St. Thomas, USVI- Rehelio Trant, 39, of St. Thomas, made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller after being charged in an indictment with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Gretchen C. F. Shappert announced. Trant was detained pending further proceedings.
According to the indictment, on Oct. 16, 2017, the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) received a report from an individual that Trant brandished a firearm after a verbal confrontation with the individual. The indictment further states that Trant was previously convicted in District Court of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and that he is not licensed in the Virgin Islands to possess a firearm.
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Shappert 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.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the VIPD. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
