St. Thomas – Achille Heywood, 32, made his initial appearance Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller after being charged in a four-count information with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute Narcotics and use of a firearm during the commission of drug trafficking, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced late Tuesday.
Heywood was released after posting 10% of a $35,000 bond.
According to the information, which was filed June 16 in District Court on St. Thomas, Heywood was found in possession of a firearm and ammunition after he was convicted in the Superior Court of unauthorized possession of a firearm.
If convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon or possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, Heywood faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute narcotics, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and $1 million fine. For use of a firearm during the commission of drug trafficking, Heywood faces a mandatory consecutive sentence of five years in prison.
United States Attorney Sharpe reminded the public that an information 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 Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
Tags: federal charges, us virgin islands st thomas
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