ST. THOMAS -- On Monday, October 26, 2015, Tequan Joseph, 23, pleaded guilty in District Court on St. Thomas to conspiracy to ship firearms with obliterated serial numbers, unlawful transportation of those firearms, and to a Middle District of Florida charge of false statement in connection with purchase of a firearm, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Sentencing is scheduled for February 25, 2016.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, between August 10, 2013, and October 7, 2013, Joseph conspired with other individuals to unlawfully purchase firearms and mail those firearms with obliterated serial numbers from Jacksonville, Florida, to this island. A total of six firearms were shipped and recovered.
Joseph is not a federal licensed firearms dealer and is not authorized to possess those firearms in the territory. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Additionally, Joseph faces a maximum of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the Middle District of Florida firearms charge.
This case is the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte
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