St. Thomas, USVI - Anthony Williams, Sr., 47, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, made his initial appearance May 12, 2016, before U.S. Magistrate Judge RuthMiller after being charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced. Williams was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond, electronic monitoring and a curfew.
According to the Indictment filed on Jan. 14, 2016, Williams was found in possession of a 9mm caliber Taurus pistol on the grounds of the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas campus. He was previously convicted in the District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm during drug trafficking and possession in commerce of a stolen firearm.
Under federal law, if convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Williams faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Sharpe reminds the public that an Indictment is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
This case is the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Virgin Islands Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nelson Jones.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
