to the probation office twice a week in person. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 21.
