Dominican Republic National Charged With Alien In Possession Of Firearm

ST. CROIX — Rolando Torres De La Cruz, 25, was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller after being charged in an indictment with alien in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.

Mr. De La Cruz was arrested on April 22, 2016, by Special Agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and officers with the Virgin Islands Police Department. Judge Miller ordered the defendant placed on home detention. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

According to court records, on February 11, 2015, De La Cruz, who is unlawfully present in the United States from the Dominican Republic, transferred a stolen .22 caliber Ruger Rifle to a second man who in turn sold the firearm.

This case was investigated by the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the VIPD. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Stringer.