St. Croix, USVI -Shawki Thomas, 25, was arrested today and charged by criminal complaint with Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number and Unlawful Mailing of a Firearm, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. After his arrest, Thomas made his initial appearance in District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon. Judge Cannon ordered Thomas to remain in custody pending a detention hearing Friday.
If convicted of Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number, Thomas faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. If convicted of Unlawful Mailing of a Firearm, Thomas faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
United States Attorney Sharpe reminds the public that a criminal complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Stringer.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
