St. Thomas, USVI - District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, sentenced Keon I. Smith, 29, to 15 months in prison, for possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
On June 11, 2014, Smith pleaded guilty to count one of a three-count information charging him with possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Court records show that on March 21, 2014, officers of the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) conducted a traffic stop of Smith in the area of the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas. A strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle prompted the officers to conduct a search of the vehicle. The officers discovered a Glock Model 26, 9mm firearm, with its serial number obliterated in the back pouch of the front passenger seat. A check of VIPD records revealed that Smith was not licensed to possess a firearm.
In addition to 15 months in prison, Smith received three years’ supervised release, was ordered to pay a fine of $3,000 and a $100 special assessment. Smith was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the VIPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Everard E. Potter prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
