A St. Croix resident has been charged with six felonies after authorities discovered him in possession of an unlicensed, defaced 9mm pistol and loaded magazines near an elementary school in Frederiksted.
Devonte K. Gonsalves was taken into custody on August 5 following an incident at Estate Grove Place, near the Cozy Corner Bar. The black Glock 17 Gen 4 he was carrying had its serial numbers deliberately removed from the barrel, right side, and bottom receiver plate, making identification impossible, according to court filings from Acting Criminal Division Chief Dellon Dellop.
The location raised immediate concern: the weapon was recovered just 814 feet from Eulalie R. Rivera K-8 Elementary School, placing it well within the 1,000-foot protective perimeter established by both federal and local law. Police also recovered two 17-round magazines holding a total of 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition, one containing 15 rounds and the other 12.
Gonsalves holds no firearms or ammunition license in the US Virgin Islands.
The case also includes drug-related charges. Officers found packaged cannabis at the scene along with items suggesting distribution activity: a red digital scale and Bambu rolling papers. The six charges against him cover unauthorized firearm possession, carrying a firearm within a school zone, unlawful ammunition possession, tampering with firearm identification marks, drug paraphernalia possession, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
He appeared before Magistrate Judge Yolan Brow Ross in Kingshill for his Advice of Rights hearing.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.